Filing your own VA disability claim is free and more achievable than most veterans realize. Hiring an accredited claims agent can cost you up to 20% of your back pay — which can mean tens of thousands of dollars. Here's an honest breakdown of when each approach makes sense.
A VA-accredited claims agent is an individual (not an attorney) who is accredited by the VA under 38 CFR 14.629 to represent veterans before the VA for a fee. Claims agents are not lawyers — they cannot represent you in federal court — but they can represent you at all levels of the VA administrative process, including Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, and Board of Veterans Appeals hearings.
Unlike VSOs (which are free), claims agents work on contingency. The federal fee cap under 38 CFR 14.636 is 20% of past-due (retroactive) benefits after a favorable final decision. They cannot charge upfront fees and cannot charge on ongoing monthly benefits.
Claims agents are distinct from:
The 20% contingency fee sounds modest — until you calculate what it actually means in dollars.
Scenario: Veteran rated at 70% with a 2-year retroactive period
Scenario: Veteran rated at 100% P&T with a 3-year retroactive period
Note: Back pay amounts depend on your effective date. Filing an Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) preserves your effective date for 12 months while you gather evidence.
These are real dollars — money that should go to you and your family — going to a third party for work you could potentially do yourself with the right tools.
Claims agents are only legally authorized to charge fees after a final agency decision. Any company asking for upfront payment for VA claims assistance is operating illegally. These are often called "claims consulting companies" or "VA benefits companies" — they are not accredited and their fees violate federal law.
Filing your own VA claim — or DIY filing — is not the risky, complicated process many veterans assume. With claim.vet, you have access to:
All of this is completely free. No percentage of your back pay. No contingency fees. No strings.
| Factor | DIY with claim.vet | VA Claims Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | Up to 20% of back pay |
| Condition identification | AI-powered, comprehensive | Agent's experience |
| Available 24/7 | Yes | Business hours |
| Official VA representative | No (you submit via VA.gov) | Yes — VA-accredited |
| Appeals representation | Guidance only | Full representation |
| Right for complex cases | Straightforward to moderate | Complex, high-stakes appeals |
| Wait time to start | Instant | Days to weeks |
| You retain full back pay | Yes | No — 20% fee |
DIY filing with claim.vet is the right approach for most veterans, especially when:
The vast majority of first-time VA disability claims are well-suited for self-filing. With the right preparation tools, many veterans achieve the same outcomes they would have gotten with a paid claims agent — while keeping 100% of their back pay.
There are situations where a VA-accredited claims agent (or VA attorney) provides real value:
If you do hire a claims agent, always verify their accreditation at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp before signing anything.
A cottage industry of predatory companies targets veterans with promises of guaranteed ratings and "expert" claims assistance — in exchange for illegal upfront fees or excessive percentages. These companies are not VSOs, not accredited claims agents, and not attorneys.
Upfront fees for initial claims · Guaranteed specific rating percentages · Monthly "subscription" fees for claim monitoring · Fees higher than 20% of past-due benefits · Pressure to sign immediately · Claims to be "VA-approved" (the VA approves individuals, not companies)
If you've encountered a potentially predatory claims company, report them to the VA's Office of General Counsel and your state attorney general.
claim.vet gives you every tool you need to file a strong VA disability claim yourself. No fees. No percentage. Just results.
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