The House Appropriations Committee may have finally given veterans and taxpayers the chance to see whether high-priced lawyers are helping service members get Department of Veterans Affairs benefits — or whether they are fleecing everyone for hundreds of millions of dollars. In late April, committee Members voted 58-0 to approve a fiscal 2027 budget for veterans. There is a lot here for veterans to celebrate, but one of the most important provisions is buried deep in a nearly 100-page report accompanying the bill. On page 29, under the heading, “attorney fees,” the committee directs the VA to deliver a report on “the aggregate costs associated with veterans and dependents obtaining attorney representation in VA appeals.” It’s only a single sentence fragment. But it’s a huge win for veterans who can spend up to seven years trying to secure disability benefits. In 2025, the VA sent $394.7 million to attorneys and claims agents, and legally, lawyers can charge up to 20% of a veteran’s backpay, with up to another 13% of the veteran’s backpay funded directly by the VA.
BEFORE AMERICA DEEPENS IRAN WAR INVOLVEMENT, FIX HOW WE CARE FOR VETERANS
That’s 33% of what a veteran is supposed to take home. And since attorneys charge by the hour, they have an incentive to make things last as long as possible, which is no good for veterans or taxpayers.
