If you are an attorney registered with the Virginia State Bar, you may request a Certificate of Good Standing, Disciplinary Certificate of Good Standing and/or a Letter of Discipline History from the Virginia State Bar.
When an attorney applies for VA accreditation, VA typically presumes that the attorney possesses the good character and fitness necessary to represent Veterans and their family members based on the attorney’s state license to practice law.
For current information, call the Virginia State Bar Membership Department at 804-775-0530. Search for lawyers who are not eligible to practice law because their licenses are suspended or revoked.
Because attorney accreditation is premised on membership in a State bar as defined by law, VA may not accredit attorneys based on membership in the bar of a foreign country. Question: Would you provide a list of CLE providers?
Due to the large number of complaints that the VA accreditation program is receiving that do not fall succinctly within our jurisdiction to investigate, we recommend that you submit any complaint about an individual or organization assisting with VA pension benefits through the Federal Trade Commission's complaint assistant .
VA-accredited attorneys or representatives are individuals recognized by VA as legally authorized and capable of assisting claimants in pursuit of benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You can also access your VA decision letter online. Before we dive into your VA award letter, bookmark this useful link to download your VA decision letter online.
Go to eBenefits to find a local representative (including a recognized VSO, an attorney, or a claims agent) by state/territory, zip code, or the organization's name. Or search the VA Office of the General Counsel's list to find VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals by name, city, state, or zip code.
The VA doesn't recognize power of attorney (POA). If a veteran is still competent and simply wishes for a person, such as a family member, to handle their claim for benefits, then they can complete VA Form 21-22a to appoint them as their one-time representative.
4 to 6 weeksWhat is the Timeline From C&P Exam to Decision 2022? In 2022, you can expect to receive a VA rating decision within 4 to 6 weeks after your last C&P exam. If it's been longer than 6 weeks, pick up the phone, call the VA hotline, and ask to speak to a VA representative at 1-800-827-1000.
about 3 to 4 monthsWhat happens after my exam? We'll review all the evidence in your file, assign your disability rating, and send you a decision notice (a letter letting you know your disability rating). Each claim is different, but it usually takes us about 3 to 4 months to process a claim from start to finish.
Why use a VSO to help you file a claim? The majority of VSOs were started by veterans for veterans. So, using a VSO representative means that you will have someone who understands where you've been and what you're up against as you transition out of the military.
Do I have to use a VSO? No, you are not required to use a VSO. Veterans always have the option to prepare and file their own VA claim online for free at VA.gov.
TinnitusThe #1 Easiest VA Disability to Claim: Tinnitus Tinnitus can only have one VA rating. It is either 10% or nothing. There is no lower VA rating and there is no higher VA rating. Therefore, we call it a “low-value” claim, because it is always rated at 10%, and 10% only, with no exceptions.
A person given power of attorney over a property cannot sell the asset unless there is a specific provision giving him the power, the Supreme Court has held in a judgment.
While Virginia does not technically require you to get your POA notarized, notarization is very strongly recommended. Under Virginia law, when you sign your POA in the presence of a notary public, your signature is presumed to be genuine—meaning your POA is more ironclad.
VA Loan Power of Attorney Types and Requirements POA is a legal instrument allowing service members to designate a person who can enter into contracts and execute other civil, financial and legal obligations on their behalf - often because of a deployment.
An accredited representative is an individual who has undergone a formal application and training process and is recognized by VA as being capable...
A VSO, along with state, county, and other local Veteran service representatives are trained to help you understand and apply for any VA benefits y...
OnlineYou can find a local representative including a recognized VSO , attorney, or claims agent by state/territory, zip code, or by the organizati...
OnlineYou may appoint an attorney, claim agent, or VSO to represent you or manage your current representative online using eBenefits.By Mail You ma...
