Alpha | 19 Forest Parkway, Shelton, CT 06484 | 877.611.7724 | Mon – Fri 8:30am – 5:00pm
What is the Cost for an Alpha Advocate to Represent You?
An Alpha advocate will help you file an application at the initial level at no cost to you. There is no service cost to you unless an Alpha advocate helps you win your case or increase your benefits in appeals.
What You Get from an Alpha Advocate
It is our privilege to help you file for disability compensation from the Veterans Administration (VA).
- We help you get started on your claim.
- We give you straight answers about what to expect from the VA.
- We tell you what you must do for the VA to develop your case.
- We are Vets helping Vets. We give you the attention we know you deserve.
We Know How to Get You More Benefits
If you get a fully favorable decision the first time, that’s great. There is nothing more you need to do and there is nothing you owe your Alpha advocate for helping you with your claim.
But if you are denied, or your benefits are not enough, we know how to appeal to win or to get you more compensation. This is when the quality of our service pays off.
- We analyze your case.
- We strategize a unique plan to win.
- We win you the benefits you have earned.
The Alpha Advocacy Fee
Alpha advocates do not accept a fee for helping you to apply at the initial level of application. We are only paid if we help you win in appeals. The Advocate’s fee is subject to review by the VA’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The VA/OGC generally considers a fee of 20% of the retroactive award as a reasonable payment and we agree. Subject to the review of the OGC, and only if we win an appeal, your Alpha Advocate will be paid a one time fee of 20% of your retroactive award.
How the VA Calculates the Fee – an Example
- We help you apply for disability compensation in June 2008.
- The VA approves your claim but rates your disability at 40 percent. You get $541 a month.
- We strategize that you should get 50 percent disability, or $770 a month.
- We appeal for more in July, 2008.
- In June 2010, we win you the 50 percent increase of compensation effective June 2008.
- The VA now owes you 24 months of benefits at the new 50 percent rate.
- You have received 24 months of benefits at the 40 percent rate.
- The VA subtracts $541 from the new rate of $770, which is $229 and multiples 24 months (June 2008 – June 2010)
- $229 x 24 = $5,496. This is the retroactive amount due you for your disability now rated at 50 percent.
- The VA withholds 20 percent of your retro benefit, or $1,099 and pays us directly.
- This is a one-time-only fee we receive for each appeal that secures you additional compensation.
Alpha Advocates Accredited by the VA
Alpha advocates are independently accredited through the VA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC). You can validate their accreditation at the VA OGC Web site.
When your appeal is won, the VA will issue a Fee Agreement Decision to you and to your Alpha advocate with the amount of the advocacy fee. You have 60 days to contest this amount if you disagree, or you can waive the 60-day period to allow the VA to release the fee sooner.
The agreements for our advocates are closely monitored by the VA OGC to ensure full compliance with VA regulations and guidelines.
Why Work with an Alpha Advocate
The application process for disability compensation from the VA is complicated. It can take months, in many cases, years, to win the level of benefits you deserve.
The main reason a case can take so long is because of poor preparation and presentation. Hiring a qualified, independently accredited veterans’ disability advocate to work on your behalf is a good choice if you need help getting the compensation you deserve.
The Alpha team is ready to help you. Our fee is set at 20 percent of your retroactive payment if we win or increase your benefits through the appeal process.
Apply for Benefits with an Alpha Advocate – Vets Helping Vets
At Alpha, we hire and train disabled veterans to advocate for you. Let us put our expertise and experience to work for you so that you can prepare and present your best case – now.
Contact us to get started on your claim.
Note: All representation coordinated by Alpha is provided by our employees, the Advocates, who are accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). No private organization that trains and employs accredited agents has been legally recognized by the VA for the purposes of preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. This work must be done by the Advocates themselves and not organizations.
You should be absolutely ashamed for charging disabled veterans for what are free services. What a crock!!!
Dave, I get where you’re coming from but, consider this; I know of many fellow disabled veterans who are dissatisfied with free services. Too often, these services fail to measure up. I worked at the DAV as a disability advocate for years. I totally respect what they do but there are better alternatives and vets now have the right to choose who they want to represent them with their claim. I think there’s just way too many disabled veterans waiting too long for benefits. I talk to them every day. They’re frustrated, and rightly so. They come to us because of the quality of service they will get from the Alpha team. It may not be free, but they don’t mind. They made a choice. The value of our service is in the outcome. And we’re proud of that.
