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This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.

What VA accreditation means

Based on Representation of veterans before VA is governed by 38 U.S.C. §§ 5901–5904 and 38 CFR Part 14, subpart A. The VA Office of the General Counsel (OGC) maintains the accreditation roll. This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).

Last reviewed: April 2026 · Next review: October 2026

Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.

Primary sources: 38 U.S.C. § 5901 (recognition of representatives), 38 U.S.C. § 5902 (recognized organizations), 38 U.S.C. § 5903 (recognition for particular claims), 38 U.S.C. § 5904 (agents, attorneys, and fees), 38 CFR Part 14, subpart A (legal services), VA OGC accreditation search

This page is for veterans and family members who have been approached by a company offering to help with a VA claim, or who want to understand who can and cannot legally represent a veteran before VA. It explains the three types of accredited representative, the narrow circumstances in which fees are permitted, and how to verify someone before handing over records.

Under federal law, only three groups of people may prepare, present, or prosecute a VA claim on a veteran's behalf: representatives of VA-recognized veterans service organizations, VA-accredited claims agents, and VA-accredited attorneys. That restriction comes from 38 U.S.C. § 5901[src] and 38 U.S.C. § 5904[src]. If someone who has not been accredited by VA offers to file a claim for you, they cannot legally do so, no matter what their marketing says.

Three types of accredited representatives

The VA Office of the General Counsel (OGC) maintains the accreditation roll. Each of the three categories has different rules about training, fees, and what work they are permitted to do.

  • VSO representatives (including CVSOs). These are representatives of VA-recognized veterans service organizations such as the VFW, DAV, AMVETS, American Legion, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and many state and county offices. VA recognizes the organization under 38 U.S.C. § 5902[src], and the organization certifies the individual representative. VSO and CVSO representation is free to the veteran for claim preparation and initial representation. Staff are either volunteers trained by the organization or government-funded employees (county and state offices are usually funded by local government).
  • Accredited claims agents.These are non-attorneys who have passed a written examination administered by VA OGC and completed VA's character and fitness review under 38 CFR § 14.629. Claims agents may charge a fee only in narrow circumstances described below.
  • Accredited attorneys.Attorneys in good standing with a state bar who have registered with VA OGC and completed the required VA-specific training. They remain bound by their state bar's rules of professional conduct in addition to VA's fee and conduct regulations.

A separate path, recognition for a particular claim under 38 U.S.C. § 5903[src], lets a veteran designate a specific person (for example, a relative) to help with a single claim. That one-time designation does not convert the person into an accredited representative for any other purpose, and no fee may be charged.

What accredited parties can charge

The fee rules are the part of the system that is most often misrepresented. The short version: on an initial claim, fees are prohibited; after an initial decision has issued, fees are permitted only under strict written-agreement rules.

  • Initial claims. Attorneys and accredited agents may not charge a fee for services rendered before VA issues an initial decision on a claim. VSOs and CVSOs never charge. This is the rule in 38 U.S.C. § 5904(c)(1)[src].
  • Post-decision work. After VA issues an initial decision, an accredited attorney or agent may enter into a written fee agreement for work on a disagreement, supplemental claim, higher-level review, or appeal to the Board. Under 38 CFR § 14.636[src], fees based on a percentage of past-due benefits are presumptively reasonable at or below 20%, may be allowed up to 33% depending on the facts, and are reviewable by VA for reasonableness in every case.
  • Written agreement required. Any fee agreement must be in writing, signed by both parties, and filed with VA. The veteran can ask VA to review the agreement for reasonableness even after signing.

Fees for filing the initial claim itself are not permitted for any accredited party. If a company advertises a flat fee or a percentage to file your first claim, that arrangement does not exist in the law.

