What a VSO is
A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is someone accredited by VA to help you prepare and file your disability claim, and their help is free. VSOs work for congressionally chartered or VA-recognized organizations like the VFW, DAV, American Legion, and Purple Heart, as well as your state or county veterans office.
VA accredits three kinds of representatives: VSO representatives, accredited attorneys, and accredited claims agents. The services an accredited VSO representative provides on your VA claim are always free.
What a VSO does for you
A good VSO can:
- Help you file your claim correctly the first time
- Help gather and organize your evidence, records, buddy statements, nexus letters
- Become your official representative through a power of attorney (VA Form 21-22) so VA works with them on your behalf
- Represent you through decision reviews, appeals, and Board hearings
- Help you track deadlines and claim every benefit you qualify for
What a VSO does not do
So you're not caught off guard:
- They are not doctors, they don't perform your C&P exam or write your diagnosis
- They can't guarantee a rating, the outcome depends on your evidence and your exam
- They never charge you to file your claim
When to get one
Earlier is better. You can bring in a VSO:
- Before you file, so the claim is built right from the start (ideal)
- Any time in the process, to take over, strengthen a weak claim, or handle an appeal
You don't have to use a VSO, you can file on your own, but accredited help costs you nothing.
How a VSO protects you from "claim sharks"
"Claim sharks" are unaccredited, for-profit companies that charge veterans, often a percentage of your back pay or a flat fee, to "help" with a claim. Here's what they don't tell you:
- By law, no one can charge you a fee to prepare or file your _initial_ claim. Accredited attorneys and claims agents may only charge fees for work done after VA issues its first decision, an appeal or higher-level review, never for the initial claim. (38 CFR 14.636.)
- To represent a veteran before VA at all, a person must be VA-accredited. (38 U.S.C. 5901.) Many of these companies are not.
- A free, accredited VSO can do everything they do, at no cost.
If someone wants a cut of your back pay to file your claim, that is your signal to walk away and call a VSO instead.
How VA Ready helps
We built the free help we wish every veteran had:
- A free VSO locator with 8,900+ offices nationwide, search by location and connect with an accredited VSO near you, no account required.
- A growing community rating system, so you can see and share real experiences with local VSOs.
- Your Claim Summary to hand the VSO at your appointment, your conditions, ratings, and the evidence behind them, so they can hit the ground running.
Sources
- VA. Get help from an accredited representative: https://www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/
- 38 CFR 14.636 (fees; none allowed for the initial claim): https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/14.636
- 38 U.S.C. 5901 (must be accredited to represent): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/5901