VA Claim Sharks: What Veterans Need to Know Before Signing Anything

VA disability is intended to provide financial, medical, and other types of support to veterans who suffer from service-connected illnesses or other medical conditions. Ideally, the process of securing those benefits would be straightforward and respectful. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case–and that’s not just because some veterans have to fight for VA disability benefits. 

Sometimes, it’s because a shady company tries to exploit veterans. In some cases, their actions are even illegal. Unfortunately, some veterans seeking help to get the VA disability benefits they deserve fall into their traps. At Veterans Help Group, we understand how important it is for veterans to have capable, reliable assistance when they need it, and how easy it is to be misled when you need help with something so important. We want to make sure you have the information and resources you need to get the help you need, whether that help comes from our advocates or not.

Here’s what you need to know about claim sharks–one of the most significant pitfalls for veterans seeking benefits–and how to avoid falling victim to them.

The Law Protects Veterans Filing VA Disability Claims

Federal law prohibits charging a veteran for help filing an initial VA disability claim. In fact, veterans can get free assistance filing VA disability claims through accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). But veterans don’t always know their rights, and enforcement mechanisms are weak. The VA-accredited advocates like those at Veterans Help Group are held to strict standards and take the law and protection of veterans seriously. Unfortunately, some companies use workarounds in gray areas. 

Claim sharks got a wave of attention in 2025, when NPR published an investigative report on Trajector Medical. Trajector assesses a veteran’s medical records to help identify possible service-connected conditions and generates “medical packets” tailored to help establish eligibility and severity of the medical condition. The company positions itself as providing medical expertise and differentiates itself from advocates and attorneys providing assistance with the claims process itself. But some lawmakers have called its practices predatory and aim to tighten the law.

According to the report, Trajector used auto-dialers to check the status of claims for veterans they had assisted–tens of thousands of calls each month. When those calls yielded information about an increase in VA disability rating or other change that increased benefits eligibility, they would send the veteran a bill. The fee is reportedly a one-time payment equal to five times the increase in monthly benefits. 

For example, if a veteran’s rating increased from 90% to 100% in 2026, the difference in monthly benefits would be $1,576.28. That’s a significant boost that could change the veteran’s quality of life for the better. But under the system described above, it could also mean the veteran could receive an invoice for $7,881.40.

Trajector has received a lot of attention due to the NPR report, subsequent reporting, and the reaction of lawmakers to the report. However, it’s just one example. Veterans seeking assistance with VA disability benefits claims, appeals, or other matters should seek out VA-accredited advocates. 

What is a VA-Accredited Advocate?

VA-accredited advocates are vetted by the VA and specifically accredited to assist with certain matters, including VA disability claims and appeals. Some advantages of working with an accredited agent include: 

• VA-accredited advocates have completed required training on VA standards and procedures
• VA-accredited advocates have agreed to be bound by a code of ethics
• VA-accredited advocates have direct access to the Veterans Benefits Management System to handle claims on your behalf

What are Lawmakers Doing about Claim Sharks? 

Some lawmakers are taking action to combat the issues presented by claim sharks, and are pursuing different avenues to protect veterans. For example: 

• Dozens of lawmakers signed on to a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) encouraging the agencies to take action against predatory practices by claims companies.
• California enacted a state law imposing penalties on any company charging veterans for assistance filing initial VA disability claims. 
• A bipartisan group of federal legislators has introduced a bill that would prohibit companies from using auto-dialers to contact federal agencies, which would impair monitoring and surprise invoicing like that described in the NPR report.
• A bill has been introduced to reinstate penalties for charging veterans for assistance with the initial VA disability claim. 

However, most of these measures are speculative at this point. As of early May, neither the CFPB nor the FTC had responded to the lawmakers’ request for a crackdown on predatory procedures. The two federal bills are in the early stages. And, the industry is pushing for an alternative bill that would allow for fees at the initial claims stage. In fact, a bill permitting up to $12,500 in fees for that service was enacted in Louisiana in 2024. That law was struck down by a federal judge because it conflicted with federal law, but there is nothing to prevent the federal legislature from enacting a similar statute.

Veterans Help Group Serves Those Who Served

At Veterans Help Group, we have deep respect and gratitude for those who have served our country, and are committed to ensuring that you and your family receive the benefits you earned. Our VA-accredited advocates have extensive knowledge and experience with the VA disability process, and we’re fully committed to fighting for you in the most effective, ethical, respectful way possible. 

You can learn more about our VA-accredited advocates on our Meet the Team page. You’ll find information about each advocate’s educational background and when they were first accredited by the VA. Clicking the link showing the date of accreditation will take you directly to the advocate’s accreditation record on the VA.gov website. You can also click through to their bios on our site to learn more about their experience and involvement in the veterans’ community.

To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 855-855-8992 or fill out our contact form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a company is VA-accredited?
You can verify accreditation directly on VA.gov. Veterans Help Group links each advocate’s accreditation record on our Meet the Team page so you can confirm it without having to search.

If I already signed a contract with one of these companies, what can I do?
Consult a VA-accredited advocate before paying anything. Depending on how the contract is structured and what services were actually rendered, you may have options, especially if the company’s practices violated federal or state law.

Why haven’t the FTC or CFPB acted on this?
As of early May 2025, neither agency had responded to the bipartisan letter from dozens of lawmakers requesting a crackdown. Federal bills targeting auto-dialer abuse and reinstatement of fee penalties are still in early stages, so regulatory protection remains thin for now.

Disabled Veteran Resources:

• Free VA Disability Guidebooks
• VFW SSDI Qualifications Questionnaire
• Most Commonly Approved VA Disability Claims
• VA Disability Calculator: See What You Could Be Owed!