What makes you different?
VetsForever provides legal VA-accredited representation for service-disabled veterans, giving them peace of mind and helping them secure life-changing benefits. Our deep legal expertise and experience in the VA claims process set us apart from many other companies who claim to help.
Nearly all of our staff (90%) have served in the U.S. armed forces. Our shared experiences build deeper relationships with clients. We take time to listen and understand their unique journey and arm them with resources for a brighter future. Our team of more than 30 individuals includes an attorney, 13 paralegals, and service-disabled veteran advocates.
We offer case evaluations, personalized case strategies, Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam preparation, and appeal representation.
What services does VetsForever provide?
VetsForever legal services include free case evaluations, personalized case strategies, Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam preparation, representation for VA appeals, and military discharge upgrades. VetsForever also offers a five-day online course on VA claims (BDD – Benefits Delivery at Discharge VA Claims) to help veterans prepare for transitioning out of military service.
Why can’t veterans file for disability benefits by themselves?
The process is complicated, and most people have no legal background to lean on. For example, there is only one VSO (Veterans Service Officer) for every 4,000 veterans in the U.S. The demand is overwhelming for their assistance, and VetsForever is a faster and accessible alternative. VetsForever has a first-time claim acceptance rate of 72% and a successful appeal win rate of 90%. Individuals filing without legal help have a first-time claim acceptance rate of 40% and a successful appeal rate of 38%.
How are you not a claim shark?
At VetsForever, we have a 76% success rate, and we are transparent about our practices which means we can legally prepare, present and prosecute VA claims or file VA claim appeals. We charge VA-approved, reasonable rates for the valuable services our team provides, and the results for our existing clients have been life-changing for them and their loved ones. We have been vetted by the VA and assigned an accreditation number 55664 under Jacob Pugh in Texas. This can be found on the https://www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep/ site.
Why does accreditation matter?
Unfortunately, there are other companies offering claims assistance that are not legally allowed to prepare, present, and prosecute VA claims or file for VA claim appeals. These companies also charge higher fees than allowed by VA-accredited law groups. VetsForever follows VA protocols and is legally able to submit claims and file for VA appeals. We also have access to VA systems and VA-approved attorney fees with 33% backpay. Our services have no hidden fees and do not require a NEXUS letter.
Many other free resources are available to help veterans with their VA benefits. What is the difference between their service offerings and VetsForever?
As a for-profit company, VetsForever employs attorneys who are devoted to this process and your well-being. Some non-profit volunteer organizations can be helpful, but for many of their legal experts, this is not their primary commitment.
What is the cost of receiving assistance from VetsForever in the filing process, improving discharge, and other educational services?
Our pricing structure is straightforward and honest, with no hidden fees or surprises. We believe that veterans deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for and what they can expect from our services.
Is there a time limit for a VA claim?
There’s no time limit for filing an initial VA disability claim. You can file a claim for a disability that appears after your service, and there’s no deadline for that either. You can even file a claim up to 180 days before leaving the service.
PACT Act? How can people apply for it?
The PACT Act is a law that significantly expands VA healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances during their service. VetsForever can help veterans apply.
Where does VetsForever operate?
VetsForever provides assistance to veterans all over the globe, as we work at the federal level with the VA. Wherever there is a service member, we are allowed and want to assist them.
Who is Jacob Pugh?
Jacob Pugh is the VF Chief Legal Officer and a VA Accredited attorney. His VA accreditation number can be found in the state of Texas and that number is 55664. Here is the VA link.
Jacob is a retired U.S. Air Force JAG officer with extensive expertise in government contracting, procurement and regulatory compliance. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in both the public and private sectors, he drives VetsForever’s legal strategic direction.
He ensures ethical operations and oversees complex programs in technology, health care and construction. His unique blend of legal, medical law and executive management experience makes him a trusted leader dedicated to advancing VetsForever’s mission to serve veterans with integrity and impact.
Jacob earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas.
What does the 33% of any past due benefits in the Contingency Fee Agreement to the attorney mean?
You have agreed to our 33% total service fee to provide legal services to seek a VA disability award rating for your claimed disabilities. This is a one-time contingency based “service fee” for the VA disabilities VF submitted on your behalf.
This service fee is based on:
- Your “Retroactive” VA award or “Backpay” generated from an increase in your overall VA rating or
- VA rating effective date change
Example 1 – You were awarded 100% in November with an effective date of July AND the original submission still had claims that were waiting for a decision. The VA then service connected the outstanding claims which in turn changed your effective date to March. This resulted in additional backpay of $5,000. VF service fee would then collect an additional 30% service fee because it is still part of the original VA claim. So $1,500 would be the total service fee.
