By Larry Dandridge
A VA-Accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Veterans, military members, and their families should first seek help from VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) before using a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent because VSO services are free. If the VA does not recognize someone, they can’t legally help you with a VA benefit claim.
VSOs
An accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you gather evidence, file a claim, or request a decision review. They can also communicate with the VA on your behalf. They have completed training with their state Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA, and a Veterans Service Organization (like the American Legion, VVA, DAV, etc.) and passed VA claims and decision review tests. Accredited VSOs work for Veterans Service Organizations.
VA-accredited attorneys
An accredited attorney usually works on decision reviews and cases that require legal knowledge. They can charge fees for their services. Accredited attorneys don’t have to take a test about VA claims and decision reviews. But they have to be members of the bar association in good standing.
VA-accredited claims agents
An accredited claims agent usually works on decision reviews. Claims Agents must pass a written test about VA laws and procedures. They can charge fees.
When can an accredited attorney or claims agent charge fees?
An accredited attorney or claims agent can charge you fees for their services only after all of these are true:
- The VA made a decision on your initial claim; and
- The VA received a fee agreement signed by both you and the accredited attorney or claims agent; and
- The VA received your VA Form 21-22a appointing the accredited attorney or claims agent as your representative.
Before choosing someone to help you with your claim, ensure they are accredited by the VA. You will also want to discuss the fee amount, how it will be paid, and what happens if you discharge the attorney or claims agent. And you will want to discuss what happens if they withdraw from representation before an award of benefits.
What happens to the veteran’s fee arrangement if the veteran discharges his or her representative?
If a veteran enters into a fee agreement with an accredited attorney or claims agent and the veteran is discharged, or the attorney or claims agent withdraws from the case before benefits are awarded, the VA urges the veteran to review their agreement and discuss their contributions to the case at the time of their discharge or withdrawal.
In some cases, when only a small amount of work has been done on the case, the accredited attorney or claims agent may waive their eligibility for fees at that time. If they don’t, and the veteran receives a favorable decision on their claim, the accredited attorney or claims agent may be eligible to receive the total amount in your fee agreement. If the veteran disagrees with the amount, they may (quickly) request that the Office of General Counsel review the fee to ensure it is fair.
Veterans can find out about VA-accredited VSOs, Claims Agents, and Attorneys at:
- Find a VA Accredited Representative or VSO at https://bit.ly/4g9yGdW.
- Get Help from a VA-Accredited Representative of VSO at https://bit.ly/3WwDXmN.
- VA Accredited Representative Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) at https://bit.ly/3TcLOoK.
- VA List of VA-recognized Veterans Service Organizations (Also called VSOs)” at https://bit.ly/3MuByo9.
- VA search tool “Find an Accredited Representative or VSO at https://bit.ly/4g9yGdW.
- VA Office of General Counsel “How to Challenge a Fee” at https://bit.ly/47c4jzu.
- Consumer Financial Protective Bureau (CFPB) Warning Article titled “WARNO: They call themselves ‘coaches’ or ‘consultants’ and advertise their ability to assist you with your VA benefits claim but may not be accredited to practice before the VA,” By Joshua Friedman and Krystle Good, dated February 15, 2023, at https://bit.ly/3ZaPqeO.
- Office of General Counsel FAQ at https://bit.ly/4dMBb4q.
- The VA phone question center is 800-698-2411, ext. 0 (TTY: 711). The phone is answered 24/7.
- The SC Department of Veteran Affairs website at https://scdva.sc.gov.
SC County VSOs
Each SC county has a Veterans Affairs Office. Veterans can find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. Find Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7.
How to search Nationwide for VSOs
Veterans and their family members can also search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs, Attorneys, and Claims Agents) nationwide at https://bit.ly/3QnCk5M.
Find a VSO at the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Headquarters
Veterans and their family members can also search for VA-accredited representatives (VSOs) at VBA Regional Offices at https://bit.ly/3WQp0e3. VSOs co-located in the Columbia, S.C. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Regional Office frequently travel throughout the state to help veterans. Contact information:
- Disabled American Veterans – 803-647-2422.
- American Legion/SCDVA – 803-647-2434.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – 803-647-2443.
- Paralyzed Veterans (PVA) – 803-647-2432.
Some SC VSOs in The Island News footprint
- Beaufort County, Director Caroline Fermin, 100 Clear Water Way, Beaufort, S.C. 29906, 843-255-6880, https://bit.ly/3ryd5qS.
- Beaufort DAV Chapter, Chapter Service Officer Michael Vergantino, 843-301-2543 an mlv1030@gmail.com.
- Jasper County, Alton Jenkins, 651 Grays Highway, Ridgeland, S.C. 29936, Phone: 843-726-7727, ajenkins@jaspercountysc.gov.
- Hampton County, Daryl Harris, B. T. Deloach Building, 201 Jackson Avenue, West, Hampton, S.C. 29924, 803-914-2085.
- Colleton County, Janet Smith, 219 S. Lemacks Street, Suite 124, Walterboro, S.C. 29488, 843-549-1412, cvao@colletoncounty.org.
- Charleston County, David LeBlanc, Lonnie Hamilton III Public Services Building, Suite B-154 (First Floor),4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston, S.C. 29405, 843-974-6360, vaoffice@charlestoncounty.org
- Berkeley County, Gerald Baxley, 212, Oakley Plantation Drive, Moncks Corner, S,C. 29461, 843-723-3800, Ext. 4023, Moncks Corner 843-719-4023, St. Stephen 843-567-3136, Ext. 4023.
- Dorchester County, Johnny Brown, 500 North Main Street, Summerville, S.C., 843-832-0050 and 201 Johnston Street, St. George, S.C., 843-563-0116.
Some Georgia VSOs in The Island News footprint
- Chatham County, Ga., Manager Miguel Rivera (Bi-Lingual), 912-920-0214, Ext. 2412191, Miguel.rivera5@va.gov, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga., 31419. Also, VSO Sheri Shellman, 912-920-0214, Ext. 412194, and VSO Robert Jones, 912-920-0214, Ext. 412193. Located in the Savannah VA Outpatient Clinic.
- Liberty County & Hinesville, Ga., Shannon Daniels, 912-408-2948, shannon.daniels@vs.state.ga.us, and Dennis Boothe, 912-408-2900, Ext. 352750, dennis.boothe@vs.state.ga.us, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga., 31313. Located inside the Hinesville VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.
The bottom line
If you are a veteran, military member, family member, caregiver, or survivor of a veteran, you should ask a local VSO to (1.) explain your veteran’s state and federal benefits and (2.) help you file for them. Call and make an appointment now with your VSO.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
