Hamilton Co. Veterans Service Officer's advice on paying for help on VA claims
CHATTANOOGA, Tn — We talked to the Hamilton County Veteran Services Officer about what you should consider before paying anyone for help with V-A claims.
You may have seen TV ads from attorneys offering to help veterans if they were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Well, last month two members of Congress introduced HR 1204.
If this passes it would cap legal fees attorneys can get for services connected to claims involving the water at Camp Lejeune.
I talked to Hamilton County Veteran Services Officer, Chuck Alsobrook, about what you should do if you are considering signing a contract with a lawyer around any VA issue.
He says first check with your local VSO.
VSOs are funded by the county government, and don't charge for any of their services.
"No veteran or widow should have to pay up front for any VA representation. That's the whole purpose of VSOs," Alsobrook said. "Tax dollars are going to fund VSO offices to provide free coverage or services to veterans and widows who earned what they're entitled to."
Another thing to keep in mind if you are under contract with an attorney the VSO can not work with you because you can only have one representative working with the VA on your behalf at any given time.
