Federal law strictly limits who can charge veterans for help with VA disability claims and how much they can charge. Under 38 U.S.C. § 5905 and related VA regulations, only VA-accredited attorneys, accredited claims agents, and accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives are permitted to assist veterans with claims for compensation. VSO assistance is free, and it is worth trying that route first through organizations like the DAV, VFW, American Legion, or a state department of veterans affairs.
Accredited attorneys and agents may charge a fee, but only after a claim has been filed and only for representation on that claim, typically a percentage of past-due (retroactive) benefits awarded, usually capped around 20 to 33.3 percent depending on the fee agreement and whether it was reviewed by VA. Fees cannot legally be charged for simply helping someone file an initial claim, filling out forms, or gathering evidence before a decision exists. Any company or individual charging large upfront fees, monthly fees, or fees tied to future ratings for basic claims preparation is very likely operating outside what the law allows, especially if they are not listed in VA's directory of accredited representatives, which can be checked directly on the VA website.
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 |
Does your rating decision hold up under a real audit?
Upload your decision letter and C&P exams — VetAid's analyzer reads the full file, checks every examiner statement word-for-word against your records, and shows which arguments for a higher rating actually hold. Free, and we never take a cut of your back pay.
Analyze my claim free →If a company charged a veteran a large sum for claims help and is not accredited, that arrangement may be unenforceable, and the veteran may have grounds to dispute the charge, seek a refund, or file a complaint. Complaints can be directed to VA's Office of General Counsel (which handles accreditation), the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if financing or credit was involved, and the state attorney general's office, since deceptive business practices and unauthorized practice claims often fall under state consumer protection law. Veterans who already have a pending claim do not need to pay anyone to check on its status, submit additional evidence, or file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995), Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996), or Notice of Disagreement (VA Form 10182); these can all be done directly with VA or through a free accredited representative.
A veteran who paid for this kind of help should gather all contracts, receipts, and communications, verify whether the company or individual was VA-accredited, and file complaints with VA's Office of General Counsel and their state attorney general's office while switching to a free accredited VSO or attorney for ongoing claims work.
Need a deeper analysis?
Our AI checks your situation against outcome data from 1,900,000+ Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) decisions (1992–2025).
Analyze Your Claim FreeVetAid is a free veterans claims tool, not a VA-accredited representative — it does not file anything with VA for you, and it works alongside your accredited VSO, claims agent or attorney. About VetAid