As mandated by Public Law 109-461, effective June 20, 2007, attorneys are now permitted to represent veterans for a fee before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a notice of disagreement (NOD) is filed with the agency of original jurisdiction. Please see VA&R Bulletin 19-07, dated July 3, 2007.

The American Legion National Headquarters has subsequently been contacted by attorneys requesting that we refer veterans to them for representation once a NOD has been filed. Although veterans are now free to hire attorneys after a NOD has been filed, The American Legion will still continue to provide the best possible representation to those who elect The American Legion as their accredited representative in VA-related matters. American Legion policy does not permit accredited American Legion representatives to refer any claimant seeking VA benefits to an attorney. Moreover, accredited American Legion representatives are not to make a specific referral to an attorney at any time.

Please contact Steve Smithson, Deputy Director for Claims Service, VA&R, at ssmithson@legion.org or (202) 263-2985 if you have any questions or concerns.