Accredited claims agent vs. unaccredited claims consultant
Updated July 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Esteban Magallon, VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Only individuals accredited by the VA Office of General Counsel may prepare, present, and prosecute a VA claim. Unaccredited companies market themselves as coaches, consultants, or medical-evidence services to work around that rule.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | VA-Accredited Claims Agent | Unaccredited "Claims Consultant" / Coaching Company |
|---|---|---|
| Authorized to represent you before VA | Yes — OGC accredited | No |
| Can be named on VA Form 21-22a | Yes | No |
| Receives VA decisions and correspondence | Yes | No — you forward everything |
| Fee rules | No fee on initial claims; capped contingency on appeals (§ 14.636) | Unregulated — often 3–5x the monthly increase, charged up front |
| Accountability if something goes wrong | VA OGC can suspend or cancel accreditation | None through VA |
| Verifiable credential | Public VA OGC accreditation search | Not listed |
| Can sign and file forms for you | Yes | No |
Bottom line
Check any representative in the VA OGC accreditation database before signing anything. If a company cannot be found there, it cannot represent you — and a fee for claim assistance from an unaccredited party is unlawful.
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
Accredited claims agent vs. unaccredited claims consultant
A VA-accredited claims agent is authorized under 38 CFR § 14.629 to act as your representative, can be listed on VA Form 21-22a, receives VA correspondence, and may charge only a regulated fee on appeals under 38 CFR § 14.636. An unaccredited consultant cannot legally represent you before VA, cannot be named on a power of attorney, and charging a fee for claim assistance is prohibited by 38 U.S.C. § 5901 — flat fees or a multiple of your monthly increase are the most common red flags.
Which is better: VA-Accredited Claims Agent or Unaccredited "Claims Consultant" / Coaching Company?
Check any representative in the VA OGC accreditation database before signing anything. If a company cannot be found there, it cannot represent you — and a fee for claim assistance from an unaccredited party is unlawful.
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.