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Claim Sharks

Claim sharks exploit veterans by charging illegal fees for services that should be free, misrepresenting their qualifications, and using misleading tactics to secure payment.

Their actions violate federal law, threaten the integrity of disability claims, and can financially and legally harm the very individuals they claim to serve.

Veterans deserve honest, lawful, and supportive guidance through the VA claims process.

Understanding what a claim shark looks like is the first step in staying protected and ensuring that all veterans receive the fair, ethical help they’ve earned.

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Some Facts about Claim Sharks

They Charge Fees for Helping File or Increase a VA Disability Claim

It is illegal for anyone to charge a fee for helping with an initial VA disability claim or for increasing an existing claim.

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Federal law (38 U.S.C. § 5904) states that individuals may only charge fees after a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) has been filed—and only if they are VA-accredited.


Claim sharks ignore this rule entirely.

These companies may:

  • Charge a “percentage of back pay”

  • Require monthly subscription fees

  • Ask for payment based on the rating increase they claim to achieve

  • Offer “medical consulting packages” designed to circumvent the law

They Are Not VA-Accredited

The VA has a strict accreditation process to ensure representatives are knowledgeable, ethical, and accountable.
Claim sharks typically avoid accreditation because it:

  • Limits the services they can charge for

  • Requires compliance with strict rules

  • Subjects them to oversight and disciplinary action

If a business claims to help veterans with their claims but refuses to provide an accreditation number, that is a clear indication of unlawful activity.

They Pressure You to Sign Long-Term Contracts

Claim sharks frequently use binding contracts that:

  • Charge recurring monthly fees

  • Lock veterans into multi-year payment agreements

  • Require payment even when no rating increase occurs

  • Charge fees for future benefit increases

Any company that pressures you into signing a restrictive or expensive contract should be avoided.

They Encourage Exaggeration or Fabrication

Some claim sharks may suggest that veterans:

  • Overstate symptoms

  • Request medical evidence that isn’t accurate

  • Submit claims for conditions not actually diagnosed

Not only is this unethical—it can seriously jeopardize a veteran’s credibility and future benefits.

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We make sure the conditions you claim are backed by creditable medical evidence. 

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