Washington, DC - Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) reintroduced the Veterans Claims Education Act (VCEA) to provide educational resources for veterans filing electronic claims and to steer veterans to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accredited entities. This will limit the ability of predatory companies to take advantage of and unfairly profit off veterans trying to access their hard-earned benefits. 

The VCEA is inspired by a constituent who wrote to Rep. Peters seeking assistance after he hired a for-profit company to maximize his VA benefits, but ended up having to pay more money to the company than he could collect into his bank account. 

"Companies that promise to maximize the benefits awarded to veterans but in the end take from them their hard-earned benefits undermine the promise America has made to veterans and their families," said Rep. Peters. "Every year, thousands of San Diegans make the transition to civilian life. They should never feel pressured into signing contracts that enrich predatory companies at their expense. America can and must do better. The Veterans Claims Education Act provides individuals filing benefits claims with the information they need to access readily available and free resources."    

Multiple veterans service organizations have endorsed the bill, including the American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. 

 "AMVETS strongly supports the Veterans Claims Education Act (VCEA) of 2025, which ensures that veterans filing VA benefits claims receive the guidance they need at no cost," said Joe Chenelly, National Executive Director, AMVETS. "By providing clear information on available resources and protections against unaccredited fee-based assistance, this legislation helps safeguard veterans from predatory practices while ensuring they receive the benefits they rightfully earned."  

"Veterans who file a claim should not be victims of predators seeking to scam them out of their VA benefits," said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer, Paralyzed Veterans of America. "The Veterans Claims Education Act would ensure that any veteran who files a claim will be provided the contact information of accredited agents who can help them and answer their questions, steering them away from unaccredited agents. We thank Representative Peters for reintroducing this important bill." 

"Leaving military service is a daunting process filled with many tasks to complete during the transition back to civilian life," said Nancy Springer, Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars. "Filing a VA disability claim is one of those substantial tasks. The Veterans Claims Education Act of 2025 would require VA to inform veterans of the availability of accredited representatives and to provide the address of an online search tool to find one. Additionally, it would provide a web address for veterans to report unaccredited representatives who unlawfully charge for their services. The VFW applauds Representatives Peters and Bishop for introducing this bill, and we call for its swift passage."  

Specifically, the bill requires VA to: 

1. Inform all veterans filing a claim that there are accredited entities that can assist them. 
2. Provide the web address of an online search tool that lists accredited entities that can assist veterans with filing a claim. 
3. Provide a publicly accessible web address where veterans can file a complaint to report entities that are unaccredited and target veterans by charging a fee for their services. 

Background: 

Upon separating from military service, veterans may file a disability claim with the VA on their own or by utilizing VA-backed resources, such as an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). An accredited representative or VSO must pass an exam, complete a background check, and take continuing education courses to ensure they provide up-to-date information to veterans. These accredited resources may file an initial claim with VA on the veteran's behalf free of charge. Unfortunately, an ecosystem of non-accredited for-profit entities has emerged which preys upon veterans' frustrations with VA's claims process. These companies often provide "consulting" services to help veterans prepare and present relevant paperwork needed to file a claim with VA in exchange for lump sum payments, a percentage of the total dollar amount awarded for a successful claim, or some other payment mechanism. Such fees lead many veterans to receive far too little of the benefits to which their service entitles them. Current legislative proposals designed to curb the excess of these companies focus on more stringent enforcement of existing laws and regulations.  

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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