Claim Raven explanation
What this means
VA may authorize a person to help with one particular claim without regular accreditation when the required appointment and no-fee statement are filed.
The person must follow VA law, practice regulations, and conduct rules and can be suspended or excluded on the same grounds that apply to accredited representatives. If the claimant dies, the rule also addresses continued representation of a qualifying substitute when the appointment procedures are followed.
How this helps your claim
This is a narrow exception for one claim, not a general authorization to practice before VA. The claimant and representative use VA Form 21-22a and sign a statement that no compensation will be charged or paid. A second use requires an exception from VA’s General Counsel based on unusual circumstances.
What to check in your records
Confirm that the appointment identifies the particular claim and that the file contains the signed statement saying no compensation will be charged or paid.
- Keep the completed VA Form 21-22a and the separate or incorporated no-compensation statement.
- Identify the single claim covered by the authorization and the VA office where the documents were filed.
- If an unusual-circumstances exception is requested, keep the request and VA’s written decision on it.
Keep the exception as narrow as the rule
Write down the exact claim and issues the person will handle. This helps prevent a one-claim authorization from being treated as a standing appointment for unrelated VA matters.
No compensation means no fee for these services. If payment is requested, pause and compare the arrangement with the filed statement and the accreditation and fee rules before relying on the person’s work.
Can a family member use this rule to help with a claim?
A person may be authorized for one particular claim if the required appointment and no-compensation statement are filed. The authorization is not automatic because of the family relationship, and the one-time limitation still applies.
Official regulatory text
38 CFR § 14.630
eCFR snapshot: 2026-09-17. Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The full section and its tables are included below.
§ 14.630 Authorization for a particular claim.
(a) Any person may be authorized to prepare, present, and prosecute one claim. A power of attorney executed on VA Form 21-22a, “Appointment of Attorney or Agent as Claimant's Representative,” and a statement signed by the person and the claimant that no compensation will be charged or paid for the services, shall be filed with the agency of original jurisdiction where the claim is presented. The power of attorney identifies to VA the claimant's appointment of representation and authorizes VA's disclosure of information to the person representing the claimant.
(b) Representation may be provided by an individual pursuant to this section one time only. An exception to this limitation may be granted by the General Counsel in unusual circumstances. Among the factors which may be considered in determining whether an exception will be granted are:
(1) The number of accredited representatives, agents, and attorneys operating in the claimant's geographic region;
(2) Whether the claimant has unsuccessfully sought representation from other sources;
(3) The nature and status of the claim; and
(4) Whether there exists unique circumstances which would render alternative representation inadequate.
(c) Persons providing representation under this section must comply with the laws administered by VA and with the regulations governing practice before VA including the rules of conduct in § 14.632 of this part.
(d) Persons providing representation under this section are subject to suspension and or exclusion from representation of claimants before VA on the same grounds as apply to representatives, agents, and attorneys in § 14.633 of this part.
(e) With respect to the limitation in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who had been authorized under paragraph (a) of this section to represent a claimant who later dies and is replaced by a substitute pursuant to 38 CFR 3.1010 for purposes of processing the claim to completion will be permitted to represent the substitute if the procedures of § 14.631(g) are followed.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501(a), 5121A, 5903)
[68 FR 8546, Feb. 24, 2003, as amended at 73 FR 29872, May 22, 2008; 79 FR 52983, Sept. 5, 2014]
Related references
- 38 CFR § 14.629: Who VA accredits to represent claimants
- 38 CFR § 14.631: VA powers of attorney and access to claimant information
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