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Signing a Fee Agreement is a Legal Document That Can Forced 

If You Seek Free Service, Contract Your Local VA 

 

Understanding the Commitment

Before signing any fee agreement with a veterans' advocate, agent, or attorney, it's crucial to fully understand the terms. This understanding empowers you, as signing a contract means you are legally obligated to pay for the services provided. If you prefer free services, contact your local VA hospital or state veterans administration office claims office or call 1-800-827-1000 for assistance. The VA offers free resources to help with your paperwork and filing but does not provide case review or discuss evidence.

Authority of the Representative:

Granting Authority: The VA Form 21-22a and Your Representative signing the VA Form 21-22a gives your accredited representative the authority to access your VA C-file military and private medical records, enabling them to manage your case comprehensively. Failing to meet your financial obligations under the contract could lead to your representative suspending or terminating their services, but your claim with the VA may still proceed.

Contractual Obligations:

Contractual Obligations: The Importance of Honoring Agreements veterans should always honor their agreements with their representatives. These professionals often invest significant time in each case. Non-payment undermines their efforts and could harm your relationship with them. Most representatives operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if they secure back pay for you. Do not sign a fee agreement if you do not intend to fulfill its terms.

 

Independent Actions Without Consultation:
Taking independent action on your claim without consulting your representative can lead to severe delays, denials, reductions in benefits, or lower ratings, potentially stalling your claim for years. It's important to be cautious and aware, as veterans who file claims or take other actions without discussing them with their representative may risk having their representation terminated to prevent misunderstandings about fees and responsibilities. Your representative has comprehensive access to your live VA file and is informed of all activities related to your case. Independent actions that result in negative outcomes are not the responsibility of your representative, and they cannot be held accountable for any issues that arise from decisions made without their guidance.

Addressing Dissatisfaction:

If you are unhappy with your representation, contact your representative directly to discuss your concerns. Most will help you find a resolution or assist in transitioning your case if needed. However, any outstanding balance must be settled before they provide a release letter. Terminating their power of attorney does not eliminate your financial obligation to your representative.

Consequences of Breaking a Contract:

Switching representatives while you have pending claims or appeals does not release you from the obligations of your original contract. It's important to be transparent about your situation before making any changes. Veterans who fail to fulfill their financial commitments and move from one representative to another may find it challenging to secure new representation, as professionals are hesitant to take on cases when they are aware of unresolved financial obligations with previous representatives.

Professional Relationship Maintenance:

Your representative is a professional, and maintaining a business relationship is essential. Frequent claim status updates are not part of the contract unless agreed upon. Use VA resources like the VA app and eBenefits for real-time updates on your claim status.

Veteran's Responsibility

To maintain effective communication, you should regularly update your advocate on your healthcare and any new evidence. Don’t expect your advocate to continually follow up with you for requested information. Reach out to your advocate when you have substantial updates or new evidence; for other inquiries, email is preferred. Prolonged periods of silence may indicate a lack of interest and could jeopardize your representation. To prevent your claim from stalling, continue seeking medical care throughout the entire process until your goals are met, and consistently write statements to support your service connection and report any changes in your claimed conditions. These actions help build a documented history of care and track the progression of your symptoms over time.

The VA Disability Advocates Main Office is Located in Las Vegas, NV. We Represent Veterans throughout the United States. 702-209-5722 

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