Limits on Non-VA Accredited Organizations and Red Flags to look out for…
Typically, organizations without VA accreditation cannot assist Veterans in filing, preparing, or representing VA claims. However, some companies attempt to bypass this limitation by having Veterans submit paperwork after the company has already filled it out and discussed what to file for. This is illegal. This approach is questionable and may involve shady sales tactics, such as promoting the service's accuracy as a justification for payment. This situation can be concerning for Veterans who may feel vulnerable, despite the company's seemingly legitimate reasoning.
Question: Is VA accreditation required to assist a veteran in preparing his or her claim?
Response: Yes. Accreditation means the authority granted by VA to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits. 38 C.F.R. § 14.627(a). Unaccredited individuals may provide other services to veterans so long as they do not assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits. - VA.gov
At VPFNC, we prioritize ethical and moral considerations for both Veterans and ourselves. As such, we refrain from advising you on what actions to take. Instead, we provide education on potential qualifications and direct you to relevant organizations such as the VA. Our goal is to equip you with knowledge and information to support you in making informed decisions, whether you choose to seek assistance independently or not.
To protect yourself, here are some links to useful sites that cover these very topics:
Office of General Counsel, Veterans Affairs
https://www.va.gov/ogc/
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/coaches-consultants-advertise-ability-to-assist-with-va-benefits-claim-but-may-not-be-accredited/
I don’t understand the process and what the disability rating means, where can I find information?
The 38CFR can be one of your best resources. This is the regulation that covers VA Disability and Compensation. Below is the link.
https://www.benefits.va.gov/WARMS/bookc.asp#c
How to request Military Records
If you are unable to obtain military records from the VA and lost paperwork such as DD214(s) and Military Medical Treatment Records, this could be a good resource to get hard-to-find documents. Understand that National Archies may not have some records due to a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.
https://www.archives.gov/veterans
If your records were destroyed you fall into one of the two categories below, please use the link below:
https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/reconstruct-records/
“The Army between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960. The fire destroyed 80% of the records held for Veterans discharged from the Army during this time period. The fire didn't involve records for retirees and Reservists who were alive on July 12, 1973.” - VA.gov
“Or the Air Force between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964. The fire destroyed 75% of the records held for Veterans discharged from the Air Force during this time period with surnames beginning with “Hubbard” and running through the end of the alphabet.” - VA.gov
If this is you