05/29/2026
Don't be fooled!
A company violated federal law for acting as a vetted agent and charging veterans fees to help file disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs, a North Carolina court ruled this week.
The federal circuit court ruling issued Wednesday found that Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting, LLC, also referred to as “Guardian” in court documents, ran afoul of federal law. The class action lawsuit brought by veterans also alleges that the company violated North Carolina laws around deceptive trade practices, but the court has not ruled on it yet.
“Federal law and the undisputed facts establish that Guardian acts as an agent on behalf of class members in the preparation of VA disability claims and in the presentation of VA disability claims. The undisputed facts show that Guardian is not accredited, as federal law requires of those who prepare or present claims on behalf of veterans, and that it charges and collects fees for those services in violation of federal law,” the judge ruled.
The ruling is one of the few court cases to look at the legality of companies — sometimes referred to as “claim sharks” — that offer services to file initial VA disability claims, or help veterans increase their VA rating, which can result in higher monthly compensation.