How to verify someone is accredited

VA OGC runs a public accreditation search. Before you sign anything or share records, use it:

  1. Go to the VA OGC accreditation search.
  2. Choose the type of representative (attorney, claims agent, or VSO representative) and enter the person's first and last name, or the organization's name. State is optional but narrows the results.
  3. Read what the results show. An active accreditation listing includes the person's name, address of record, the organization they represent (for VSO reps), their accreditation date, and their current status. If the name does not appear, or appears with a "cancelled" or "suspended" status, they are not currently authorized to represent veterans before VA.

A legitimate accredited representative will expect you to verify them. Being asked to do so is not insulting; it is how the system is meant to work.

What unaccredited for-profit companies typically do

Several patterns show up again and again in complaints to VA OGC, state attorneys general, and the Federal Trade Commission. None of these patterns are compatible with the accreditation rules.

  • Charging a fee or a percentage on an initial claim. This is prohibited under 38 U.S.C. § 5904(c)(1) for anyone, accredited or not.
  • Promising outcomes such as a guaranteed rating increase, a guaranteed approval, or a guaranteed dollar amount. No accredited party can make those promises; rating decisions rest with VA based on the full record.
  • Contracts that auto-renew or require ongoing payments for "consulting," "coaching," or "support services" tied to your claim.
  • Requests for your Social Security number, service records, or medical records before they have disclosed their fee structure and been verified as accredited.
  • Advertising themselves as a "veterans advocacy group" or "claims consultant" in a way that implies representation. When the company is not accredited, it cannot legally file anything on your behalf. You would still have to file the claim yourself, which means the service is advisory at most, and the marketing is misleading.

Some of these arrangements are the subject of active state and federal enforcement actions. A company operating today does not mean a company operating lawfully.

When you might consider a paid accredited attorney or agent

Most veterans never need to pay a representative. Initial claims are handled well by VSOs and CVSOs, and their representation is free. There are, however, situations in which a paid accredited attorney or agent may be worth considering, usually at the appeal stage:

  • An appeal with real legal complexity, such as a Board remand that has gone through multiple cycles.
  • A case involving a character-of-discharge bar or a discharge upgrade question that needs both VA and DoD work.
  • A case with a contested medical nexus where independent expert opinion may be needed.
  • A case in which your CVSO or VSO has told you the facts are outside their usual scope and has referred you upward.

Even in those cases, verify the attorney or agent in the OGC search, read the fee agreement carefully, and ask whether a VSO could handle the work without a fee before you sign.

How to report a problem

If you believe a representative, accredited or not, has violated the law or VA's regulations, there are three places to report.

  • VA Office of the General Counsel. OGC investigates accreditation complaints and can cancel or suspend an accreditation. See the OGC page on accredited representatives and agents for the current complaint address and instructions.
  • Your state attorney general. Most state AGs have a consumer protection division that handles deceptive practices directed at veterans. Some states have dedicated veteran-fraud units.
  • The Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov, particularly for deceptive advertising or fee practices that cross state lines.

Keeping a paper trail helps. Save the contract, any emails, and any recordings or notes of phone calls. A complaint with documents attached moves faster than a complaint based on recollection alone.

Where to find free representation

The fastest path to accredited, no-cost help is usually a County Veterans Service Officer. County offices are funded through local government and are staffed by accredited representatives. National VSOs, including the American Legion, DAV, VFW, and AMVETS, also accredit representatives who work at no cost.

  • VA OGC accreditation search (same tool used for verification): va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.
  • VBN disability hub, which links to filing, evidence, and appeal resources: /benefits/disability.
  • State-specific "finding help" sections on each state page under /state, which point to the state department of veterans affairs and county offices.

Our role

Veterans Benefits Navigator is educational and is not VA-accredited under 38 U.S.C. § 5904[src]. This page explains the accreditation system so a veteran can recognize it and use it; we do not file claims, we do not represent veterans before VA, and we do not provide legal advice. When it is time to file or to appeal, the right next step is an accredited VSO, CVSO, claims agent, or attorney.

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