How ‘claim sharks’ cost Ohio veterans thousands as they seek VA benefits – Signal Akron

How ‘claim sharks’ cost Ohio veterans thousands as they seek VA benefits  Signal Akron

Unaccredited veterans’ claims services violate federal law when they charge Ohio veterans thousands of dollars to file disability claims. For-profit, unaccredited veterans’ claims services, often dubbed “claim sharks” by veterans’ affairs officials, are violating federal law by charging Ohio veterans thousands of dollars in fees — in many cases far higher than the benefits they receive — when they file disability claims.  Many of these organizations are at work in Akron, said Larry Moore, the director of the Veterans Service Commission of Summit County, even though area veterans can receive help with their applications from the commission for free.  “Claim sharks” exploit the complex and time-consuming nature of the VA claims process while promising to help veterans obtain or increase their benefits, according to the Veterans Legal Center.

They frequently assert that if a veteran works with them, approval of their claim is guaranteed.  Signals 330 keeps you informed and curates Akron just for you. Get the news you need in this free newsletter. Ohio House Bill 708 would govern the practices of providing veterans with claim consulting assistance. While the bill would set limits on some of the unaccredited services’ practices, such as charging more than $5 to obtain a military discharge record, it would allow the agencies to lock veterans into contracts.  Signal Akron is powered by readers