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New York by the numbers

New York has about 662,000 veterans and 483 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 7 for every 10,000 veterans, 5th 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 338 accredited VSO representatives.

attorneys and agents: 483
per 10,000 veterans (rank 5): 7.29
counties with none located by ZIP: 36
average to decide a claim: 71 days

Accredited help in New York at a glance

467 accredited attorneys, 16 claims agents and 338 VSO representatives are based in New York.

New York's 483 attorneys and agents work out to 7.29 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 5 of 52 states and territories.

Of New York's 62 counties, 26 have an accredited attorney or claims agent based there (41.9 percent). County locations could not be matched for 38 people on the roster.

The largest groups in New York are in New York (285), Buffalo (17), Amherst (10), Brooklyn (10), and Syracuse (7).

New York added 61 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in New York: 3.9 years.

36 counties with no attorney or claims agent located by ZIP

In these counties, the nearest help may be a free county VSO, or an attorney who works with you by phone and online.

New York's VA regional offices are in New York and Buffalo.

Neighboring states

Attorneys and claims agents per 10,000 veterans: New York 7.29; Connecticut 5.91; Massachusetts 5.88; New Jersey 4.62; Pennsylvania 4.10; Rhode Island 31.63; Vermont 1.81. Based on each representative's roster state, not the states where they accept clients.

Veterans and benefits in New York

About 662,000 veterans live in New York, using VA's rounded population projection.

At least 155,261 veterans in New York 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.

Disability ratings among recipients with a reported rating group
Combined rating	New York	National
0 to 20 percent	20.5 percent	19.3 percent
30 to 40 percent	11.6 percent	10.5 percent
50 to 60 percent	12.1 percent	11.5 percent
70 to 90 percent	30.1 percent	29.5 percent
100 percent	25.7 percent	29.2 percent

That works out to about one accredited attorney or claims agent for every 320 people in New York receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.

Where New York claims are worked

Workload report dated 2026-10-31.

Claims with a New York address: 16,822 claims pending, 12.1 percent pending more than 125 days.

For claims with a New York address, VA averaged 71.1 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.

New York regional office: 1,705 claims pending, 13.4 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 74.4 days pending.

Buffalo regional office: 1,304 claims pending, 12.8 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 74.2 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 York

Find free VSO help in New York or read about New York veterans benefits.

Questions about VA-accredited representatives in New York

How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in New York?

Federal VA rules apply in New York. 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. 338 accredited VSO representatives in New York 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 York has 467 accredited attorneys and 16 claims agents. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.

Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside New York help me?

Yes. Accreditation is national. 36 of New York's 62 counties have none located by ZIP, so ask about phone and video appointments.

How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in New York?

Ask about experience with your issue, the fee in writing and who handles your case. Claim Raven does not rank New York representatives by quality.

What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in New York?

New York has its own veteran benefits, and many depend on your rating. See New York veteran benefits by rating.

How long do New York claims take?

VA averaged 71.1 days to complete claims with a New York address this fiscal year, as of 2026-10-31. Individual claims vary.

Where can I find free help in New York?

Start with the New York 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.

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Roster facts come from VA. Send the VA accreditation number and correction to support. Do not send claim records or medical information.

How to choose an attorney or claims agent

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