VA Form 21-22a: how claims agents are appointed (power of attorney rules)
An accredited agent cannot represent anyone until a valid power of attorney is on file. For an individual agent or attorney, that is VA Form 21-22a, Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative (38 CFR 14.631(a); VA Form 21-22a). VSOs use VA Form 21-22 instead (VA Form 21-22).
Requirements for a valid POA
- It must be signed by the claimant (or a guardian, or, for an incompetent, minor, or incapacitated person without a guardian, the spouse, parent, other relative or friend, or hospital director, in that order) and by the accredited representative. Without the representative's signature, the appointment is invalid (14.631(a)(1)).
- It must be presented to the appropriate VA office for the claims folder (14.631(a)(2)). It is not filed with OGC (VA OGC).
- The current PDF is the July 2023 revision. It shows an OMB expiration date of 07/31/2026, so check VA forms for any newer version before using it.
What's on the form (July 2023 revision)
- Sections I–II: veteran and claimant information (international addresses supported)
- Section III: the appointed individual. Item 16B is a checkbox for attorney, agent, VSO representative, or a one-time 14.630 representative (which needs extra no-compensation signatures)
- Section IV: authorizations, including disclosure to affiliated staff (item 19), records protected by 38 U.S.C. 7332, such as treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, HIV, and sickle cell anemia (item 20; these are not disclosed unless the box is checked), limits on that consent (21), and permission to change the claimant's address (22)
- Item 24: limitations on representation (agents or attorneys only)
- Signatures of the claimant (23A) and representative (25A)
Rules that matter in practice
- One at a time: only one organization, representative, agent, or attorney is recognized at a time on a particular claim (14.631(e)(1)).
- New POA revokes the old one unless the claimant says otherwise (14.631(f)(1)). The form says that, unless an agent or attorney limits it, the POA "revokes all previously existing powers of attorney" (Form 21-22a, item 24).
- Limited scope: an agent who limits representation to a particular claim revokes the existing general POA only for that claim while it is pending. The general POA then resumes (14.631(f)(2)).
- Discharge: a claimant may revoke a POA or discharge an agent at any time (14.631(f)(1)).
- Withdrawal: you may withdraw before the AOJ if it would not adversely affect the claimant's interests, or for listed good-cause reasons (14.631(c)).
- Fees: a filed POA is one of the conditions for charging a fee (14.636(c)(1)(i)). See fee agreements.
Check yourself
Original practice questions that passed an independent fact-check against current eCFR and U.S. Code text. They are not actual exam questions.
1. A veteran is incompetent, has no guardian, and is married. His parents are also living. Under 38 CFR 14.631(a)(1)(iii), who signs the power of attorney on the claimant's behalf, in the order named?
- A. The parent
- B. The director of the hospital in which the veteran is maintained
- C. Any friend whose interests are not adverse
- D. The spouse
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. For an incompetent, minor, or otherwise incapacitated person without a guardian, the regulation lists signers 'in the order named': spouse, parent, other relative or friend (if interests are not adverse), or the director of the hospital where the claimant is maintained. A living spouse comes first.
Source: 38 CFR 14.631(a)(1)(iii)
2. A veteran has a general power of attorney on file appointing a service organization. For one particular claim, she signs a VA Form 21-22a with an accredited agent who limits the scope of his representation to that claim. Under 38 CFR 14.631(f)(2), what is the effect on the organization's general power of attorney?
- A. It is revoked entirely and permanently, for all of the veteran's pending and future claims.
- B. It is revoked only for that particular claim while it is pending, and it stays in effect for any new or reopened claim afterward.
- C. It is unaffected, so the organization and the agent both represent the veteran on that particular claim.
- D. It is suspended for one year, after which it automatically covers the particular claim as well.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. A limited-scope appointment on VA Form 21-22a revokes an existing general power of attorney 'only as it pertains to, and during the pendency of, that particular claim.' After that claim is finally determined, the general power of attorney remains in effect for any new or reopened claim.
Source: 38 CFR 14.631(f)(2)
More practice: 12 sample questions · free quiz
Frequently asked questions
What form appoints a VA-accredited claims agent?
VA Form 21-22a, Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative (VA Form 21-22a; 38 CFR 14.631(a)).
Where is VA Form 21-22a filed?
With the VA office that has jurisdiction over the claim, generally a regional office or the Board, not with OGC (VA OGC).
Can a claims agent limit the scope of representation?
Yes. Agents and attorneys may limit scope in item 24. A limited appointment revokes an existing general POA only for that claim while it is pending (38 CFR 14.631(f)(2)).
Sources
Checked October 4, 2026. Primary sources unless marked SECONDARY.
- 38 CFR 14.631, Powers of attorney (eCFR)
- VA Form 21-22a, Appointment of Individual as Claimant's Representative (PDF, July 2023 revision)
- VA Form 21-22, Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative (PDF)
- VA Office of General Counsel (OGC), Accreditation, Discipline, & Fees Program page (page shows 'Last updated June 15, 2026')
- 38 CFR 14.636, Payment of fees (eCFR)