Find the ones nearest you
Accredited in Lansing, MI
| Name | Phone | Type | Organization | Accredited | VA reg # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alicia Burton | 517-887-4388 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars | 2022 (est.) | 52328 |
| Cynthia Engler | 517-256-8373 | VSO representative | American Legion, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 2013 (est.) | 28557 |
| Nathan Harris | 517-887-4389 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers | 2024 (est.) | 56125 |
| Nathan Hiltunen | 517-887-4390 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers | 2026 (est.) | 61284 |
| John Howe | 202-543-2239switchboard | VSO representative | Veterans of Foreign Wars | 2022 (est.) | 52420 |
| Stefanie MacDonald | 800-642-4838 | VSO representative | American Legion, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 2017 (est.) | 41950 |
| Matthew Mitchell | 517-887-4332 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers | 2025 (est.) | 60267 |
| Amy Pocan | 517-887-4387 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars | 2009 (est.) | 13087 |
| Austin Ramey | 517-898-4270 | VSO representative | Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 2024 (est.) | 56126 |
| Rebekah Reeder | 517-887-4331 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars | 2025 (est.) | 59167 |
| Karli Refior | 800-642-4838 | VSO representative | Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 2021 (est.) | 51194 |
| Tommy Simpkins | 202-861-2700switchboard | VSO representative | American Legion | 2012 (est.) | 24298 |
| Steven Strzelecki | 800-642-4838 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 2023 (est.) | 54276 |
| John Taylor | 517-887-4386 | VSO representative | Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 2012 (est.) | 25016 |
| Barry Walter | 313-964-6510shared line also listed: 202-543-2239 | VSO representative | Veterans of Foreign Wars | 2009 (est.) | 13497 |
| Kayla Byrd-Daniels | 517-694-1300 | Attorney | — | 2021 | 50679 |
| Nicholas Kipa | 517-694-1300 | Attorney | — | 2018 | 44213 |
| Christopher Porco | 312-596-0520out-of-state | Attorney | — | 2008 | 10417 |
| Julius Pulley | 517-974-2826 | Attorney | — | 2017 | 42235 |
| Daniel Shawl | 517-908-3484 | Attorney | — | 2014 | 30293 |
2 of these listings ring a switchboard, not a desk
The VA publishes one phone number per representative, and for 2 of the people on this page that number is an organization's main line shared by hundreds of representatives across the country — not a direct line to them. It is marked switchboard in the table. Ask for the person by name and by VA registration number, and if you cannot get through, any other representative from the same organization can take the case.
Within 25 miles
| Name | Phone | Type | Organization | City | Accredited | VA reg # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michele Fickes | 313-964-6640shared line | VSO representative | American Legion | Charlotte | 2026 (est.) | 61715 |
| Thomas Lewis | 517-230-3625 | VSO representative | American Legion | Charlotte | 2015 (est.) | 33725 |
| Brandy Miller | (313) 964-6640shared line | VSO representative | American Legion | Charlotte | 2026 (est.) | 61882 |
| Susan Chalgian | —no phone published | Attorney | — | East Lansing | 2016 | 37731 |
| Susan Hellerman | 914-319-2573out-of-state | Attorney | — | East Lansing | 2017 | 40999 |
| Steven Neugent | 517-386-1127 | Attorney | — | Eaton Rapids | 2024 | 56070 |
The organizations behind these representatives
| Organization | Accredited reps nationally |
In Michigan | Median years accredited | Appointing them |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Legion | 3,712 | 202 | 5.5 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Disabled American Veterans | 1,675 | 132 | 5.1 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Jewish War Veterans of the USA | 157 | 5 | 8.5 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency | 137 | 89 | 5.1 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Natl Assoc'n of County Veterans Service Officers | 1,992 | 202 | 4.5 | Paper VA Form 21-22 only |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars | 2,297 | 145 | 5.4 | Accepts online POA requests |
Median years accredited is estimated from VA registration number sequence for VSO representatives, whose accreditation dates the VA does not publish; it is exact for attorneys and claims agents.
How stretched Michigan is
499,734 veterans live in Michigan and 478 accredited representatives of all kinds are listed there — about 1,045 veterans per representative.
That is a statewide ratio, not any one person's caseload, and not every veteran has a claim open. It is here because it is the only workload figure anyone publishes. Veteran counts: VA VetPop2023 State Estimates, FY2023.
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.
2026 base rates, all ratings (veteran alone)
| 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 |
What any of them may charge you
- VSO representatives cannot charge a fee. Ever. Not for filing, not for "document review", not a percentage of back pay (38 CFR 14.636(b)).
- Accredited attorneys and claims agents may charge, but only after the VA has issued an initial decision on the claim (38 USC 5904; 38 CFR 14.636(c)). Anyone charging to file your first claim is either not accredited or not allowed to.
- Nobody who is not on the VA's roster may prepare or prosecute your claim for a fee (38 CFR 14.629), whatever they call themselves.
Check any name on this page against the VA Office of General Counsel accreditation search before you sign a thing, or check a name or a whole list of registration numbers on our roster check. VetAid takes no payment for placement here and endorses nobody.
Elsewhere in Michigan
All accredited representatives in Michigan · Search by ZIP code
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