This isn’t about helping veterans, it is about lining your pockets with money owed to the disabled veteran. You can’t do any better job than the Service officers of Veteran organizations, or State veteran offices. If you really were concerned about helping the vet, you would offer your services for free….
Rick,
My answer to this opinion has not changed if you read my previous comment about our service. Veterans have a choice of representation. They can go to a free or volunteer veterans service organization or they can hire professional advocacy services from a private veterans organization such as Alpha. Most of our highly trained advocates are veterans too. We’re in this because we care, and we work hard at helping fellow vets get through the VA bureaucracy. Actually, our service is free unless we appeal a case for a higher rating for more compensation for the veteran, and we’re skilled at succeeding in the shortest amount of time possible. To the veterans we have already helped, the value of our services is in the quality of our advocacy and a choice they were happy they made.
Well, I do have to say you get what you pay for. I would not expect anyone to do things for free and think it is wrong to expect someone to do it. There are many places to get help from and if you do not like what you see here, just do not do it. I for one would like some expert help that can organize and win my claim. A win is worth the 20% I might have to pay to cover their expenses. My guess is that if you are really down and out, this service is a good start. Did you not read the first step of the process…IT IS FREE They file the first claim and if you do win it is free dude.
Thanks for helping vets
I am a paid county veterans service officer. We, of course, do not charge clients and we do not work for free. We are county government employees. And we are all veterans. We do this job 5 days a week, 8 hours a day and are accredited as veterans service officers, undergo quarterly and annual training through our state’s Department of Veterans Affairs. I just had a client come in who got an unsolicited call from Alpha. He said he was told they were part of the VA and there to help him. Of course, he might have misunderstood, but I wondered how a group based in Conn. could serve veterans in all 50 states, and in this case file for a veteran they talked to only by phone and did not see any prior paperwork on. They filed a claim for PTSD not knowing if the veteran was even diagnosed with PTSD. They filed for Individual Unemployability, but did not tell the veteran anything about that program or what additional forms he had to fill out. Thankfully, he came it to see me, I changed his back his POA (Alpha mailed him a VA 21-22 for him to fill out and mail back to them). I also resent the implication that Alpha can settle claims faster. That’s simply not true. There are new full-developed claims forms available to any good veterans service officer. No one should pay for these services. Those who charge money are in it for money, period. And yes, there are good and bad service officers, just like any profession, but paying for this service is no guarantee of better service. As the case I just highlighted above, it’s often the opposite. And I wonder how Alpha got this veteran’s information and phone number. I don’t think the VA sells it, so how are they getting it? Think people, before you waste your money.
Thank you for letting us know about the complaints of the veteran that came to your county office. While I would appreciate the opportunity to respond directly to the veteran and apologize personally for any misunderstanding, I am obliged to respond only to you.
We are not part of the VA. We inform each veteran that we are individually accredited through the VA Office of General Counsel. While we are headquartered in Connecticut, each of our advocates will fly to any state when necessary to appear for personal hearings, including the Board of Veterans Appeals. To some degree we trust the information from the veteran when initiating a claim and verify it as we develop the case. Since the initial claim is a free service, the VA regional office undertakes the necessary development of a claim and renders the decision.
Contrary to your implication, there is no legal requirement that the veteran obtain a diagnosis of PTSD prior to submitting a claim. The fact that you place this burden on the veteran is simply the wrong thing to do. I encourage you to properly assist the veteran by making the application in accordance with our recommendation, unless of course, the veteran is now claiming that he has no symptoms consistent with PTSD or is gainfully employed. By taking this approach, in the worst case scenario, during the course of development and assuming the stressor, the VA regional office has a duty to assist by ordering a PTSD examination. Likewise, if he isn’t working due to his PTSD symptoms, as an advocate you are obligated to file for individual unemployability as soon as possible. This would allow for a more efficient development process and a more timely decision.
Please allow me this opportunity to point out that most of our advocates are disabled veterans. Our fellow disabled veterans have the right to choose representation. If the veteran now has confidence in you, we respect that. However, if he makes a choice to return to us, I ask that you respectfully honor his choice and have faith that we will apply our skill, knowledge, and experience to provide exceptional representation for him and for his family.
I understand that people expect to get paid for a disability for serving… as i do… over 60%… i did not use a service but if i had know about the various services out there i would not hesitate. As the veteran expects to receive compensation, it is proper to expect someone to be paid for the service… I have several options available and if i make a decision in the future i will assess the likelyhood of success with and with out various types of expertise… Paying for it is expected if that is the service i chose.
