Accredited Representative
An Accredited Representative serves as an advocate for veterans, their dependents, and survivors.
Accredited Representative
What is an Accredited Representative?
An Accredited Representative is an individual who has met stringent requirements set by the VA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) to provide legal and claims assistance to veterans. This accreditation signifies that the representative possesses the necessary knowledge and ethical standards to effectively represent claimants.
Types of Accredited Representatives
- Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Representatives: Affiliated with organizations like the American Legion, DAV, and VFW, these representatives provide free assistance throughout the claims process.
- Attorneys: Licensed attorneys, VA-accredited, offer legal counsel and representation, especially valuable for complex appeals.
- Claims Agents: Non-attorney professionals who have passed the VA’s accreditation exam, authorized to assist with claim preparation and representation.
What does an Accredited Representative do?
Key Responsibilities of an Accredited Representative include:
- Claims preparation and filing: Assisting veterans in gathering necessary evidence and accurately completing VA claim forms.
- Evidence gathering: Helping to obtain medical records, service records, and other crucial documentation.
- Appeals representation: Representing veterans in appeals before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).
- Navigating the VA process: Providing guidance on VA regulations, procedures, and deadlines.
- Advocacy: Acting as a strong advocate for veterans’ rights, ensuring their claims are handled fairly and efficiently.
- Decision review options: Helping veterans choose the best option for their decision review, whether it be a supplemental claim, higher level review, or board appeal.
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Our office is committed to making veterans aware of their VA benefits and helping qualified veterans receive benefits that the VA has denied. In appeals, we always seek to secure the compensation our injured veterans rightfully deserve to provide for themselves and their families.