The short answer
VA lists three accredited types: a VSO representative, an attorney, or a claims agent. On VA benefit claims, VA writes that accredited VSO help is always free. An accredited attorney or claims agent can charge fees. Appointing a new accredited representative replaces the current one. An unaccredited coach, Facebook helper, or paid organizer is not this process — they are not appointed on VA's file with VA Form 21-22 or VA Form 21-22a. This page is education, not a recommendation of any person or firm.
The mix-up
Veterans pay someone who is not on the VA file and treat that as representation. Or they assume a Facebook helper, claims coach, or packet organizer is already appointed because they talked about the claim. VA's appointment process is narrower than that.
- Paid help is not the same as an appointment. VA's get-help page (last updated January 23, 2025) is about accredited VSO representatives, accredited attorneys, and accredited claims agents. That is the list VA uses for this process.
- A helper you found online is not appointed until VA's form is done. VA says both you and the accredited representative must sign, then submit the form. Talking in a group is not that signature.
VA's Accredited Representatives page (last updated June 21, 2025) prints this warning: “Beware unaccredited individuals who prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims, or hold themselves out as being authorized to do so, are in violation of Federal law.” That is VA's sentence, not a recommendation of any helper.
Organizing records for yourself is still useful. It is not the same as naming someone on VA's file. This note stays on accreditation and the two appointment forms. It does not tell you whom to hire.
What accreditation means on VA.gov
The facts below come from VA's Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO page, last updated January 23, 2025. If a thread and the live page disagree, the live page wins.
VA opens with this sentence: “An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review.”
Under “Types of accredited representatives,” VA lists three:
- Accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives
- Accredited attorneys
- Accredited claims agents
VA says those individuals can provide responsible, qualified representation on your VA benefit claims. That is VA's wording for the three types — not a ranking, and not a promise about your claim.
What VA writes about fees
On the same page, next to the search tool, VA prints this exact fee language: “the services an accredited VSO representative provides on your VA benefit claims are always free. But an accredited attorney or claims agent can charge you fees for their services.”
Read that as written. VSO help on benefit claims is free as VA writes it. Attorneys and claims agents may charge. The get-help page and the accredited-representative FAQs (last updated August 8, 2024) do not print a percentage cap, and this article does not invent one.
If you ask when an attorney or claims agent may charge, that FAQ page says they can charge fees for their services only after all of these are true:
- VA made a decision on the initial claim, and
- VA received a fee agreement signed by both you and the accredited attorney or claims agent, and
- VA received your VA Form 21-22a appointing that attorney or claims agent as your representative.
The same FAQ says some accredited attorneys and claims agents provide services for free on initial claims. Confirm any cost with the person you contact and with the live VA.gov text.
Check whether you already have one
VA does not walk through an account lookup on that page. It says two things, and this note does not add a third method:
- “We don't automatically assign you an accredited representative, but you may have appointed one in the past.”
- “If you appoint a new accredited representative, they will replace your current one.”
VA's accredited-representative FAQs add: “You can discharge your accredited representative at any time and for any reason. Or, you can appoint a new accredited representative to replace your current one.” That page says to tell the former representative right away.
If you are unsure whether someone is already on the file, start with the live get-help page. That page lists 800-698-2411, ext. 0 (TTY: 711) for questions and says VA is there 24/7. Replacing a current representative is a real consequence VA names — do not treat a second appointment as an add-on.
Find, contact, and appoint
VA says it does not automatically assign you someone. If you want an accredited representative, VA tells you to use its search tool, contact the person, then appoint them on the matching form.
- Find one. Use VA's find-a-representative search. That is VA's tool, not this site.
- Contact them. VA says to ask if they are available to help you. If you want an accredited VSO representative, also ask which organization to name on the form. The FAQ page says: “When you choose a representative to work with, you usually appoint the Veterans Service Organization as a whole to represent you. You may then work with different representatives associated with that organization without filling out another form.”
