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Questions to ask before you sign a fee agreement

What VA requires in a fee agreement, and what to ask.

What VA requires

  • The agreement must be in writing and signed by you and the attorney or claims agent.
  • It must say whether VA will pay the fee directly out of past-due benefits.
  • It must be filed with VA within 30 days (direct-pay agreements with VA's Evidence Intake Center; others with VA's Office of General Counsel).
  • No fee or gift may be charged for help with an initial claim before VA's initial decision.
  • VA can review a fee and reduce one that is excessive or unreasonable.

Questions to ask

  1. Are you accredited by VA? (Check VA's search yourself.)
  2. How much is the fee, and how is it calculated?
  3. Will VA pay you directly from my past-due benefits, or will I pay you?
  4. If the fee is over 33⅓%, why?
  5. What exactly will you handle, and is anything left out?
  6. What happens to the fee if I discharge you, or you withdraw before benefits are awarded?
  7. How will we communicate about the claim, and how often?
  8. Can I have a copy of the signed agreement?

A fee agreement can't stop VA from contacting you, and it can't take away your right to dispute a fee.

Sources: 38 CFR 14.636; VA OGC: tips on fee agreements; VA FAQs

Checked November 9, 2026.

Before you choose anyone: Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives and government veterans service offices help for free. Accredited attorneys and claims agents generally may not charge for help with an initial claim, and may charge only after VA's initial decision on the claim, under 38 CFR 14.636.

claim.vet doesn't endorse anyone listed here and isn't paid by anyone listed here. Every representative listing comes from VA's Office of General Counsel. Always confirm accreditation on VA's official accreditation search.

Is this listing wrong?

claim.vet shows information exactly as VA publishes it, and we can't change it. Representatives can update their information with VA's Office of General Counsel at ogcaccreditationmailbox@va.gov. Changes appear here after our next update from VA's list.