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Ohio by the numbers

Ohio has about 669,000 veterans and 191 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 3 for every 10,000 veterans, 32nd 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 418 accredited VSO representatives.

attorneys and agents: 191
per 10,000 veterans (rank 32): 2.85
counties with none located by ZIP: 56
average to decide a claim: 70 days

Firms that also serve Ohio

These attorneys and claims agents are based in other states and say they take clients in Ohio. They are not counted in the Ohio totals above.

Donald Burnette

Attorney · Law Office of DC Burnette, PLLC

Verified profile

Accredited since: 2026
Location: Columbia, SC

Handles VA claims

VA-Accredited Attorney | Veteran & Air Force Veteran

Request a free consultation

Tina Budzisz

Attorney · The Law Office of Tina Budzisz

Verified profile

Accredited since: 2026
Location: Watertown, WI

Experience You Need, Results You Deserve

View profile

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

View profile

Accredited help in Ohio at a glance

182 accredited attorneys, 9 claims agents and 418 VSO representatives are based in Ohio.

Ohio's 191 attorneys and agents work out to 2.85 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 32 of 52 states and territories.

Of Ohio's 88 counties, 32 have an accredited attorney or claims agent based there (36.4 percent). County locations could not be matched for 5 people on the roster.

The largest groups in Ohio are in Columbus (24), Dayton (18), Cleveland (17), Cincinnati (15), and Dublin (6).

Ohio added 23 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in Ohio: 8.8 years. Accreditation dates were unavailable or invalid for 1 person; those records are left out of these time calculations.

56 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.

Ohio's VA regional office is in Cleveland.

Neighboring states

Attorneys and claims agents per 10,000 veterans: Ohio 2.85; Indiana 3.72; Kentucky 3.20; Michigan 4.12; Pennsylvania 4.10; West Virginia 2.34. Based on each representative's roster state, not the states where they accept clients.

Veterans and benefits in Ohio

About 669,000 veterans live in Ohio, using VA's rounded population projection.

At least 191,332 veterans in Ohio 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	Ohio	National
0 to 20 percent	24.8 percent	19.3 percent
30 to 40 percent	13.0 percent	10.5 percent
50 to 60 percent	13.0 percent	11.5 percent
70 to 90 percent	27.7 percent	29.5 percent
100 percent	21.6 percent	29.2 percent

That works out to about one accredited attorney or claims agent for every 1,000 people in Ohio receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.

Where Ohio claims are worked

Workload report dated 2026-10-31.

Claims with a Ohio address: 21,484 claims pending, 10.4 percent pending more than 125 days.

For claims with a Ohio address, VA averaged 70.1 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.

Cleveland regional office: 4,108 claims pending, 14.2 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 77.7 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 Ohio

Find free VSO help in Ohio or read about Ohio veterans benefits.

Questions about VA-accredited representatives in Ohio

How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in Ohio?

Federal VA rules apply in Ohio. 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. 418 accredited VSO representatives in Ohio 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?

Ohio has 182 accredited attorneys and 9 claims agents. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.

Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside Ohio help me?

Yes. Accreditation is national. 56 of Ohio's 88 counties have none located by ZIP, so ask about phone and video appointments.

How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in Ohio?

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

What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in Ohio?

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

How long do Ohio claims take?

VA averaged 70.1 days to complete claims with a Ohio address this fiscal year, as of 2026-10-31. Individual claims vary.

Where can I find free help in Ohio?

Start with the Ohio 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 2026-11-10.
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.

How to choose an attorney or claims agent

Check accreditation

Ask about claims like yours

Get the fee in writing

Send a free request

Ohio by the numbers

Firms that also serve Ohio

Accredited help in Ohio at a glance

Neighboring states

Veterans and benefits in Ohio

Where Ohio claims are worked

How representation relates to Board results

What decides Board appeals

Which kind of help fits you?

Free help in Ohio

Questions about VA-accredited representatives in Ohio

How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in Ohio?

Do I need a lawyer for my VA disability claim?

What is the difference between a VA-accredited attorney and a claims agent?

Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside Ohio help me?

How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in Ohio?

What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in Ohio?

How long do Ohio claims take?

Where can I find free help in Ohio?

Sources and dates