VA-Accredited Claims Agent vs. Unaccredited Claim Company
Updated July 15, 2026 · Reviewed by Esteban Magallon, VA-Accredited Claims Agent
'Claim sharks' are private companies that charge veterans for VA claim help without VA accreditation. This is a compliance and legality comparison — not a marketing one.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | VA-Accredited Claims Agent | Unaccredited 'Claim Shark' Company |
|---|---|---|
| Listed in VA OGC accreditation database | Yes — verifiable in seconds | No |
| Fee on initial claims | $0 (prohibited by regulation) | Often thousands of dollars |
| Fee taken from monthly comp | Never — only past-due lump sum | Often — indefinite monthly cuts |
| Written VA-compliant fee agreement | Required | Not filed with VA |
| Fee cap | 33⅓% max, 20% presumed reasonable | None — often 5× the amount at stake |
| Complaint recourse | VA OGC investigates | State AG / FTC only |
| Legality of charging a fee | Federally authorized | Federal violation (38 USC § 5904) |
Bottom line
Only VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives can charge a veteran for VA claim work. If a company is not listed in the OGC database at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation, they cannot legally charge you — no matter what their contract says.
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
VA-Accredited Claims Agent vs. Unaccredited Claim Company
An accredited claims agent is authorized by the VA Office of General Counsel under 38 CFR § 14.629 and may charge a contingency fee on past-due benefits — VA presumes 20% reasonable, with up to 33⅓% allowed if justified — on appeals only, with no fee on initial claims. Charging a veteran for VA claim assistance without accreditation violates 38 USC § 5904 and 38 CFR § 14.629 — regardless of what the company calls itself ('coach', 'consultant', 'benefits advocate').
Which is better: VA-Accredited Claims Agent or Unaccredited 'Claim Shark' Company?
Only VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives can charge a veteran for VA claim work. If a company is not listed in the OGC database at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation, they cannot legally charge you — no matter what their contract says.
Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. No specific outcome, rating, or approval can be guaranteed — results depend on the individual facts of each case and applicable law.