Navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system can be overwhelming for many veterans, sometimes leading to frustration and missed benefits. To ensure proper guidance, veterans often seek third-party assistance from organizations like Just4Veterans Enterprise, which provides Disability Benefits Educational and Professional Coaching Services to help veterans make informed decisions about their claims.
Unfortunately, some institutions exploit veterans, charging excessive fees or providing fraudulent assistance for VA claims. To combat this, the government enacted two key legislative acts:
- The PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023 (H.R. 1822)
- The PLUS for Veterans Act of 2025 (H.R. 1656)
Both bills amend Title 38 of the U.S. Code to ensure veterans receive transparent, accredited, and ethical assistance while preventing unauthorized representation.
Main Objectives of the PLUS for Veterans Acts (2023 & 2025)
The 2023 version of the act was introduced by Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI-1), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC-1), and Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA-46) to create strict accreditation processes for third-party VA claim representatives while guaranteeing transparency through congressional oversight.
The 2025 update further refines protections, strengthening fee regulations, clarifying medical report classifications, and expediting recognition of representatives to prevent delays in processing claims.
Key Provisions in the PLUS for Veterans Acts
1. Accreditation & Oversight Enhancements
- All VA claim assistance providers must be accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to ensure qualified representation.
- Mandatory disclosures require representatives to clearly display their accreditation status, protecting veterans from misleading services.
- Expanded oversight mechanisms safeguard veterans from exploitation by fraudulent third-party claim organizations.
2. Fee Limitations & Penalties for Unauthorized Charges
- The PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023 capped fees for assistance while penalizing unauthorized service providers.
- The 2025 update (H.R. 1656) refined fee agreements, allowing authorized attorneys and agents to charge reasonable fees for initial claims preparation.
3. Recognition & Access to Representation
- The VA must streamline the recognition process for appointed representatives, ensuring timely assistance for veterans.
- Under the 2025 Act, if the VA cannot verify an applicant’s qualifications within 90 days, they may receive conditional recognition for one year, preventing long delays.
4. Clarification on Medical Evaluations
- The PLUS Act of 2025 explicitly states that medical examinations and reports cannot be classified as claim preparation, ensuring medical professionals are not improperly categorized under VA laws.
Protecting Veterans from Fraudulent Claims Assistance
Under these laws, only accredited attorneys, claims agents, or recognized Veteran Service Organization (VSO) representatives can legally assist veterans with their VA claims.
Individuals falsely advertising themselves as experts can now face legal consequences, protecting veterans from being misled—especially when searching online for assistance.
Seeking Trusted Assistance for VA Claims
Veterans should turn to accredited organizations for VA claim guidance. Just4Veterans Enterprise provides Disability Benefits Educational and Professional Coaching Services, ensuring that veterans receive ethical, transparent, and knowledgeable support throughout the VA process.
How Just4Veterans Helps Veterans
- Free Consultation: Personalized strategy sessions with experienced veteran coaches.
- Video Telehealth: Access to independent veteran-friendly medical practitioners for evaluations and nexus letters.
- Evidence Review: Thorough HIPAA-compliant analysis of medical records to determine the best approach.
- Complete Walkthrough: Step-by-step guidance through the VA disability benefits application process.
With trusted partners like Just4Veterans, veterans can secure their benefits faster while navigating the VA system with confidence.
Final Thoughts
The PLUS for Veterans Acts of 2023 and 2025 reinforce veterans’ right to trusted representation, discourage exploitative practices, and ensure fair access to benefits. By enforcing accreditation, transparency, and oversight, these laws protect veterans from fraudulent claim services, making the VA process more efficient.
Sources:
- Full text of the PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023 (H.R. 1822) available at Congress.gov.
- Full text of the PLUS for Veterans Act of 2025 (H.R. 1656) available at Congress.gov.