Find a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent in New Mexico
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- Checked against VA every week
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- We never take a share of fees
Michael Hacker
Attorney
- Accredited since
- 2016
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
- 1 review mentions VA claims
- Handles VA claims
4.219 reviews
Request a free consultationLori Millet
Attorney · ABQ Elder Law PC
- Accredited since
- 2011
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
4.09 firm reviews
Request a free consultation
Johanna Pickel
Attorney · Johanna A. Pickel, LLC
- Accredited since
- 2015
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
5.04 firm reviews
Request a free consultation
Eric Raymon
Attorney · Raymon Law Group
- Accredited since
- 2026
- Location
- Albuquerque, NM
- Online appointments
5.084 firm reviews
View profileAttorney 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.
New Mexico by the numbers
New Mexico has about 153,000 veterans and 25 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 2 for every 10,000 veterans, 45th 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 63 accredited VSO representatives.
- attorneys and agents
- 25
- per 10,000 veterans (rank 45)
- 1.63
- counties with none located by ZIP
- 27
- average to decide a claim
- 77 days
Firms that also serve New Mexico
These attorneys and claims agents are based in other states and say they take clients in New Mexico. They are not counted in the New Mexico totals above.
- Accredited since
- 2026
- Location
- Columbia, SC
- Handles VA claims
VA-Accredited Attorney | Veteran & Air Force Veteran
- Accredited since
- 2026
- Location
- Watertown, WI
Experience You Need, Results You Deserve
Attorney Deena Wingard
Attorney · Mitchell and Wingard, Attorneys and Counselors at Law
Verified profile
- Accredited since
- 2024
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
Former Rating Specialist, Decision Review Officer and Rating Quality Review Specialist
Accredited help in New Mexico at a glance
24 accredited attorneys, 1 claims agent and 63 VSO representatives are based in New Mexico.
New Mexico's 25 attorneys and agents work out to 1.63 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 45 of 52 states and territories.
Of New Mexico's 33 counties, 6 have an accredited attorney or claims agent based there (18.2 percent). County locations could not be matched for 4 people on the roster.
The largest groups in New Mexico are in Albuquerque (19), Las Cruces (1), Rio Rancho (1), Rio Roncho (1), and Ruidoso (1).
New Mexico added 2 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in New Mexico: 7.2 years.
27 counties with no attorney or claims agent located by ZIP
- Catron County
- Chaves County
- Cibola County
- Colfax County
- Curry County
- De Baca County
- Eddy County
- Grant County
- Guadalupe County
- Harding County
- Hidalgo County
- Lea County
- Los Alamos County
- Luna County
- McKinley County
- Mora County
- Otero County
- Quay County
- Rio Arriba County
- Roosevelt County
- San Juan County
- San Miguel County
- Socorro County
- Taos County
- Torrance County
- Union County
- Valencia County
In these counties, the nearest help may be a free county VSO, or an attorney who works with you by phone and online.
New Mexico's VA regional office is in Albuquerque.
Neighboring states
Attorneys and claims agents per 10,000 veterans: New Mexico 1.63; Arizona 2.13; Colorado 2.23; Oklahoma 2.30; Texas 3.07; Utah 4.01. Based on each representative's roster state, not the states where they accept clients.
Veterans and benefits in New Mexico
About 153,000 veterans live in New Mexico, using VA's rounded population projection.
At least 48,531 veterans in New Mexico 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 1,900 people in New Mexico receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.
Where New Mexico claims are worked
Workload report dated 2026-10-31.
Claims with a New Mexico address: 4,930 claims pending, 14.1 percent pending more than 125 days.
For claims with a New Mexico address, VA averaged 77.4 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.
Albuquerque regional office: 1,115 claims pending, 16.2 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 77.5 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 New Mexico
Find free VSO help in New Mexico or read about New Mexico veterans benefits.
Questions about VA-accredited representatives in New Mexico
How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in New Mexico?
Federal VA rules apply in New Mexico. 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. 63 accredited VSO representatives in New Mexico 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?
New Mexico has 24 accredited attorneys and 1 claims agent. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.
Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside New Mexico help me?
Yes. Accreditation is national. 27 of New Mexico's 33 counties have none located by ZIP, so ask about phone and video appointments.
How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in New Mexico?
Ask about experience with your issue, the fee in writing and who handles your case. Claim Raven does not rank New Mexico representatives by quality.
What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in New Mexico?
New Mexico has its own veteran benefits, and many depend on your rating. See New Mexico veteran benefits by rating.
How long do New Mexico claims take?
VA averaged 77.4 days to complete claims with a New Mexico address this fiscal year, as of 2026-10-31. Individual claims vary.
Where can I find free help in New Mexico?
Start with the New Mexico 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 2026-11-09.
- VA Monday Morning Workload Report, 2026-10-31.
- 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.