Elrod Legal

Glad to see Arizona taking action against misleading “claim shark” practices targeting veterans.

Far too many veterans are being charged outrageous fees by unaccredited companies that are not authorized by the VA to provide legal representation on disability claims. Veterans should know that not everyone advertising VA claim help is operating ethically or legally.

Before hiring anyone to assist with a VA disability claim, verify that they are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veterans deserve qualified, accountable advocates who put their interests first.

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-nearly-2-million-settlement-protect-veterans?fbclid=IwY2xjawR-ostleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeuIc5rlasPlppV3Sp29z7UKcbxhoBAiUx_Q7fvpUCmvGvfgDXI1vp1wlH7kA_aem_g3BldpuB8wL0emj3tIr2WQ

Attorney General Mayes Announces Nearly $2 Million Settlement to Protect Veterans from Misleading Disability Claims Practices | Attorney General's Office PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced her office has secured $1.95 million in restitution, civil penalties, and fees from White Tanks Group LLC,

What is a claim shark? And why does VA accreditation matter?

https://www.elrodlegal.com/sharks

Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a victory in his lawsuit against VA Claims Insider, LLC (“VACI”). The lawsuit alleged VACI posed as a legitimate veterans’ assistance organization while deceptively charging disabled veterans fees for what it represented as help navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) benefits and claims process.

Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit alleged VACI marketed its services as “free” coaching to assist veterans in the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of VA benefit claims, despite not being accredited by the VA to perform those services. The lawsuit further alleged VACI misrepresented its cancellation procedures and its contract terms, including the true cost of services. It also noted that VACI misrepresented its relationship to its recommended medical provider. Then, if veterans refused to pay unexpected fees, VACI initiated burdensome debt collection efforts against them.

“Disabled veterans are our nation’s heroes who put their lives on the line for our country, and no company will be allowed to pose as a legitimate VA service in order to scam and deceive them,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This judgment ensures that disabled veterans are protected from VACI’s fraudulent VA assistance scheme and will not be held responsible for illegitimate debts.”

Under the agreed final judgment and permanent injunction, VACI is prohibited from collecting any debts incurred by consumers who were misled into believing VACI’s services were free. VACI has agreed to forego debt collection on qualifying debts incurred for the past nine years, which is an estimated total of over $6.8 million in debt forgiveness to disabled veterans.

www.texasattorneygeneral.gov

2025 at Elrod Legal — by the numbers.

🥧 3,300 VA disability claims filed
💵 $7,233,864.27 recovered in retroactive backpay

One thing that sets us apart:
We file new claims at no cost to Veterans, as required by federal law. Many firms choose not to handle new claims at all — we believe Veterans deserve strong advocacy from day one.

Proud of the work. Honored to serve.

Politics aside, it might be time to start asking your member of Congress where they stand on Veterans being taken advantage of.

Congress calls for a crackdown on companies charging disabled vets Congress is calling for action in response to reporting last week from NPR that "claim shark" companies are using aggressive tactics to make millions off of veterans, despite warnings from VA's that it may be illegal.

https://thewarhorse.org/veterans-affairs-claim-benefit-company-letters/

VA Warned These Companies They May Be Breaking the Law. Most Are Still in Business Companies that help veterans file their disability benefits received warning letters from Veterans Affairs that claimed they may be acting illegally.