Congress Targets Companies Overcharging Disabled Veterans

Erik Jensen, a 30-year Navy veteran, sat in his Oregon home, staring at a stack of bills from Trajector Medical, a company he had hired to help him navigate the complex process of filing for disability benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The total came to $12,000, a sum that left him feeling taken advantage of and frustrated. "I felt like I was being scammed," Jensen said, his voice laced with anger and disappointment. "I thought I was getting help, but it turned out to be a money grab." Jensen's experience is not unique. A growing number of veterans are falling prey to unaccredited companies that charge them for help filing for disability benefits, despite warnings from the VA's lawyers that doing so may be in violation of federal law. In response, a group of 43 members of Congress is calling for action against these companies, citing a lack of oversight and accountability. The claims consulting industry has grown exponentially in recent years, with some companies making millions off of veterans who are struggling to navigate the complex process of filing for disability benefits. The VA provides free support to veterans through accredited services, but many veterans, like Jensen, seek out private companies for help. These companies often use aggressive tactics to recruit clients, including cold-calling and sending unsolicited emails and letters. The VA has long warned about the dangers of unaccredited representatives, who are often referred to as "claim sharks." In 2019, the VA's Office of General Counsel issued a memo warning that these companies may be in violation of federal law, which prohibits charging veterans for help filing for disability benefits. Despite this warning, the industry has continued to grow, with some companies charging veterans thousands of dollars for services that are supposed to be free. The issue has sparked a heated debate in Congress, with some lawmakers calling for stricter regulations and others arguing that the VA needs to do more to provide support to veterans. "For years, we have warned that unaccredited representatives commonly known as claim sharks charge illegal fees, misrepresent their services, and exploit a loophole in federal law to escape accountability," said a statement from the group of 43 lawmakers. "It's time for the VA to take action and protect our nation's heroes from these predatory practices." Experts say that the issue is complex and multifaceted, with both the VA and the private sector playing a role. "The VA has a responsibility to provide support to veterans, but it's also important to recognize that many veterans need help navigating the complex process of filing for disability benefits," said Dr. Katherine McCoy, a veteran's advocate and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. "The problem is that the VA's free services are often not enough, and veterans are left feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. That's where the private sector comes in, but it's also where the problems begin." Dr. McCoy argues that the VA needs to do more to provide support to veterans, including increasing funding for its free services and providing more resources for veterans who are struggling to navigate the claims process. "The VA needs to take a more proactive approach to supporting veterans, rather than just reacting to the problems that arise," she said. In the meantime, veterans like Jensen are left to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of the complex and often confusing process of filing for disability benefits. "I just wish that someone had warned me about the risks of hiring a private company to help me," Jensen said. "I would have never spent $12,000 if I had known what I know now." As the debate in Congress continues, one thing is clear: the issue of unaccredited companies charging veterans for help filing for disability benefits is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive solution. With millions of dollars at stake and the well-being of countless veterans hanging in the balance, it's time for the VA and Congress to take action and protect our nation's heroes from these predatory practices.