Title 38, United States Code —

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Title 38 Veterans Benefits in PDF. The PDF is 989 Pages long.

http://veterans.house.gov/documents/title38.pdf

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Looks like a stacked deck. This needs to be change through Legislation.

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øTITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS¿

øPART IV—GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS¿

CHAPTER 59—AGENTS AND ATTORNEYS

Sec.

5901. Prohibition against acting as claims agent or attorney.

5902. Recognition of representatives of organizations.

5903. Recognition with respect to particular claims.

5904. Recognition of agents and attorneys generally.

5905. Penalty for certain acts.

§ 5901. Prohibition against acting as claims agent or attorney

Except as provided by section 500 of title 5, no individual may

act as an agent or attorney in the preparation, presentation, or

prosecution of any claim under laws administered by the Secretary

unless such individual has been recognized for such purposes by

the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1238, Sec. 3401; Pub. L. 91–24, Sec. 12(a),

June 11, 1969, 83 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, Sec. 701(79), Oct. 28, 1986,

100 Stat. 3298; renumbered Sec. 5901, Pub. L. 102–40, title IV, Sec. 402(B)(1), May

7, 1991, 105 Stat. 238; Pub. L. 102–83, Sec. 4(a)(1), (:D(1), (2)(E), Aug. 6, 1991, 105

Stat. 403–405.)

§ 5902. Recognition of representatives of organizations

(a)(1) The Secretary may recognize representatives of the

American National Red Cross, the American Legion, the Disabled

American Veterans, the United Spanish War Veterans, the Veterans

of Foreign Wars, and such other organizations as the Secretary

may approve, in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution

of claims under laws administered by the Secretary.

(2) The Secretary may, in the discretion of the Secretary, furnish,

if available, space and office facilities for the use of paid fulltime

representatives of national organizations so recognized.

(:)(1) No individual shall be recognized under this section—

(A) unless the individual has certified to the Secretary that

no fee or compensation of any nature will be charged any individual

for services rendered in connection with any claim; and

(B) unless, with respect to each claim, such individual has

filed with the Secretary a power of attorney, executed in such

manner and form as the Secretary may prescribe.

(2) An individual recognized under this section shall be subject

to the provisions of section 5904(B) of this title on the same basis

as an individual recognized under section 5904(a) of this title.

©(1) Unless a claimant specifically indicates in a power of attorney

filed with the Department a desire to appoint only a recognized

representative of an organization listed in or approved under

[Berta]

Lots of leagal beagle stuff in 38 USC-

I always use 38 CFR- and also M21-1MR-

Mike- the way I understand it-anyone can appoint anyone else- in a one shot deal to represent them for a VA claim-

as a limited representation and they dont have to become accredited through the VA-

Mike Harris did something like that- to help the dependents of a deceased vet friend of his-

I dont think VA would question you as 'agent' for the vet we discussed in email.

And also- it says above that agents and advocates cannot get compensated for their help but Mike Harris also sent me something from 38 USC that shows that-with the new attorney for vets regs- maybe they (any agent) now can be paid- I sure dont know-

not that you are looking for that- but I feel the VA will accept you on behalf of the vet we discussed- dont see why not-