A fierce legislative battle is unfolding over how everyday veterans file for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability benefits. As hundreds of thousands face a crippling claims backlog, lawmakers are debating two clashing pieces of legislation—the GUARD VA Benefits Act and the PLUS Act. This debate centers on whether veterans should retain the right to hire private consulting firms to expedite their claims or be strictly confined to traditional Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and VA-accredited attorneys. With billions of dollars in hard-earned benefits on the line, the outcome of this congressional fight will directly impact how you navigate an increasingly complex system.
Understanding the Severe Backlog Confronting Disabled Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently facing an overwhelming surge in disability compensation applications. According to industry watchdogs, there are more than 243,000 pending claims that are officially backlogged, meaning they have been languishing in the system for longer than 125 days. This logjam represents more than one-third of all active claims filed by veterans nationwide.
For everyday people who sustained physical or psychological injuries during their service, this bureaucratic inertia has real-world consequences. Waiting months or even years for a decision delays critical medical care and financial support. The current situation highlights a system under severe strain, leaving many injured service members feeling abandoned by the very agency established to protect them.
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The Core Conflict: Free Traditional Services Versus Private Consultants
To file a successful disability claim, you must provide extensive documentation, including definitive proof of military eligibility, medical diagnoses, and an explicit service connection. Navigating this burdensome process requires immense time and specialized knowledge. Historically, veterans have relied on free assistance from non-profit Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion, as well as VA-accredited lawyers.
However, many veterans report that traditional VSOs are severely understaffed, under-resourced, and struggling to keep pace with the massive volume of applications. This lack of capacity has driven tens of thousands of claimants to seek out private, unaccredited disability consulting firms. These companies charge fees—often a portion of the veteran’s retroactive benefit increase—to expertly package, vet, and submit thorough claims packets, boasting significantly higher success rates and faster turnaround times.
The GUARD VA Benefits Act: Criminalizing Private Assistance
The first legislative path before Congress is the Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act, commonly known as the GUARD VA Benefits Act. Strongly backed by major traditional VSOs, this bill seeks to restore strict criminal penalties—including fines and potential jail time—for any individual or company that assists a veteran in preparing, presenting, or prosecuting a benefits claim without formal VA accreditation.
Proponents of the GUARD Act argue that these measures are absolutely necessary to hold predatory “claims sharks” accountable. Traditional advocacy groups maintain that private, unaccredited consulting firms exploit vulnerable individuals, tricking them into signing away thousands of dollars for services that should be provided entirely for free. They assert that criminalizing unaccredited assistance is the only way to safeguard veterans and their survivors from financial exploitation.
The PLUS Act: Expanding Options and Simplifying Accreditation
Conversely, an opposing coalition of advocacy groups, including the Special Operations Association of America, is championing a counter-proposal known as the PLUS Act. This legislation approaches the problem from a perspective of consumer choice and market regulation rather than outright prohibition. Instead of banning private consultants, the PLUS Act seeks to simplify, modernize, and expand the formal VA accreditation process.
Advocates for the PLUS Act argue that veterans are highly capable individuals who fought for our nation’s freedom and should be trusted to make their own choices regarding their legal and financial affairs. By creating a clear pathway for private consultants to become legally approved by the VA, the PLUS Act aims to enforce strict oversight, cap maximum costs, and eliminate bad actors while preserving a veteran’s right to choose how they navigate their claims process.
Don't Stand Alone: Let a Veterans Guide Representative Review Your Options
The complex web of federal regulations, backlogs, and shifting legislative proposals can make securing your hard-earned benefits feel like an uphill battle. But you do not have to stand alone against a sprawling federal bureaucracy. Whether Congress ultimately passes the GUARD Act or the PLUS Act, your voice and your right to fair compensation remain paramount.
Veterans Guide helps veterans understand their VA disability options, pursue higher ratings, appeal denied claims, and navigate benefits questions with confidence.
If you believe your VA rating is too low, your claim was wrongly denied, or your family may qualify for survivor benefits, contact Veterans Guide for help reviewing your options.