If you are an attorney registered with the Virginia State Bar, you may request a Certificate of Good Standing, Disciplinary Certificate of Good Standing and/or a Letter of Discipline History from the Virginia State Bar. The Certificate Request Form (pdf) must be completed and submitted along with a check made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return. The charge for each certificate and the charge for additional copies is listed on the request form. The form should be mailed to:
For any questions, you may contact the Virginia State Bar Regulatory Compliance Department at (804) 775-0530 or by email. Updated: Sep 27, 2019.
Response: Accreditation means the authority granted by VA to representatives, agents, and attorneys to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for VA benefits. 38 C.F.R. § 14.627 (a). Without accreditation, an individual may not independently assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, ...
Response: We are currently making attorney accreditation determinations on complete applications with accurate information in 60-90 days.
Response: Because the regulation allows you to take the qualifying CLE up to 12 months after accreditation, your references need only be able to attest to your character and qualifications as an attorney – not necessarily as a veterans law attorney.
Response: Pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 14.629 (b) (1) (iii) and (iv), a qualifying CLE course must be approved for a minimum of 3 hours of CLE credit by any State bar association; therefore, CLE approved by a State other than the one in which you are licensed or admitted is acceptable for purposes of VA accreditation.
VA regulations allow legal interns, paralegals, and law students to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for VA benefits of claimants for benefits, but only under the direct supervision of the attorney of record, and with the specific written consent of the claimant. 38 C.F.R. § 14.629 (c) (3).
In answering this question, we assume that (1) a “pension benefit client” means a veteran not currently receiving VA pension but one who has expressed intent to file for such benefit, and (2) that the advice provided includes those acts in making the claim ready for filing, but not the actual filing of the claim .
Response: Because VA’s regulations require completion of qualifying CLE “during the first 12-month period following the date of initial accreditation by VA,” at this time, we cannot accept CLE courses taken before accreditation as satisfying the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 14.629 (b) (1) (iii).
Finally, if your complaint is against a VA accredited attorney, claims agent, or veterans service organization (VSO) representative (please confirm the individual’s VA-accreditation status by locating his or her name here) and you believe that your complaint only involves a violation of the standards of conduct for VA-accredited individuals or if you do not wish for other law enforcement entities to immediately be notified of your complaint, then you may file your complaint directly with the VA accreditation program by submitting your written complaint, and a completed VA Form 3288 that will allow us to disclose your name and the information contained in the complaint to the VA-accredited practitioner, by mailing your complaint to the Office of the General Counsel (0 22D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. For questions on how to file a complaint with the VA accreditation program, or assistance in filling out the consent form, please call 202-461-7699.
VA accreditation is for the sole purpose of providing representation services to claimants before VA and does not imply that a representative is qualified to provide financial planning services or is otherwise endorsed by VA.
For more information or if you want to check the status of your VA-FSC Vendor File Request Form, please contact FSC’s Nationwide Vendor File Customer Service by emailing vafscvendot@va.gov or calling 1-877-353-9791 .
These accreditation applications may be mailed to the address indicated on the form, faxed to the Office of the General Counsel (022D) at (202) 495-5457, or attached (as a pdf file) to an e-mail sent to the Accreditation Mailbox ogcaccreditationmailbox@va.gov.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) has assigned at least one staff member (Agent and Attorney Fee Coordinator) at each of its Regional Offices to act as the primary point-of-contact for accredited agents and attorneys who represent claimants before the Department.
VA accreditation may not be used for marketing financial products or promoting a financial services business. Despite VA’s efforts to ensure accredited individuals are responsible and qualified to provide representation on VA claims, claimants should exercise caution when selecting a representative.
South Dakota - Call the State Bar of South Dakota (605-224-7554) to determine if a person is licensed to practice law and in good standing. Tennessee. Texas. Utah. Vermont - Select the link for "Attorneys in Good Standing". Virginia.
Nevada. New Hampshire - Call the New Hampshire Bar Association (603-224-6942) to determine if a person is licensed to practice law and in good standing. New Jersey.