Here’s how to see attorney and agent fees paid by VA

When it becomes necessary to file a claim with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), whether for you, the veteran, or a survivor, it can become overwhelming, and often requires assistance. Did you know that veterans and survivors have a choice when filing a claim with VA? They can hire a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), an attorney, or a claims agent who is authorized by VA to represent them, and their family, in matters related to VA benefits. Attorneys and claims agents receive payment for their assistance.

While VA-accredited VSOs assist with preparing and submitting claims for free, some VA-accredited attorneys and claim agents provide services for free on initial claims only (it’s important to note that they may not, by law, charge a fee for initial claims). But most VA-accredited attorneys and claim agents provide their services after VA has decided your initial claim. At this later stage in the claims process, they may charge a fee for their services.

The VA pays the VA-accredited attorneys and agents fees first out of the Veteran’s past-due benefits, often called back pay. These fees cannot exceed 20% of the calculated back pay before any other withholdings (such as military retired pay). If a Veteran’s actual back pay after withholdings is not enough to cover the entirety of the attorney/agent fee amount, the difference is paid to the attorney from VA funds.

Beginning in January, VA websites and social media channels began showing how much money it is legally obligated to send to VA-accredited attorneys and claim agents who have assisted Veterans with their disability claims.

Every month, the VA will post the amount of money it has paid to attorneys and agents during the last 12 months, the monthly average over the last 12 months, and the amount paid during two previous months. Our goal is to show Veterans where this money goes, why VA pays it and the amount we pay.

While paying attorneys for their services out of the money owed to the Veteran when a claim is granted is nothing new, sharing the data with the public is. And the amount paid is quite striking.

--In the last 12 months: $394.7 million.

--Monthly average over the last 12 Months: $32 million.

--November 2025: $29.4 million

--December 2025: $35.3 million

While the VA began posting the data in January, and soon it will break down by calendar year, state and congressional district. The VA believes making this information available to the public is an important step in ensuring that Veterans have the tools and information needed to make the best decisions regarding their claims.