Veterans are not locked into one Veteran Service Organization (VSO) or accredited representative. You can switch at any time, and doing so will not affect your claim negatively. Common national VSOs include the DAV, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Paralyzed Veterans of America, but quality and responsiveness can vary significantly by local chapter or individual representative, not just by organization name. A bad experience with one office does not mean every chapter of that same organization operates the same way.
To find a new representative, start with the VA's own accredited representative search tool at va.gov (search "VA accredited representative search"). This lets you filter by state and organization, and it lists individual accredited agents, attorneys, and VSO representatives, not just the big national groups. County and state veterans affairs offices often have their own service officers as well, and these are frequently underused but can be very responsive since caseloads may be smaller than at high-volume national VSO chapters.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →To formally switch representation, you generally file VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative) or VA Form 21-22a (Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative) naming the new representative. This automatically supersedes the prior appointment for VA purposes; you do not need to formally "fire" the old VSO yourself, though it's courteous to notify them. Some veterans also choose to work directly with an accredited claims agent or attorney, especially for complex or previously denied claims, though these professionals can only charge fees for work on claims after a decision has already been made, per 38 CFR 14.636.
When evaluating a new VSO or representative, ask about typical response times, whether they will let you review the claim file and evidence before submission, and whether they specialize in the type of claim you are filing (initial claim, increase, appeal). Personal referrals from other veterans in your area, especially from local Facebook or subreddit groups for your state, tend to be more reliable than picking blind from a directory.
As a next step, use the VA's accredited representative search tool to identify individual representatives in your specific counties in New Hampshire and Vermont, then contact a few directly to ask about their current caseload and communication practices before signing a new 21-22 or 21-22a.
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