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.

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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

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

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.

Disability ratings among recipients with a reported rating group
Combined rating	South Carolina	National
0 to 20 percent	15.5 percent	19.3 percent
30 to 40 percent	9.8 percent	10.5 percent
50 to 60 percent	11.5 percent	11.5 percent
70 to 90 percent	31.0 percent	29.5 percent
100 percent	32.2 percent	29.2 percent

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.

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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.