Find a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent in the District of Columbia
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Attorney or claims agent listed here?
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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.
the District of Columbia by the numbers
The District of Columbia has about 28,000 veterans and 348 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 125 for every 10,000 veterans, 1st 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 91 accredited VSO representatives.
- attorneys and agents
- 348
- per 10,000 veterans (rank 1)
- 124.66
- counties with none located by ZIP
- 0
- average to decide a claim
- 67 days
Accredited help in District of Columbia at a glance
346 accredited attorneys, 2 claims agents and 91 VSO representatives are based in the District of Columbia.
The District of Columbia's 348 attorneys and agents work out to 124.66 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 1 of 52 states and territories.
Of the District of Columbia's 1 county equivalent, 1 has an accredited attorney or claims agent based there (100.0 percent). County locations could not be matched for 15 people on the roster.
The largest groups in the District of Columbia are in Washington (347) and Washinton (1).
The District of Columbia added 47 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in the District of Columbia: 3.3 years. Accreditation dates were unavailable or invalid for 3 people; those records are left out of these time calculations.
The District of Columbia's VA regional office is in Washington DC.
Neighboring states
Attorneys and claims agents per 10,000 veterans: the District of Columbia 124.66; Maryland 3.17; Virginia 3.30. Based on each representative's roster state, not the states where they accept clients.
Veterans and benefits in District of Columbia
About 28,000 veterans live in the District of Columbia, using VA's rounded population projection.
At least 7,384 veterans in the District of Columbia 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 21 people in the District of Columbia receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.
Where District of Columbia claims are worked
Workload report dated 2026-11-07.
Claims with a the District of Columbia address: 823 claims pending, 13.5 percent pending more than 125 days.
For claims with a the District of Columbia address, VA averaged 67.0 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.
Washington DC regional office: 106 claims pending, 9.4 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 64.6 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 1,376,193 rulings in 510,968 Board decisions: 22.2 percent granted, 27.1 percent denied, and 40.7 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 District of Columbia
Find free VSO help in the District of Columbia or read about the District of Columbia veterans benefits.
Questions about VA-accredited representatives in District of Columbia
How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in District of Columbia?
Federal VA rules apply in the District of Columbia. 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. 91 accredited VSO representatives in the District of Columbia 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?
The District of Columbia has 346 accredited attorneys and 2 claims agents. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.
Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside District of Columbia help me?
Yes. Accreditation is national. Many representatives meet clients by phone or video.
How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in District of Columbia?
Ask about experience with your issue, the fee in writing and who handles your case. Claim Raven does not rank the District of Columbia representatives by quality.
What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in District of Columbia?
The District of Columbia has its own veteran benefits, and many depend on your rating. See the District of Columbia veteran benefits by rating.
How long do District of Columbia claims take?
VA averaged 67.0 days to complete claims with a the District of Columbia address this fiscal year, as of 2026-11-07. Individual claims vary.
Where can I find free help in District of Columbia?
Start with the the District of Columbia VSO directory.
Sources and dates
- VA veteran population (VetPop2023), September 2023 projection.
- VA compensation recipients (FY2025), September 2025.
- Board representation (FY2024).
- Board analysis, 2026-11-11.
- VA accreditation roster, facts refreshed 2026-11-14.
- VA Monday Morning Workload Report, 2026-11-07.
- 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.