How to file a complaint against a VA claims agent

Two official paths exist: the FTC Complaint Assistant relayed to VA's OGC, or a written complaint with VA Form 3288 sent directly to the OGC. Here is how each works.

FTC or OGC pathVA Form 3288 requiredAnyone can file

If a VA accredited claims agent, attorney, or VSO representative acted unethically or illegally while helping with a benefits claim, you are not stuck. Federal rules give veterans, dependents, and survivors a formal way to complain, and VA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) is required to take those complaints seriously. This guide walks through exactly where to file, what to include, and what happens next.

Who watches accredited representatives

VA's OGC monitors accredited representatives in coordination with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). That partnership exists because bad actors sometimes cross the line from poor service into conduct that violates federal or state law. The Congressional Research Service has documented how the two agencies share complaint data so patterns get noticed even when individual veterans do not realize they are part of a bigger problem.

The two filing paths

VA provides two ways to file. Path one runs through the FTC's web-based Complaint Assistant, linked directly from the OGC accreditation and discipline webpage. The FTC relays your complaint to VA's OGC, and it is also added to the FTC's Sentinel database, which gives federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies access to consumer complaints. Path two goes straight to VA: you submit a written explanation of what happened plus a completed VA Form 3288 directly to the OGC.

Which path fits your situation

If your complaint involves someone assisting with VA pension benefits, use the FTC Complaint Assistant link. If it involves a compensation claim or another non-pension benefit and you believe laws beyond VA accreditation rules may have been broken, you can also use the FTC link so other authorities see it. If your complaint is against a VA-accredited attorney, claims agent, or VSO representative and you believe it only involves a violation of the standards of conduct, or you do not want other law enforcement entities notified right away, file directly with VA's accreditation and discipline program instead.

What to include

Write a clear, dated account of what happened: who helped you, what they did, when it happened, and what it cost you. Attach copies, not originals, of anything that backs up your story, such as fee agreements, emails, or receipts. Complete VA Form 3288, which authorizes VA to share your name and complaint details with the practitioner during the investigation. Without that consent, the OGC cannot fully investigate.

What the OGC can do

After reviewing your complaint, the OGC decides whether the representative violated accreditation standards. Sanctions can include suspension or cancellation of accreditation, which ends the person's legal ability to represent claimants before VA. The OGC can also send the matter to state or federal law enforcement when the conduct looks criminal or violates other laws. Even when your individual complaint does not trigger action alone, it joins a database where investigators spot repeat offenders.

Confirm accreditation first

Before filing, confirm the person's accreditation status on the OGC accreditation search page. The complaint process described here applies to VA-accredited individuals. If the person was never accredited, that is itself a serious red flag, and the FTC path is the better route because unaccredited claims assistance for a fee can violate other federal and state laws.

Which filing path fits your situation?

Tap the option closest to your case to see where VA says to file.

Frequently asked questions

Who can file a complaint against a VA accredited claims agent?

Veterans, dependents, and survivors may file a complaint against any accredited representative, including claims agents, attorneys, and VSO representatives. You do not need to be the veteran yourself; family members and survivors with a stake in the claim can file.

What are the two ways to file a complaint?

First, you can submit a complaint through the FTC Complaint Assistant web form linked on the OGC accreditation page; the FTC relays it to VA's OGC and it is added to the FTC Sentinel database. Second, you can send a written explanation of the complaint plus a completed VA Form 3288 directly to VA's Office of General Counsel.

Where do I send a written complaint to the OGC?

Mail your written complaint and completed VA Form 3288 to: Office of General Counsel (022D), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. You can also call 202-461-7699 for information about the accreditation and discipline program.

What is VA Form 3288 and why is it required?

VA Form 3288 is the Request for and Consent to Release of Information from Individual Records. It allows VA to disclose your name and the information in your complaint to the accredited practitioner you are complaining about, which is necessary for the investigation to proceed.

Can the OGC refer my complaint to law enforcement?

Yes. In addition to investigating and taking accreditation action itself, the OGC may refer matters to other state and federal law enforcement authorities for possible inquiry, especially when conduct may violate laws beyond VA accreditation rules.

What happens after I file?

The OGC reviews the complaint to decide whether the representative's conduct violated accreditation standards. Possible outcomes range from dismissal to suspension or cancellation of accreditation. Because complaints filed through the FTC also enter the Sentinel database, other agencies can see patterns across many complaints.

Primary sources

VA Claims Agent Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dana and Marcus are AI study hosts.