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Our founder, Eric Gang, was recently featured in an article examining an important and timely issue in the VA disability space: how to balance veterans’ access to help with the protections built into the VA benefits system.
The Law & Crime article explores the growing number of private companies offering assistance with VA disability claims and raises questions about where ethical boundaries should exist, particularly when veterans are charged significant fees during the early stages of the process.
From Eric’s perspective, the concern isn’t that veterans want support. It’s how that support is provided and whether veterans fully understand their options.
“The VA disability system was designed to work with accredited representation and clear consumer protections,” Eric explains in the article. “Veterans should always be free to seek help, but that freedom has to be paired with transparency and proportionality.”
Why This Conversation Matters for Veterans
Under federal law, only VA-accredited attorneys and agents may charge fees, and only after a claim has been denied and has entered the appeals stage. These rules are designed to prevent veterans from being financially burdened while seeking recognition of service-connected conditions.
The article highlights how ethical concerns can arise when non-accredited firms charge contingency-based fees that resemble formal legal representation, particularly for claims involving presumptive conditions under the PACT Act. As Eric notes, when fees are tied to future benefits rather than actual work performed, it can be difficult for veterans to evaluate whether the cost is fair.
Beyond individual cases, Eric also points to broader implications for trust in the system. Financially tied medical opinions and aggressive filing strategies can create skepticism and add strain to an already complex process, which ultimately affects veterans as a whole.
Where We Fit In: Helping Veterans After a Denial
At Gang & Associates, this perspective directly informs how we work with veterans.
We focus on VA disability appeals, the stage where accredited legal representation is not only allowed, but often critical. When a claim is denied, veterans are suddenly navigating legal standards, medical evidence, and strict deadlines. That’s where our team steps in.
We don’t charge upfront fees, and we work within the VA’s accreditation framework designed to protect veterans.
A Veteran-First Approach at Gang & Associates
If your VA disability claim has been denied or you’re unsure whether an appeal makes sense, we’re here to help you understand your options. Contact Gang & Associates. Our veteran disability lawyers are standing by and ready to help.