Find a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent in California
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- Checked against VA every week
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From Claim Raven
Hire a VA-accredited attorney without giving up your back pay.
Claim Raven and VA-accredited attorney Chris Burnette are running a small pilot for paid members: do the groundwork yourself, then hire Chris for the part you need at a flat fee.
Donald C. Burnette is a VA-accredited attorney and owner of the Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC, an independent law firm. Attorney services are provided by the law firm, not Claim Raven. Veterans may choose any attorney or representative, and using Claim Raven does not require hiring the firm.
Filter attorneys and claims agents
Carolyn Deal
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2026
- Location
- Riverside, CA
- Licensed since 2025
- 12 accredited at this firm
Nicole Valco
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2014
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Licensed since 2008
- 3 accredited at this firm
Derrick Moon
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2026
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Licensed since 2023
- 9 accredited at this firm
Charles Deem
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2010
- Location
- San Diego, CA
- Licensed since 1983
- 2 accredited at this firm
Jane Brunson
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2023
- Location
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Licensed since 2021
- 2 accredited at this firm
Alison Brown
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2017
- Location
- San Diego, CA
- Licensed since 2013
- 4 accredited at this firm
Attorney or claims agent listed here?
Add your photo, describe your services and choose how people contact you.
Distances are straight-line estimates between county internal points, not travel distances. ZIP areas can cross county lines.
How to choose an attorney or claims agent
Check accreditation
Everyone listed here is on VA's accreditation roster. Confirm the person on VA's accreditation search before you sign anything.Ask about claims like yours
Ask how many claims they have handled for your condition and at your stage, and who will work on your case day to day.Get the fee in writing
Attorneys and claims agents can charge only after VA decides your claim, usually a share of past-due benefits. VA presumes 20 percent or less is reasonable.Send a free request
Open a profile and send a request. It goes to that attorney or agent by email and costs you nothing.
California by the numbers
California has about 1.48 million veterans and 475 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 3 for every 10,000 veterans, 23rd among the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. Search them by ZIP code on this page, or find free help from one of the state's 569 accredited VSO representatives.
- attorneys and agents
- 475
- per 10,000 veterans (rank 23)
- 3.22
- counties with none located by ZIP
- 30
- average to decide a claim
- 71 days
Accredited help in California at a glance
430 accredited attorneys, 45 claims agents and 569 VSO representatives are based in California.
California's 475 attorneys and agents work out to 3.22 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 23 of 52 states and territories.
Of California's 58 counties, 28 have an accredited attorney or claims agent based there (48.3 percent). County locations could not be matched for 27 people on the roster.
The largest groups in California are in Los Angeles (79), San Diego (57), San Francisco (54), Palo Alto (15), and Riverside (13).
California added 57 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in California: 4.8 years. Accreditation dates were unavailable or invalid for 1 person; those records are left out of these time calculations.
30 counties with no attorney or claims agent located by ZIP
- Alpine County
- Amador County
- Calaveras County
- Colusa County
- Del Norte County
- El Dorado County
- Glenn County
- Inyo County
- Kern County
- Kings County
- Lake County
- Lassen County
- Madera County
- Mariposa County
- Mendocino County
- Merced County
- Modoc County
- Mono County
- Plumas County
- San Benito County
- San Luis Obispo County
- Shasta County
- Sierra County
- Sutter County
- Tehama County
- Trinity County
- Tulare County
- Tuolumne County
- Yolo County
- Yuba County
In these counties, the nearest help may be a free county VSO, or an attorney who works with you by phone and online.
California's VA regional offices are in Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
Neighboring states
Attorneys and claims agents per 10,000 veterans: California 3.22; Arizona 2.09; Nevada 2.40; Oregon 1.39. Based on each representative's roster state, not the states where they accept clients.
Veterans and benefits in California
About 1.48 million veterans live in California, using VA's rounded population projection.
At least 502,173 veterans in California received VA disability compensation at the end of fiscal year 2025. VA does not publish very small county counts, so the true number is a little higher.
That works out to about one accredited attorney or claims agent for every 1,100 people in California receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.
Where California claims are worked
Workload report dated 2026-10-24.
Claims with a California address: 53,165 claims pending, 11.7 percent pending more than 125 days.
For claims with a California address, VA averaged 70.7 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.
