Find help

Accredited help, and how to tell it apart.

Veteran Service Officers assist veterans with their claims, and their services are free. Unaccredited claim sharks charge thousands for help that accredited representatives provide free or fee capped. Every group in this directory shows its accreditation.

Directory · Accreditation shown on every entry · Filing a claim with the VBA is always free

How this works

Free help exists. Here is how to recognize it. It should always be free.

Three kinds of representative are accredited by the VA. One of them is free by law. The other two can charge, but only under rules the VA reviews. Everyone else is a risk.

What a VSO does

A Veterans Service Organization officer prepares and files your claim and holds your Power of Attorney for it. Congressionally chartered and VA recognized organizations do this at no cost. Filing a claim with the VBA is always free.

Three kinds of accredited help

Each has its own rules. Read the short guide for the type before you pick a name from the directory.

Veterans Service Organizations: always free Accredited claims agents: may charge, VA reviewed Accredited attorneys: may charge, VA reviewed

Red flags

Wants money before you have a decision from the VA.

Asks for a share of your back pay or a guarantee of a rating.

Cannot be found on the VA accreditation search.

Read the warning on unaccredited consultants

Before you sign

Listed for awareness rather than endorsement. Accreditation changes. Check the name on the official VA search before you authorize anyone to represent you.

Verify at VA.gov ↗

AMVETSNational w/ local chaptersVeterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

AMVETS

Congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization offering free, VA-accredited assistance with disability claims, appeals, and benefits — at no cost to the veteran.

StatusFederally chartered VSO

Free. VSOs never charge veterans for claims help.

View details Official site ↗

DAVNational w/ local chaptersVeterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

Congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization offering free, VA-accredited assistance with disability claims, appeals, and benefits at no cost to the veteran.

StatusFederally chartered VSO

Free. VSOs never charge veterans for claims help.

View details Official site ↗

PVANational w/ local chaptersVeterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)

Congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization offering free, VA-accredited assistance with disability claims, appeals, and benefits. No cost to the veteran. Particular expertise serving veterans with spinal cord injury or disease.

StatusFederally chartered VSO

Free. VSOs never charge veterans for claims help.

View details Official site ↗

VVANational w/ local chaptersVeterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

Congressionally chartered Veterans Service Organization offering free, VA-accredited assistance with disability claims, appeals, and benefits — at no cost to the veteran. Founded to serve Vietnam-era veterans; now assists veterans of all eras.

StatusFederally chartered VSO

Free. VSOs never charge veterans for claims help.

View details Official site ↗

WWPNationalVeterans Service Organizations (VSOs)

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)

WWP offers a VA-accredited veterans service organization where their National Service Officers, who are also accredited, assist with filing and managing VA disability claims and appeals without any cost. WWP’s Benefits Service is usually only available to registered Post 9/11 veterans.

StatusVA-recognized VSO (not chartered)

Free. WWP never charge veterans for claims help.

View details Official site ↗

This directory is educational and is listed for awareness rather than endorsement. Accreditation status changes; verify any representative at the official VA source before signing a power of attorney. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.