Frequently Asked Questions
What is Warrior Advocates? Warrior Advocates is a veteran-founded consulting company that helps fellow veterans navigate the VA disability benefits process, including records review, nexus letters, and Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam coaching, with personalized support from a Veteran Coach throughout the claim journey.
How does Warrior Advocates help with VA disability benefits? We assist by: • Helping you apply for disability benefits starting with submitting an Intent to File • Reviewing your service records to identify all potential disability categories • Helping you connect your conditions to service through nexus letters • Educating you to be prepared for your C&P exam • Strategizing claim steps from start to finish Your Veteran Coach guides you one-on-one so you’re informed and confident throughout the process.
What is a nexus letter? A letter from a board-certified and licensed physician connecting your claimed medical condition/disability to your military service.
Who is Warrior Advocates best for? Warrior Advocates’ services are ideal for veterans who: • Want personalized, one-on-one support • Have been denied or received an underrated claim in the past • Feel overwhelmed or unsure navigating VA disability claims alone • Want help identifying overlooked conditions • Prefer human firsthand guidance over generic tools or automated systems
What are the steps to submitting a VA claim? Your Warrior Advocates Coach will walk you through the process from start to finish, answering any questions you may have during your one-on-one meetings. Generally, the VA Claims process includes the following phases, with varying timelines, subject to each case’s unique claim: • Preparation and documentation to secure all necessary and supporting documentation. • Official filing for disability online, by mail, in person, by fax, or through a certified representative. • Attending Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams if scheduled • VA review of your claim takes an average of 82 days. During this time, you are encouraged to check the status of your claim, at the link below.
Do you file claims on my behalf with the VA? To support federal and state legal requirements, we assist throughout the process providing you the resources you need to feel confident in filing your claim with the VA. We serve as consultants and are not legally allowed to serve as your official representative. As such, we do not prepare nor file claims with the VA on your behalf.
Do you diagnose conditions or provide medical opinions? No. Diagnoses and medical opinions must come from licensed medical professionals. Warrior Advocates helps you understand what documentation may be needed and how to present existing medical evidence properly.
Am I required to use Warrior Advocates to submit a claim? No. Using Warrior Advocates is optional, but a service our clients have found effective. You may file claims on your own or work with free service organizations (like Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion), VA accredited agents, or attorneys.
Are Warrior Advocates’ services free? Warrior Advocates does not charge upfront fees for disability claims support. Our compensation is based upon a successful outcome and outlined on our Pricing page (link below). Please note that this arrangement does not cover costs associated with medical evaluations or services provided by independent or third-party medical professionals, which may be required and are billed separately.
What are potential costs associated with submitting a VA claim? Filing a VA disability claim itself does not require a filing fee. However, depending on an individual’s situation, there may be related costs during the process. These can include: • Medical evaluations or examinations conducted by private or independent providers • Medical records retrieval fees, if records are not readily available • Optional expert opinions or supporting documentation, when additional evidence is needed These costs vary by case and are not charged by the VA. Any third-party services are billed separately by the provider offering them.
Why should I pay for help when there are free veteran service organizations (VSOs)? Free VSOs can be great resources, but they often handle high claim volumes, which can limit one-on-one attention to your claim. Warrior Advocates offers personalized, hands-on guidance with a dedicated Veteran Coach who works closely with you to identify missed conditions, strengthen evidence, and prepare you for each step of the process.
Is Warrior Advocates better than a free VSO? We’re not “better” — we’re different. Free VSOs provide broad support at no cost, while Warrior Advocates focuses on individual strategy, education, and preparation. Many veterans choose us when they want more time, structure, and clarity throughout their claim.
Can I use Warrior Advocates and a free VSO at the same time? Yes. Some veterans use a VSO to submit paperwork while working with Warrior Advocates for coaching, claim strategy, and compensation & pension exam preparation. Ultimately, it’s your claim and your choice.