San Diego regional office: 6,817 claims pending, 19.7 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 84.6 days pending.
Los Angeles regional office: 4,572 claims pending, 18.1 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 82.1 days pending.
Oakland regional office: 3,715 claims pending, 11.4 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 72.6 days pending.
VA moves claims between offices, so an office's queue can include claims from other states.
Board hearings are mostly virtual, so an attorney does not need to be local.
How representation relates to Board results
National Board of Veterans' Appeals results, fiscal year 2024, legacy appeals.
| Representation | Appeals allowed |
|---|---|
| Attorney | 42.7 percent |
| Claims agent | 37.5 percent |
| AMVETS | 34.9 percent |
| American Legion | 32.0 percent |
| Disabled American Veterans | 31.7 percent |
| State service organizations | 31.5 percent |
| Paralyzed Veterans of America | 31.5 percent |
| Vietnam Veterans of America | 30.9 percent |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars | 30.7 percent |
| No representation | 29.7 percent |
These are national figures for older appeals and do not account for differences between cases.
What decides Board appeals
Claim Raven's national analysis covers 1,378,030 rulings in 511,036 Board decisions: 22.2 percent granted, 27.1 percent denied, and 40.8 percent remanded. These are appealed cases, not initial VA claims.
On service connection rulings the Board granted or denied, grant shares were 99.2 percent when the Board relied on a favorable medical opinion, 0.7 percent when the opinion evidence went against the claim, and 27.1 percent when no medical opinion was weighed.
These figures show association, not cause. Read the analysis and methodology.
Which kind of help fits you?
| Compare your options | Free VSO | Accredited claims agent | Accredited attorney | On your own with Claim Raven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | Free | Usually a share of past-due benefits if you win | Usually a share of past-due benefits if you win | Free to start, then a monthly plan. You keep all of your back pay. |
| When they can charge | Never | Only after VA decides your claim | Only after VA decides your claim | Never from your back pay |
| Typical fee | None | Often 20 percent of back pay | Often 20 percent of back pay | None from your back pay |
| Can take you to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims | Usually no | Some, if admitted to that court | Yes, if admitted to that court | No. Claim Raven helps you prepare; it does not represent you |
| Good fit when | You are filing a first claim or want free help | Your claim was denied and you want paid help | Your claim was denied, you are headed to the Board or the Court, or the case is complex | You want to understand your records and decision letters and file the claim yourself |
VA presumes fees up to 20 percent of back pay reasonable; above 33 1/3 percent, unreasonable. Get the agreement in writing.
Free help in California
Find free VSO help in California or read about California veterans benefits.
Questions about VA-accredited representatives in California
How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in California?
Federal VA rules apply in California. Representatives usually charge only after VA decides your claim, and VA presumes a fee of 20 percent of past-due benefits or less is reasonable.
Do I need a lawyer for my VA disability claim?
Not always. 569 accredited VSO representatives in California help for free, often with a first claim. Paid help usually starts after a denial.
What is the difference between a VA-accredited attorney and a claims agent?
California has 430 accredited attorneys and 45 claims agents. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.
Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside California help me?
Yes. Accreditation is national. 30 of California's 58 counties have none located by ZIP, so ask about phone and video appointments.
How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in California?
Ask about experience with your issue, the fee in writing and who handles your case. Claim Raven does not rank California representatives by quality.
What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in California?
California has its own veteran benefits, and many depend on your rating. See California veteran benefits by rating.
How long do California claims take?
VA averaged 70.7 days to complete claims with a California address this fiscal year, as of 2026-10-24. Individual claims vary.
Where can I find free help in California?
Start with the California VSO directory.
Sources and dates
- VA veteran population (VetPop2023), September 2023 projection.
- VA compensation recipients (FY2025), September 2025.
- Board representation (FY2024).
- Board analysis, 2026-10-06.
- VA accreditation roster, facts refreshed 2026-10-29.
- VA Monday Morning Workload Report, 2026-10-24.
- Census county adjacency, 2024; state neighbors include water-boundary contacts.
Claim Raven is not a law firm. No legal advice or endorsements. VA roster listings; paid placements are advertising. Check VA accreditation.
Report a listing correction
Roster facts come from VA. Send the VA accreditation number and correction to support. Do not send claim records or medical information.