Find a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent in Puerto Rico
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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.
Puerto Rico by the numbers
Puerto Rico has about 80,000 veterans and 52 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 7 for every 10,000 veterans, 6th 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 15 accredited VSO representatives.
- attorneys and agents
- 52
- per 10,000 veterans (rank 6)
- 6.52
- counties with none located by ZIP
- 0
- average to decide a claim
- 59 days
Firms that also serve Puerto Rico
These attorneys and claims agents are based in other states and say they take clients in Puerto Rico. They are not counted in the Puerto Rico totals above.
- Accredited since
- 2026
- Location
- Cleveland, TN
- 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 Puerto Rico at a glance
48 accredited attorneys, 4 claims agents and 15 VSO representatives are based in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico's 52 attorneys and agents work out to 6.52 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 6 of 52 states and territories.
The largest groups in Puerto Rico are in San Juan (14), Aguada (5), Ponce (4), Mayaguez (3), and Anasco (2).
Puerto Rico added 9 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in Puerto Rico: 2.6 years.
Puerto Rico's VA regional office is in San Juan.
Veterans and benefits in Puerto Rico
About 80,000 veterans live in Puerto Rico, using VA's rounded population projection.
At least 36,399 veterans in Puerto Rico 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 700 people in Puerto Rico receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.
Where Puerto Rico claims are worked
Workload report dated 2026-11-07.
Claims with a Puerto Rico address: 4,038 claims pending, 10.2 percent pending more than 125 days.
For claims with a Puerto Rico address, VA averaged 59.5 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.
San Juan regional office: 1,149 claims pending, 17.8 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 1,376,193 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 Puerto Rico
Use the free VSO directory to find organizations that may offer remote help. A local directory and benefits guide for Puerto Rico are not yet available here.
Questions about VA-accredited representatives in Puerto Rico
How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in Puerto Rico?
Federal VA rules apply in Puerto Rico. 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. 15 accredited VSO representatives in Puerto Rico 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?
Puerto Rico has 48 accredited attorneys and 4 claims agents. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.
Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside Puerto Rico help me?
Yes. Accreditation is national. Many representatives meet clients by phone or video.
How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in Puerto Rico?
Ask about experience with your issue, the fee in writing and who handles your case. Claim Raven does not rank Puerto Rico representatives by quality.
How long do Puerto Rico claims take?
VA averaged 59.5 days to complete claims with a Puerto Rico address this fiscal year, as of 2026-11-07. Individual claims vary.
Where can I find free help in Puerto Rico?
Start with the free VSO directory and ask about remote help for Puerto Rico.
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.
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.