Can Warrior Advocates guarantee my claim will be approved? No. We do not guarantee specific outcomes. Individual results vary based on your military service, evidence, available medical information, and VA decisions.
What if I already have an attorney or accredited representative? Warrior Advocates does not replace your existing legal or accredited representation. You should coordinate through your attorney or representative for any matters they handle.
Why is human guidance as opposed to AI applications important for VA disability claims? VA disability claims are highly individual. Small details in your service history, medical records, or compensation & pension exam responses can make a big difference. Human guidance helps ensure nothing is overlooked and you feel prepared, not just informed.
Will you handle appeals if my claim is denied? We can help you prepare better documentation and strategies if you decide to pursue secondary or supplemental claims, but we do not serve as legal advocates or formally represent you in appeals proceedings.
Can you help me file for VA healthcare enrollment or manage my VA health benefits? No. We focus exclusively on VA disability compensation benefits. Questions about VA healthcare enrollment, appointments, prescriptions, or treatment options are best handled by your local VA health facility or providers.
Can you assist with mental health support, counseling, or PTSD therapy? Warrior Advocates does not provide mental health care or therapy services. For support with PTSD, trauma, or emotional well-being, please contact mental health professionals or services such as the VA/Warrior Care Network. There are also resources available from the National Center for PTSD at the link below. Please know, if you’re thinking about hurting yourself or feel like you might be in danger, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline any time. You don’t have to go through this alone; call, text, or chat with someone 24/7 for free at 988.
Can you help me with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or other non-VA income programs? No. We are not able to assist with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Social Security Insurance (SSI), or other federal disability/income programs unrelated to VA disability benefits. You’ll need to contact Social Security Administration resources for SSDI support.
Do you handle military records requests (like DD214 retrieval)? For copies of service records, you’ll need to request them through the National Archives (link below) or your branch’s records center directly.
Can you help with job placement, education benefits, or state veteran resource programs? We do not provide job placement, education enrollment, or state benefits navigation directly.
Will you help me correct my military records or downgrades in service? We are not legal advocates for correction of military records. Legal service organizations or attorneys experienced in military records corrections are best for those requests.
Do you help with family or survivor benefits like Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)? We focus on service-connected disability benefits. For specific survivor benefits, DIC, or dependent programs, reach out to VA directly or accredited VSOs.
Pricing Specific FAQ
How much does Warrior Advocates charge for its services? Warrior Advocates charges a contingency-based fee — you pay nothing unless you win your claim and receive a higher VA disability rating. Our standard fee is two times (2x) the monthly increase in your disability compensation after a favorable decision. We focus on service-connected disability benefits. For specific survivor benefits, DIC, or dependent programs, reach out to VA directly or accredited VSOs.
What does “two times the monthly increase” mean? If your rating increases and your monthly disability compensation goes up, we calculate the fee as two times the difference between your old and new monthly amount. For example: Before: $1,000/month After: $2,000/month Monthly increase: $1,000 Fee: $1,000 × 2 = $2,000.
Will the fee be less than the backpay I receive? In almost every case, your backpay will cover our fee — and you’ll still have money left over. That’s because the average VA disability claim process takes many months, so backpay can be substantial.
What is the average wait time for backpay once an updated VA disability rating is approved? Once the VA approves a disability claim or an increase in rating, back pay (retroactive benefits) is typically processed and sent within about 15 to 45 business days. This payment is usually issued as a single lump sum directly to the veteran’s bank account.
Are there any discounts available on the fee? Yes — a 10% discount if you pay in full within 30 days.
Can I pay over time if I can’t pay the fee all at once? Yes. If paying in full isn’t best for you, you can choose to pay 50% of the invoice initially and spread the remaining balance over 6 monthly payments with no interest.
How does the monthly payment option work? For example, a fee of $3,000 can be divided into an initial payment of $1,500, followed by 6 monthly payments of $250.
Still Have a Question?
Reach out to Warrior Advocates directly and we’ll be happy to help answer.
Email: Info@warrioradvocatesteam.com
Phone: (850) 792-2069