Relationships with accredited representatives do not always work out. Maybe communication dried up, maybe you lost confidence, or maybe you simply found someone you trust more. Whatever the reason, the decision is yours. VA regulations say a power of attorney may be revoked at any time, and an agent or attorney may be discharged at any time. You do not need permission from the representative, and you do not owe VA an explanation. This guide covers the two official routes to make the change, what a proper written revocation includes, and how to protect your pending claims during the switch. This is general information about VA procedures, not legal advice.
What revocation actually does
When you revoke a power of attorney, you end that person's legal authority to act on your behalf before VA. They can no longer submit evidence for you, receive your VA correspondence, or speak to VA about your claim. Revocation does not cancel your claim. It does not restart the clock on anything, and it does not wipe out your effective date. Your claim file, your evidence, and your place in line stay exactly where they are. That last point matters because a common worry is that changing representatives will delay a claim for months. The claim itself is unaffected, although a brand new representative will need time to review your file before they can help you effectively, so keep an eye on any upcoming deadlines yourself during the transition.
Route one: appoint a new representative
The simplest path, and the one most claimants use, is to appoint someone new. Under 38 CFR 14.631, when VA receives a new power of attorney that you signed, it generally counts as a revocation of the existing one, unless you specifically indicate otherwise. In practical terms, that means filing a new VA Form 21-22 to appoint a Veterans Service Organization, or a new VA Form 21-22a to appoint an individual claims agent or attorney, replaces your old representative automatically. There is no separate revocation step, no awkward conversation required, and no extra form. Use VA Form 21-22a when the new representative is a single person rather than a VSO, and make sure the form identifies any limitations on the scope of representation that you want. Before you sign anything, verify the new person's accreditation status on the OGC accreditation search page. Appointing an unaccredited person who charges for help can create problems that a revocation cannot fix.
Route two: send a written revocation
If you do not have a new representative lined up yet, or you simply want the current appointment ended right now, send VA a written revocation. The VA Form 21-22a conditions of appointment spell out the rule: the appointment stays in effect until you revoke it by filing a written revocation with VA. A plain signed statement works. Include your full name and enough identifying information for VA to locate your file, the full name of the representative you are revoking, a clear sentence stating that you revoke the appointment, your signature, and the date. Deliver it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a tracking number or hand delivery to a VA regional office, and keep a copy for your records. It is also smart to send a copy directly to the representative you are removing so there is no confusion about their authority going forward. Once VA processes the revocation, that representative can no longer act on your claim, and you are on your own until you appoint someone else, so track your own deadlines in the meantime.
What happens to your pending claims and appeals
Nothing in your claim file changes when representation changes. Pending claims, supplemental claims, higher-level reviews, and Board appeals all continue. VA correspondence starts coming directly to you if no new representative is appointed, which is exactly why you want a clean paper trail and your own deadline calendar. If a fee agreement existed with the representative you fired, review it. Fee obligations for work already performed are governed by the agreement and by the fee rules in 38 CFR 14.636, including the standards for reasonable fees. If you believe a fee demand is improper, the OGC accreditation and discipline program takes complaints against accredited representatives. Revoking a power of attorney is separate from disputing a fee, but the two situations sometimes arrive together, so keep your fee agreement, any billing records, and your revocation letter together.
Choosing a new representative after a bad experience
A rough first experience does not mean representation is a bad idea. Many veterans switch from one VSO to another, from a VSO to an independent claims agent, or from an agent to an attorney, and get better results the second time. Check the OGC accreditation search to confirm the new person is accredited and in good standing. Ask how they communicate, how often they will update you, and who actually handles your file day to day. If the person will charge fees, get the fee agreement in writing before any work begins and confirm it complies with VA's fee rules. Then file the new appointment form promptly, because every day without an appointed representative is a day your deadlines rest entirely on your shoulders.
Your revocation checklist
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Frequently asked questions
Can I fire my VA claims agent at any time?
Yes. VA regulations state that a power of attorney may be revoked at any time, and an agent or attorney may be discharged at any time. The change takes effect with VA when VA receives either your written revocation or a new power of attorney naming a different representative.
Do I need a reason to revoke my VA power of attorney?
No. VA does not require you to explain why you are ending the representation. Your written revocation only needs to identify you, identify the representative you are removing, and state clearly that you revoke the appointment.
What happens to my pending claim if I fire my representative?
Your claim keeps moving. Revoking a power of attorney changes who may act on your behalf, not the claim itself. Deadlines on pending claims and appeals still apply, so do not let a gap in representation cause you to miss one.
What must my written revocation include?
Include your full name and enough identifying information for VA to find your file, the name of the representative you are revoking, a clear statement that you revoke the appointment, your signature, and the date. Keep a copy and send it in a trackable way.
If I appoint a new representative, is the old one automatically revoked?
Yes. Under 38 CFR 14.631, receipt of a new power of attorney executed by you generally constitutes a revocation of the existing power of attorney, unless you specifically indicate otherwise. File the new VA Form 21-22 or 21-22a and the change happens through that filing.
How do I pick a new representative after firing the old one?
Verify the person is VA accredited before you appoint them by using the OGC accreditation search. Then complete VA Form 21-22 to appoint a VSO, or VA Form 21-22a to appoint an individual claims agent or attorney. Give the new representative your claim file and any deadlines as soon as possible.
Primary sources
- VA Form 21-22a: Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative, VA.gov
- VA Form 21-22: Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative, VA.gov
- OGC Accreditation Search, VA Office of General Counsel
- 38 CFR 14.631, Powers of attorney (eCFR)
VA Claims Agent Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This page is general information, not legal advice.