VA Form 21-22 (Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative) lets you officially appoint an accredited VSO — like the VFW, DAV, American Legion, or your state veterans agency — to represent you on a VA claim or appeal. VSO representation is free.
What a VSO does
- •Helps you file your claim and organize evidence.
- •Represents you in the claims process and on appeals.
- •Reviews decisions and advises on next steps.
A VSO is a VA-accredited representative — not a paid claim service. They cannot charge you for help with your VA claim.
21-22 vs. 21-22a
- •VA Form 21-22 appoints an organization (a VSO).
- •VA Form 21-22a appoints an individual — an accredited attorney or claims agent (who may charge fees in certain circumstances, such as appeals).
You can switch anytime
You're not locked in. You can change your representative at any time by appointing a new one — no permission and no reason required. The new appointment generally replaces the old one.
Tip
A VSO helps for free, and self-service tools can show you the gaps before your appointment — so you walk in with a clear picture instead of starting from scratch.
VA forms mentioned in this guide
Put this to work
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A VA-accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) helps with your claim at no cost — filing, evidence review, and appeals. Find an accredited representative on VA.gov →
This guide is educational information about the VA claims system — it is not legal or medical advice, and it does not predict or promise any claim outcome. Regulations and procedures change; always verify current requirements at VA.gov. VA Claim Commander is a self-service documentation tool, not a VSO, law firm, or VA-accredited representative.