I am an enrolled agent (Tax Expert) and get many people that come into my office and expect me to prepare their tax return for virtually nothing or free. Yet, when i ask them if they would mind returning in the spring and cut my grass or work on my house depending on their expertise, they have a fit when i expect them to do it for free… they tell me … well you understand… all resources are good and make an informed decision and move forward…
Not all of the VA services and representatives do the best job that they can. My husband has had a bad knee due to twisting it while in Baghdad. He suffered for several years in pain and the doctors at the VA clinic would not do surgery on his knee b/c they said he was to young. Instead they prescribed him hydrocodone pills for the last 3 years to which he has become addicted to. On top of that the Veterans Administration has denied his claim b/c there is no documentation of his injury. The reason for this is that the weekend in which he hurt his knee he was in Baghdad stuck with his company b/c they were under attack. Along with that on their way back to Kuwait their convoy was ambushed and their Lieutenant was killed in the line of duty. With all of this going on there was no documentation filed of his injury and b/c of this they denied his claim. Also, he has had hearing loss due to his military service in Iraq but they say that there is no reason to believe that his hearing loss was caused by service, even though he was changing a tire while being shot at and mortar shells going off around him. So I believe that the government does not do it’s best to help it’s veterans and using a government agency, though not all of them, could be detrimental to the claim process.
Cindy,
We agree with you. Actually, injuries that occur under combat situations don’t have to be on the record. The combat veteran’s statement is generally sufficient. We could leverage our skill and experience to get your husband the benefits he earned through his service and we would be honored to help.
After reading about your services and having experience with the FREE veteran advocate SERVICES out there, I’ll take my chances with Alpha.
Their service IS 100% free unless they win. And when they win you get paid tax free for life, hello. We are veterans that need help not freeloaders. I TOO am a disabled vet with 18 year in the service (two services to be exact), and yelling at these folks for asking for a fee for providing SUCCESSFUL outcome to your appeal is UNWARRANTED.
Like my Army brother above stated, you get what you pay for. I for one will NOT leave my appeal/NOD) to a state worker with no incentive to get me what I deserve.
Alpha, I look forward to working with you folks, and getting a DUE increase in my percentage.
Bill
I left a comment about my condition on your site but at a different spot and am waiting for a response back. However, while browsing I saw this and had to respond.
I went the route of a County Veterans Officer (talked with two different ones as a matter of fact) and all I got was 10% from two service related injuries. They did absolutely nothing in helping me to track dowm my medical records, jump logs, etc. that would have been pertinent to my case. I took it upon myself to find out what I needed to do to successfully increase my chances of getting a higher rate. It took me some doing and about three years but I’m now at 40%. I do not, repeat do not advocate using a County Veterans Officer. They are paid government employees who could care less one way or the other if you get anything because it won’t affect there government pay. Now it seems logical to me that someone who’s business such as Alpha, who’s success depends upon the success of those who go to them for help, would have the incentive to do the most for me they can to win. A win for me, means a win for them. Plus they don’t get anything for filing the first claim.
The bottom line is you don’t have to get them to help you so why are some of you on this post complaining. They are up front and not hiding anything. Nor are they ripping off the veteran. I for one will gladly give them the 20% they’ve asked for it they can increase my compensation amount. What they ask is little in comparison for what you will get the rest of your life, tax free.
Believe me, if they help me to win an increase I will be notifying several other of my veteran friends. You all should be doing the same. Veterans need this assistance greatly.
I am currently dealing with the VA regarding disability.I did receive a certain percentage, however, was denied on several other counts,which I felt were unfair.I came across Alpha and called them, just got off the phone with them for the first time, now we will see what happens. I also just came across information regarding contaminated drinking water at a Marine Corps Base, also known about for years by our beloved government. Isn’t life wonderful?
You guys are scum. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Any veteran can go to their county veterans’ service office and get all of this for free. This is a scam. An obscene scam. I deplore you people.