What is the 3% Contingency Fee Agreement?
The administrative fee supports the Firm’s ability to provide pro bono representation to other veterans (i.e. economic hardship) and helps offsets the general administrative costs incurred in pursuing claims.
Fees shall be calculated based on the total awarded retroactive pay, including amounts attributable to dependents covered during the retroactive period, even if those dependents are claimed or recognized after the date of the award. The calculation shall be based on the full gross backpay award as reflected in the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS), regardless of whether some or all of the backpay is subject to recoupment by the VA for existing debts or overpayments.
Example 1
- You are awarded a total backpay of $5,000.
- The total VF Service Fee (30% + 3%) = $1,650
How does the VA handle your debt after you are awarded disability?
If you owe the VA money — maybe from an overpayment, benefits you weren’t supposed to get, or another type of VA debt — they may collect it from your backpay if you’re approved for a disability rating.
Here’s how it works:
- When your claim is approved, the VA calculates how much backpay you’re owed (from the effective date of your claim).
- If you have an outstanding debt, the VA will take out what you owe first before sending you the rest.
- You’ll get a letter explaining how much was taken and why.
When this happens, you are still obligated to pay VF for their legal services. VF uses the same calculations the VA uses to determine the backpay and then will calculate the total service fee (33%).
At VF’s discretion, we will grant up to a three-month payment plan to pay the total service fee owed. Any payment plan will be subject to a 20% interest rate per month.
Example 1
- You would have been awarded a total backpay of $5,000. The VA used this backpay to satisfy or pay down your existing “debt”.
- The total VF Service Fee (33%) = $1,650
- $1,650 x 20% interest rate = $330 added to total VF service fee
- 3 month payment plan ($1,650 VF service fee + 330 interest = $1,980 total) = $660 due each month
What does retroactive pay attributable to dependents mean?
If you are under 30%, this does not apply, as the VA will only award you back pay as a single veteran with no dependents. However, if you are awarded 30% or higher and the VA awards retroactive backpay for your dependents, this is also eligible for the VF service fee of 33%. If you are above 30% and your dependents are already recognized by the VA, then the VA will automatically calculate your back pay, which VF uses for their service fee calculation of 33%.
What exactly are the other expenses related to representation?
Two examples of extraordinary scenarios that a client would fall into this category.
- Should a client determine they want the accredited attorney to represent them in person before the Court of Appeals where travel is required.
- VF pays for additional expenses on behalf of the client for additional medical exams to attain medical evidence for a VA disability claim
- Other extraordinary scenarios may come up
The total amount of instances at this point of time where we had to invoice for additional expenses is $0 for 0 clients.
Why is there a $500 minimum fee if there is little or no backpay?
In some cases, the VA may approve a claim quickly or award little to no backpay. Even in those situations, significant work is still required to prepare and advocate the claim. If a contingency-based claim is granted but results in less than $500 in attorney’s fees (or no backpay at all), a flat minimum fee of $500 will apply and is due once the VA issues a favorable decision. This does not apply to initial claims, which are always handled at no cost, and it does not change the contingency fee for claims that generate sufficient backpay.
What is the Client’s Discharge of Attorney and the $200 per hour fee?
To be clear, there is no upfront fee required from the client at any time. The client may discharge VetsForever services at any time. This clause protects both parties by ensuring that the quality of service of processing the VA Claim submission is in a timely manner.
When would this fee be implemented?
- If VetsForever delivered all of the required documents to the client for review and the client then never responded back promptly (30 days or less) after multiple attempts or
- If the Client submitted their VA Claim using the provided forms by VetsForever
If either of the examples above takes place, then VetsForever would then invoice the client for time spent on preparing the documents.
If VetsForever submitted the VA claim on the client’s behalf, this Discharge Fee would be inapplicable.
What is the Late Payment Policy?
VF will invoice the client with a defined due date. If the client fails to pay by that due date, they still have (5) calendar days to pay the invoice. After the (5) calendar days, the client will be charged an additional $100 late fee. Multiple reminder emails before and after due date will be sent to remind the client of the due date on the invoice.
Note: If you submit an email, text, or call your advocate or the CEO to discuss your unique situation, this late fee may be waived. VF will work with clients in difficult situations or the VA has not deposited the backpay into their accounts.
After (30) calendar days, if the client does not respond to any of our attempts to collect the invoice payment, VF will reserve the right to pursue legal action. Again, VF will make every effort to avoid this amicably.