VA Disability Help Near Me
Whether you are searching for a veterans service officer, a claims agent, or a disability attorney, the first thing to check is VA accreditation — not distance. Oakridge Claims is a VA-accredited claims agent practice run by a Marine Corps veteran and registered nurse, working remotely with veterans nationwide.
VSO vs. claims agent vs. attorney
| Who they are | Cost | Best fit for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| County / state VSO (Veterans Service Officer) | Free — initial claims and post-decision representation | Filing an initial claim, gathering records, straightforward increases | Caseloads are large, so contact time per veteran can be limited. VSOs cannot charge fees at any stage. |
| Oakridge Claims — VA-accredited claims agent | Initial claims: no fee for accepted cases* · Post-decision: 20% contingency on eligible past-due benefits when applicable under a written fee agreement | Appeals, higher-level review, supplemental claims, underrated decisions, TDIU, effective-date disputes, DIC — plus initial claims accepted based on case fit and current availability | Cannot represent you at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) — that requires an attorney. |
| VA-accredited attorney or other accredited claims agent | Initial claim: fee arrangements vary; applicable VA fee rules apply (no fee may be charged before a decision) · Post-decision: permitted fees may apply | CAVC appeals and complex legal questions | Same VA fee rules apply; practices differ in whether they take initial claims. |
| File directly with VA yourself | Free | Straightforward first claims where the service treatment records already tell the story | No one develops evidence or reviews the decision for you. |
| Unaccredited “claims consultant” | Often a flat fee or a multiple of your monthly increase | Nothing that an accredited representative cannot do | Charging for claim representation without VA accreditation conflicts with 38 CFR § 14.629. Verify anyone you hire in VA's accreditation search. |
Verify anyone before signing: how to verify VA accreditation. Deciding who to hire: how to choose VA disability representation.
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Not listed? Coverage is nationwide
Frequently asked
How do I find VA disability help near me?
Search VA's accreditation database for accredited VSOs, claims agents, and attorneys, then confirm the person's name appears there before signing anything. Representation does not have to be local — accreditation is federal, and most work today is handled by phone, video, and secure upload.
Do I need someone in my city to file a VA claim?
No. VA processes claims through a national intake system, and your representative can be located in any state. What matters is that they are VA-accredited and that a signed VA Form 21-22 or 21-22a is on file.
Where can I get free help filing a VA disability claim?
You can file directly with VA at no charge, work with a VA-accredited VSO for free, or work with an accredited representative that provides initial-claim representation without charge — no accredited representative may charge a fee before VA issues a decision (38 CFR § 14.636(c)). Oakridge Claims charges no fee for the initial claims it accepts and accepts them based on case fit and current availability; see the Fees page for when post-decision fees may apply.
Is a VSO or a claims agent better?
They serve different needs. A VSO is free and a good fit for initial filings. An accredited claims agent typically takes on appeals and evidence-heavy cases, charging only a contingent fee on past-due benefits actually awarded.
How much can a representative charge for a VA disability claim?
No one may charge for filing an original claim. On fee-eligible appeal stages, VA presumes 20% of past-due benefits is reasonable, but up to 33⅓% may be allowed if justified. Each practitioner sets their own fee within those limits, so the written fee agreement controls. Oakridge Claims charges 20%.
How do I verify someone is VA-accredited?
Use VA's Office of General Counsel accreditation search. Oakridge Claims lists its accreditation details on the verify-accreditation page.
Disclaimer: Oakridge Claims is a private business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Nothing on this page is legal advice or a guarantee of any outcome.