VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
How To Check VA Accreditation
Check the individual who will represent you in VA's official directory before signing an appointment or paying for claim services. A company name, badge, or pending application is not the same check.
Start With The Official Directory
Open the Office of General Counsel accreditation search from VA's official website. The directory has one search for accredited attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives, and a separate search for recognized VSOs. Use the search that matches the person or organization you are checking.
Ask for the representative's full name and type of accreditation. Search that name first rather than relying only on a marketing brand. The directory allows a search using a single field, so you do not need to know every contact detail.
Match The Person And Role
Compare the returned name, representative type, and available contact details with the person offering assistance. Similar names can produce an apparent match that belongs to someone else. Save the result and the date you checked it so you can identify what you relied on.
For a VSO, check both the recognized organization and the individual who will act for it. Ask which organization should be named on Form 21-22. Recognition of an organization and accreditation of a person answer related but different questions.
Resolve An Empty Search
If no result appears, remove unnecessary filters and check spelling or a different name the person uses professionally. Do not treat a typing mistake as proof of misconduct. Equally, do not treat a statement that accreditation is pending as confirmation that it has been granted.
OGC says its directory lists currently accredited individuals and recognized organizations. Its page provides an accreditation mailbox for questions and corrections. Ask OGC to resolve a mismatch before relying on the person's asserted status; an application awaiting action is not a current listing.
Sources: [1].
Know What The Check Establishes
Accreditation authorizes a defined role in VA representation. OGC expressly explains that it does not endorse a representative's financial products or establish financial-planning qualifications. It also does not tell you whether a particular office has time for your case.
A directory entry alone does not establish that a proposed fee is allowed. Fee eligibility depends on the stage of the claim and the other regulatory requirements. Ask for the proposed work and payment terms in writing, even when the accreditation match is clear.
Complete The Separate Appointment
Contact the representative and confirm acceptance before submitting an appointment. VA requires the appropriate appointment form and signatures; finding a name in the database does not appoint that person to your claim.
Keep your own copy and ask how the office will confirm receipt and track pending work. If you already have representation, discuss whether the new appointment replaces it generally or is limited to a particular claim. Check the scope before signing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a state law license enough to establish VA accreditation?
No. Check VA accreditation separately in OGC's directory. A state bar credential and VA accreditation serve different purposes.
Does a pending accreditation application count?
No. OGC distinguishes currently accredited individuals from people whose applications may still be pending. Ask OGC about an uncertain result.
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
Check The Source. Get Accredited Help.
Use this resource to understand published information. VA and the official decision control individual benefits.