VA Form 21-22
Appointment of Veterans Service Organization as Claimant's Representative
You want a free, accredited representative to help with your VA claim. Most veterans should file this before any claim because VSOs review your filing for completeness, accompany you to C&P appointments, and handle communications with VA.
- Who fills it
- veteran
- Journey phase
- Before You File
- Estimated time
- 15-30 minutes including selecting a VSO.
- When to file
- BEFORE filing 21-526EZ if possible. The VSO can review your draft and catch errors that would delay or deny your claim.
Official VA form page: https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-21-22/
Gather before you start
- ▸Your full legal name, SSN, VA File Number, address, phone
- ▸Name of the VSO you want to appoint (DAV, VFW, American Legion, VVA, AMVETS, MOPH, PVA, etc.)
- ▸County and state where you live (some VSOs assign reps by county)
- ▸Decision on whether to authorize disclosure of (a) drug/alcohol abuse, (b) HIV, (c) sickle cell, (d) MST records to the VSO - separate consent boxes
Attach with the form
- ▸None required. The VSO will counter-sign before filing.
Section I - Veteran/Claimant Identification
Blocks 1-8Name, SSN, VA File Number, DOB, address, phone, emailPII
Match exactly to your VA records. The 21-22 attaches the VSO POA to your VA file.
(use legal name from DD-214)
Common mistakes
- ×Mismatched name/SSN with VA records - VSO POA fails to attach.
Section II - Service Organization
Block 9Name of the VSO you are appointing
Pick ONE accredited VSO. Major nationals: DAV, VFW, American Legion, VVA (Vietnam Vets), AMVETS, MOPH (Purple Heart), PVA (Paralyzed), MOAA, FRA, NVAA. State VSOs (e.g., Texas Veterans Commission) also accept POAs. You can switch VSOs at any time by filing a new 21-22 - but only ONE VSO at a time.
e.g., Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Common mistakes
- ×Picking a VSO without checking accreditation - only VA-accredited VSOs can represent you. Check at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation.
- ×Filing two 21-22s simultaneously - the second one revokes the first; you only have one VSO at a time.
- ×Picking a VSO across the country when a local one is more accessible - in-person help during C&P prep is easier with a local rep.
Authority
- 38 CFR 14.629 - Accreditation requirements.
Section III - Sensitive Records Authorization
Blocks 10a-10dAuthorize disclosure of sensitive records to VSO
Four separate yes/no boxes for: (a) Drug abuse records, (b) Alcohol abuse records, (c) HIV records, (d) Sickle cell anemia records. By default these are NOT released to the VSO. Check each box you want released. For most claims involving these topics, checking YES helps the VSO advocate effectively. NOTE: MST records (38 USC 1720D) have separate special protections.
Check yes/no for each
Common mistakes
- ×Defaulting all to NO when those records are central to your claim - VSO can't fully advocate without them.
- ×Defaulting all to YES without considering privacy - if you don't want VSO to see, say so.
Authority
- 38 USC 1720D - MST counseling and care without regard to service connection.
Section IV - Fee Authorization
Block 11Authorization for VSO to charge a fee
VSOs do NOT charge fees for representation - this box is essentially a formality (you're saying "no, this VSO does not charge me"). If a VSO ever asks for a fee, that's a red flag - report to VA Office of General Counsel.
No - VSO does not charge
Common mistakes
- ×Confusing VSO with attorney/agent representation - attorneys/agents can charge under 21-22a; VSOs cannot under 21-22.
- ×Paying a VSO who asks for a fee - that VSO is not legitimate. File a complaint with VA OGC.
Authority
- 38 CFR 14.636 - Attorney/agent fee rules and 33% cap on past-due benefits.
Section V - Signature
Blocks 12-13Veteran signature, date, witness (optional)PII
Sign and date. The VSO will counter-sign in their own block. POA is effective when both parties have signed.
(signature/date when filing)
Common mistakes
- ×Forgetting to sign - VSO returns for completion.
- ×Submitting before VSO has counter-signed - invalid POA until both sign.
- ×Believing POA is irrevocable - you can revoke any time by filing a new 21-22 / 21-22a or by writing a revocation letter.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 CFR 14.626 - Who may represent claimants before VA.
- 38 CFR 14.629 - Accreditation requirements.
- 38 CFR 14.631 - Form, content, and revocation of POA appointments.
- 38 USC 5101 - Standardized form requirement.