- Use the form that matches the type. Appoint online from the get-help page, or fill out the PDF. A VSO appointment is VA Form 21-22 — Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative (revision July 2023; form page last updated May 28, 2026). That form page says: “Use VA Form 21-22 when you want to have a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) help you with VA benefits or claims.” An attorney or claims agent appointment is VA Form 21-22a — Appointment of Individual As Claimant's Representative (revision July 2023; form page last updated May 28, 2026). VA's 21-22a page says to use that form when you want an individual to help with your claim or benefits.
- Both of you sign. VA says both you and the accredited representative need to sign the form.
- Submit it. VA lists three ways: upload through AccessVA QuickSubmit; mail to the address on the get-help page for your benefit type (compensation, pension and survivor benefits, Board Appeal, or fiduciary); or bring it in person to a VA regional office. This article does not invent a fourth path.
Mail addresses sit on the get-help page by benefit type. Confirm the live address before you send anything. Questions about the process go to the phone VA prints on that page: 800-698-2411, ext. 0 (TTY: 711), 24/7.
What this page is not
This is not a recommendation of a VSO, attorney, claims agent, or any named helper. It is not fee-cap advice and it does not price anyone's services. It is not a substitute for reading the live VA.gov pages linked here. It is not accredited representation. My Claim Packet by VA Disability Max is independent of VA. Educational only. Confirm the live VA.gov text before you act.
Organizing a packet is not an appointment
The condition catalog and public guides stay free. Founding Pass unlocks the dashboard so you can keep what you find and export a packet — details on the Pass page. That is organization. It does not file, it does not represent you, and it does not put anyone on VA's file. Appointing an accredited representative is the VA process on this page: find, contact, sign Form 21-22 or 21-22a, and submit it the way VA lists.
Quick answers
What types of accredited representatives does VA list?
VA's get-help page lists three: accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representatives, accredited attorneys, and accredited claims agents. An accredited attorney, claims agent, or VSO representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review.
Is VSO help free? Can an attorney or claims agent charge?
VA writes that VSO services on your VA benefit claims are always free. The FAQ page says an attorney or claims agent can charge only after VA made a decision on the initial claim, received a fee agreement signed by both of you, and received Form 21-22a. Some provide free help on initial claims. This page does not invent a fee cap, a percentage, or a dollar amount.
Does VA automatically assign me a representative?
No. VA says it does not automatically assign you an accredited representative, but you may have appointed one in the past. Read the live get-help page if you are not sure.
What happens if I appoint a new accredited representative?
VA's accredited-representative FAQs say you can discharge your accredited representative at any time and for any reason, or appoint a new one to replace the current one. The get-help page says a new appointment replaces the current one. Tell the former representative right away, as that FAQ page writes it.
Which form do I use — 21-22 or 21-22a?
VA Form 21-22 is for a VSO: VA's form page says to use it when you want a Veterans Service Organization to help with VA benefits or claims. When you choose a VSO, VA says you usually appoint the organization as a whole and may work with different representatives of that organization without another form. VA Form 21-22a is for an individual attorney or claims agent. Both you and the representative must sign.
How do I submit the appointment form?
VA says you or the representative can submit the signed form through AccessVA QuickSubmit, by mail to the address on the get-help page for your benefit type, or in person at a VA regional office. For questions, that page lists 800-698-2411, ext. 0 (TTY: 711), 24/7.
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Educational only. Not legal, medical, or accredited representation. My Claim Packet by VA Disability Max is independent of VA. No guaranteed rating or outcome. Confirm live VA.gov text before you act. Sources: VA.gov Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO (January 23, 2025); VA.gov VA accredited representative FAQs (August 8, 2024); VA.gov VA Form 21-22 (May 28, 2026); VA.gov VA Form 21-22a (May 28, 2026); benefits.va.gov Accredited Representatives (June 21, 2025). This article does not invent fee caps, ratings, or dollar amounts.