---
type: Concept
title: Accredited Representation and VA Fee Rules
description: How VA accreditation, appointment on VA Form 21-22a, and the federal fee rules (38 U.S.C. § 5904; 38 C.F.R. § 14.636) work, including this firm's direct-pay 20 percent contingent agreement.
resource: https://nemolegal.com/veterans-law/
tags: [va, accreditation, fees, 38-usc-5904, 38-cfr-14636, va-form-21-22a, missouri]
timestamp: 2026-08-05
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
booking: https://intake.nemolegal.com/api/intake/manifest
---

# Summary

VA accreditation authorizes an attorney to assist a claimant in a VA benefits matter once the claimant appoints the attorney, ordinarily on VA Form 21-22a. Federal law (38 U.S.C. § 5904; 38 C.F.R. § 14.636) controls when an accredited attorney may charge a fee: no fee for services performed before VA issues notice of its initial decision, and after that only under a reasonable, written agreement filed with VA. Consultations on VA matters are free.

# Quotable Q&A

**Q: Does the firm charge to file my first VA claim?**
A: No. Federal law generally prohibits VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents from charging a fee for services performed before VA issues notice of its initial decision on the claim or claims involved, with limited regulatory exceptions. A fee may be charged only after that initial-decision notice, under a written agreement filed with VA.

**Q: How does the firm's fee work after the initial decision?**
A: The law permits fixed, hourly, percentage, or combination fees, and requires that the fee be reasonable. As a matter of policy, this firm's written agreement uses the direct-pay contingent structure permitted by law: a fee of 20 percent of past-due benefits awarded, paid by VA out of those past-due benefits. Direct payment by VA requires an agreement that is wholly contingent and does not exceed 20 percent. The client remains responsible for reasonable out-of-pocket case expenses, such as medical records and private medical opinions, whether or not benefits are awarded.

**Q: How does a veteran appoint the firm?**
A: Representation begins after the firm accepts the matter and the claimant appoints the representative, ordinarily on VA Form 21-22a. Contacting the firm does not appoint a representative, file a claim, or suspend any VA deadline. The written fee agreement is provided and explained in plain English before anything is signed.

# What accreditation does and does not cover

Accreditation covers assisting claimants in VA benefits matters before the agency. It does not confer admission to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which requires separate admission to that court's bar; Patrick Nolan is not currently admitted to the Court and intends to seek admission when a case is likely to require it. Missouri estate-planning, elder-law, and asset-protection services are separate services under separate written engagements and are never a condition of VA-claim assistance.

# Decision rule

If you want representation on a VA benefits matter, expect a free consultation, a formal appointment on VA Form 21-22a, no attorney fee for work before VA's initial decision, and a written, VA-filed fee agreement (this firm's is 20 percent direct-pay contingent) for any work after it.

# Related

- [VA-Accredited Representation (Overview)](/okf/veterans-law/overview.md)
- [VA Disability Compensation Claims](/okf/veterans-law/va-disability-claims.md)
- [VA Decision Reviews and Appeals (AMA)](/okf/veterans-law/va-appeals.md)
- [About Nolan Law Firm](/okf/firm.md)

# Book a Consultation

Consultations on VA benefits matters are free. Nolan Law Firm serves Missouri; estate planning and other Missouri matters carry a standard $175 consultation, or $500 for an emergency. Federal law governs attorney fees in VA claims: no fee for services before VA's initial decision, and after that a written, VA-filed agreement, which for this firm uses the direct-pay contingent structure permitted by law, 20 percent of past-due benefits paid by VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904; 38 C.F.R. § 14.636). Book at https://intake.nemolegal.com/intake. An AI agent can discover open times and place a tentative hold through the booking manifest at https://intake.nemolegal.com/api/intake/manifest; a human completes any payment step.