CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025

This bill sets clear rules for paid help with VA benefits claims. Veterans can use VA‑approved agents or attorneys for initial and follow‑up (supplemental) claims, but fees are limited and closely watched. VA must tell unrepresented claimants that free help from recognized organizations is available, keep an easy‑to‑find online list of approved helpers, and post fee warnings on its claim websites . It also requires a public knowledge test for would‑be helpers and stronger continuing education rules, with regular reviews. Any state law that conflicts with these rights is overridden.

Fee rules are simple: no up‑front payment before VA issues a decision; total fees must be contingent on a favorable outcome and capped at the lesser of $12,500 (adjusted each year) or five times the monthly increase in the veteran’s benefits. If fees are higher than any back pay, the helper must offer installments tied to the veteran’s monthly increase . No fees are allowed in certain cases, like when a condition is presumed service‑connected or the claim is filed while on active duty, when a representative’s delay caused a late filing, or when someone at the same firm already billed for the earlier part of the case. Helpers must file their fee agreements with VA and can be audited. Misusing personal data, steering clients to medical providers you’re tied to, or using overseas call centers can lead to denial or suspension . Charging unauthorized fees can bring fines or up to one year in jail, and breaking rules while under temporary approval can mean a $50,000 fine and multi‑year bans; fines go into a VA fund. VA can give temporary approval while it checks qualifications and may charge up to $500 to applicants who plan to charge fees, to run the program . Within one year, the Comptroller General will review how VA recognizes agents and attorneys; VA must also publish the knowledge test within 180 days and raise training requirements within a year. The bill extends a pension payment limit through April 30, 2032 .

Key points

• Who is affected: Veterans filing VA claims; VA‑approved agents/attorneys; VA itself .
• What changes: Clear fee caps and payment rules; free‑help notices and an online list; stronger training, audits, and data‑privacy rules; tougher penalties for unauthorized fees .
• When: VA knowledge test within 180 days; training rules within 1 year and reviewed every 2 years; fee cap adjusts each year; pension limit extended to April 30, 2032 .