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How to appoint a representative

VA Form 21-22 for a VSO; VA Form 21-22a for an attorney or claims agent.

Pick the right form

• For an accredited VSO representative: VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative). You usually appoint the whole organization, so you can work with different representatives there without a new form.
• For an accredited attorney or claims agent: VA Form 21-22a (Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative). An attorney or agent may limit the appointment to a specific claim on this form.

Both you and the representative must sign. Without the representative's signature, the appointment is invalid.

How to submit it

You or the representative can submit the signed form in any of these 3 ways:

1. Upload it with the QuickSubmit tool through AccessVA.
2. Mail it. For help with a disability compensation claim: Department of Veterans Affairs Evidence Intake Center, PO Box 4444, Janesville, WI 53547-4444. Pension and survivor benefits: Department of Veterans Affairs Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365. A Board Appeal: Department of Veterans Affairs Board of Veterans' Appeals, PO Box 27063, Washington, DC 20038.
3. Bring it to a VA regional office.

Don't send these forms to VA's Office of General Counsel. VA doesn't assign a representative automatically, and appointing a new one replaces your current one.

Someone who isn't accredited may help with one claim for free, if they file VA Form 21-22a with a statement signed by both of you that no compensation will be charged or paid.

Sources: VA: get help from an accredited representative; VA FAQs; VA OGC accreditation; 38 CFR 14.631; 38 CFR 14.630

Checked November 9, 2026.