Find a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent in South Carolina
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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.
South Carolina by the numbers
South Carolina has about 390,000 veterans and 121 VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents based in the state. That is about 3 for every 10,000 veterans, 29th 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 193 accredited VSO representatives.
- attorneys and agents
- 121
- per 10,000 veterans (rank 29)
- 3.10
- counties with none located by ZIP
- 22
- average to decide a claim
- 66 days
Firms that also serve South Carolina
These attorneys and claims agents are based in other states and say they take clients in South Carolina. They are not counted in the South Carolina totals above.
- 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 South Carolina at a glance
109 accredited attorneys, 12 claims agents and 193 VSO representatives are based in South Carolina.
South Carolina's 121 attorneys and agents work out to 3.10 per 10,000 veterans, ranking 29 of 52 states and territories.
Of South Carolina's 46 counties, 24 have an accredited attorney or claims agent based there (52.2 percent). County locations could not be matched for 12 people on the roster.
The largest groups in South Carolina are in Columbia (21), Charleston (13), North Charleston (7), Greenville (6), and Mount Pleasant (4).
South Carolina added 18 newly accredited attorneys and agents in the last 12 months. Median time accredited in South Carolina: 4.7 years.
22 counties with no attorney or claims agent located by ZIP
- Abbeville County
- Allendale County
- Bamberg County
- Barnwell County
- Calhoun County
- Cherokee County
- Chesterfield County
- Clarendon County
- Colleton County
- Dillon County
- Edgefield County
- Fairfield County
- Florence County
- Laurens County
- Lee County
- Marion County
- Marlboro County
- McCormick County
- Newberry County
- Pickens County
- Union County
- Williamsburg County
In these counties, the nearest help may be a free county VSO, or an attorney who works with you by phone and online.
South Carolina's VA regional office is in Columbia.
Neighboring states
Attorneys and claims agents per 10,000 veterans: South Carolina 3.10; Georgia 4.29; North Carolina 3.89. Based on each representative's roster state, not the states where they accept clients.
Veterans and benefits in South Carolina
About 390,000 veterans live in South Carolina, using VA's rounded population projection.
At least 155,553 veterans in South Carolina 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 1,300 people in South Carolina receiving compensation, using the reported minimum.
Where South Carolina claims are worked
Workload report dated 2026-10-31.
Claims with a South Carolina address: 18,522 claims pending, 10.0 percent pending more than 125 days.
For claims with a South Carolina address, VA averaged 66.3 days to complete a claim this fiscal year. Individual claims vary.
Columbia regional office: 5,377 claims pending, 11.3 percent pending more than 125 days, averaging 64.7 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 South Carolina
Find free VSO help in South Carolina or read about South Carolina veterans benefits.
Questions about VA-accredited representatives in South Carolina
How much does a VA disability lawyer cost in South Carolina?
Federal VA rules apply in South Carolina. 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. 193 accredited VSO representatives in South Carolina 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?
South Carolina has 109 accredited attorneys and 12 claims agents. Attorneys are lawyers; claims agents are accredited non-attorneys. Both can handle VA claims and appeals.
Can a VA-accredited lawyer outside South Carolina help me?
Yes. Accreditation is national. 22 of South Carolina's 46 counties have none located by ZIP, so ask about phone and video appointments.
How do I choose a VA disability lawyer in South Carolina?
Ask about experience with your issue, the fee in writing and who handles your case. Claim Raven does not rank South Carolina representatives by quality.
What benefits does a 100% disabled veteran get in South Carolina?
South Carolina has its own veteran benefits, and many depend on your rating. See South Carolina veteran benefits by rating.
How long do South Carolina claims take?
VA averaged 66.3 days to complete claims with a South Carolina address this fiscal year, as of 2026-10-31. Individual claims vary.
Where can I find free help in South Carolina?
Start with the South Carolina 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.