The law
Federal law says no fee may be charged for help with a claim before the VA decides it. Only accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge at all, and only after the VA’s initial decision, with a signed fee agreement on file with the VA. Help from accredited Veterans service organizations is always free.
Warning signs
- Asking you to pay, or sign a contract to pay, for help with a first claim.
- Promising a 100% rating or faster processing.
- Asking for your Social Security number, login or signature on blank forms before you’ve checked who they are.
- Calling themselves “consultants” or “coaches” instead of accredited representatives.
The VA’s own advice: do not pay anyone to help you file an initial claim.
Check anyone before you trust them
Search the VA’s accreditation list. If someone isn’t listed, they aren’t authorized to help with VA claims. Recognized Veterans service organizations are listed too.
Report it
Report fraud or scams targeting Veterans to VSAFE at 833-388-7233 (833-38V-SAFE) or vsafe.gov.
Congress has been considering a bill (the GUARD VA Benefits Act, H.R. 1732) to add penalties for unaccredited claim help. As of October 2026 it has been introduced and had committee hearings, but has not passed.
Sources
- 38 U.S.C. 5904 (fees for representation)
- 38 CFR 14.636 (payment of fees)
- VA: Accredited representative FAQs
- VA Benefits: Fraud prevention
- VA OGC accreditation search
- Congress.gov: H.R. 1732 actions
Plain-language help from Veterans, not legal advice. Rules change; the official pages above are the final word. RateMyVA is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.