Americans have selflessly answered the call to serve our country for the past 240 years and many bear the scars of that sacrifice for the rest of their lives. We founded VetsForever, a VA-accredited law group, as 100% service-disabled veterans ourselves dedicated to helping veterans navigate the complex VA claims process. Better regulation in our industry is crucial and we urge New Hampshire residents to support federal legislation that raises the bar and requires all companies who claim to provide disability claims support to act with integrity.
A recent NPR investigation pulled back the curtain on an ugly reality many veterans already know too well: predatory claims companies — often called “claim sharks” — are aggressively targeting disabled veterans, charging excessive and sometimes illegal fees for help with VA disability claims. These companies siphon off hard-earned benefits and divert taxpayer dollars straight into their own pockets.
As one letter responding to the investigation put it, “Aggressive and coordinated federal action is needed now. Claim sharks’ predatory practices grow more nefarious and efficient with each passing day, robbing veterans of the benefits they earned.”
We couldn’t agree more.
For years, federal penalties that once protected veterans from these practices have been weakened or removed. The result? A marketplace where bad actors flourish, veterans are misled and families who depend on VA compensation lose thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars.
Congress now has a chance to fix this.
Representative Chris Pappas’ GUARD VA Benefits Act would reinstate strong penalties against companies that illegally charge veterans for claims assistance. These penalties existed for decades and worked as intended: they deterred exploitation and protected veterans at their most vulnerable moments.
Unfortunately, this bill is currently stalled due to a competing proposal, the CHOICE for Veterans Act, sponsored by Representative Jack Bergman of Michigan. While framed as reform, that bill would instead legitimize the practice of charging disabled veterans by placing a $12,500 cap on fees.
Let’s be clear: a cap does not equal protection.
Allowing companies to charge up to $12,500 to “help” a veteran without accreditation or regulatory oversight opens the door to widespread abuse. It sends the message that profiting from disability is acceptable — as long as the price isn’t too high. The current system, which limits accredited agents’ compensation to a portion of a veteran’s earned retroactive pay, protects veterans from upfront or out-of-pocket costs they may not be able to afford.
At VetsForever, we know firsthand how confusing the VA system can be. That confusion should never be an invitation for exploitation. Veterans deserve competent, ethical help — not sales pitches, fine print, and contracts that mortgage their future benefits.
We are not opposed to veterans getting assistance. We are opposed to veterans being preyed upon.
The GUARD VA Benefits Act recognizes a simple truth: veterans’ benefits are not a business opportunity. They are a promise made by this nation to those who served and sacrificed.
Now is the moment for citizens, veterans, families and advocates to speak up.
Call or write your New Hampshire congressional representative today. Tell them you support the GUARD VA Benefits Act and a real crackdown on companies that charge disabled veterans for access to their earned benefits. Tell them veterans need protection — not price tags.
Our community stepped up when the country called. It’s time for Congress to step up for veterans.
Trinidad Aguirre, Chris Ward, and Jacob Pugh are the co-founders of VetsForever, a VA-accredited law group. Aguirre is a U.S. Navy veteran Ward is a retired senior chief petty officer with 26 years of Navy service. Pugh is a retired U.S. Air Force JAG officer.