US Army 11B
We respect your opinion, but we stand firmly behind what we are doing for veterans. We are proud to employ veterans, and we are proud that through our training and available resources, they are able to help other veterans get the most they deserve in disability benefits. An Alpha trained disability advocate puts the veteran at the center and ensures they are doing everything possible to meet their needs. We believe this experience is unparalleled among other options available to veterans. There is only a service charge to the veteran if we appeal for more and their benefits are increased. So we believe that increased cash benefits and an improved service experience is worth paying for, and thousands have so far agreed. Maybe you should get to know some of the faces behind Alpha to get a better understanding of who are advocates are and why they came to Alpha to help veterans.
i was given an increase from 30%to 40% it was retroactive from 4/2008 i was given a settlement of $5680 dollars.my new rate is $601. if the increase made it 40% my settlement should have been $21.636 dollars. for 36mos tmes $601. i thought if i was given 40% retroactive from 2008 my settlement should be based on that total %not 10%. am i right or is that how they pay based on the single increase. not the whole.
Ron,
The VA is correct. You were rated at 30 percent and were being paid at that amount while your claim for the increase was being processed. When the increase was granted you received a retroactive payment of 40 percent minus 30 percent already received back to April 2008 (10 percent). The question for you to consider is if the 40 percent rating is right. You may want to talk to an Alpha advocate to help determine if it could be more.
I recently hired a lawyer to file a ssd claim for disiability do to continued complications from a double by-pass operation, blood clots,diebetes,high blood pressure,high cholestral, chronic thrombosis in left leg veins, from vein harvested during by-pass surgery.
now i’m about to file a claim for service connected disiability due to the appendectomy that i had at a manilla phillipeans civillian hospital,while attached to the uss blue ridge,the ship pulled out, as i stayed behind,the original problem was my heart, diffculting breathing,chest pain, and stomach pain,i had passed out aboard ship and stayed in ships hospital for more than a week, being cared for before being flown by helocopter while at the dock, and admitted for emergency surgery, problem is my navy medical records do not reflect the entire sequence of events.
bjn,
This may take some strategy and investigation that we may be able to help you with. If interested, please call in to talk to an Alpha advocate at 877.611.7724. We’d like to help if we can.
I have 40% left shoulder and 20% in left hand, I requested PTSD in January 25, 2010 and they still sent letters notifying me that the case is still struggling … can you help??
Hi Luis. We can certainly talk with you about your case. Please give us a call at 877.611.7724.
Thanks,
Sean
I have been under an appeal for 16 months now in Georgia. What can Alpha disability offer me as far as services if i have been waiting on this appeal for that long of a time for total and permanent and individual unemployability since I am already in the appeals process?
Nick,
Our goal is to maximize a veteran’s potential for the most in benefits in the shortest amount of time. We would study your records and all evidence to be sure that there are no weaknesses in your case. We would develop a strategy to make your case as strong as it can be, given your unique disabilities and military service. We would want to bolster your position wherever possible to avoid a lengthy appeals process before the Board of Veterans Appeals. Though no one can get the VA to move faster in making a decision, we look for ways to get a case approved as soon as possible so that the veterans we serve will get the most in benefits they are entitled. That’s what we would strive to do for you.
People have to look at this is a firm (business) that is dedicated solely to the veterans. Yes they charge for the service and thank god it is a lot less than any lawyers office. They have to support the job they do to keep the lights on and supplies. I feel that they are doing a great service and glad they are there.
YOU Fought for the right of choice. DO NOT condemn those who choose to pay for a good service or those who provide it at low cost.
It has been over 35 years and I have certian service connected illness that I want to file a claim for such as, Depression. Would I still be eligible to submit a claim for benefits since it has been along time ?
Please assist.
Harvey,
It is never too late to submit a claim for disability compensation. If you would like our help please call us at 877-611-7724 so that we can better assess your situation. Thanks,
It’s deplorable to me that the paid county veterans officer fails to recognize the hypocrisy in his statement that veterans deserve representation services for free, yet he takes taxpayer money to perform the service. If he truly believes it should be free he should do it for free.
I’ve read through some of the comments. I’m a Veteran, 31 and at 70%. I had to appeal a claim on my back in 2005 and won it in 2007. VA reason for denying the claim in the 1st place was we didn’t see any reports in military record and on your MEB evaluation it met retention standards. So it won the appeal and given a back date of 2004 which was actual file year. There’s been multiple times I file my claim and VA says we don’t see anything happening in service but it met retention standards, now it may have met retention standards then but if I’m taking 4 to 6 meds, physical therapy and it’s hindering some things I use to do. Shouldn’t it go back to the original date filed and when VA contradicted themselves saying it wasn’t in military records but u complained about it once. I was even denied because a sick call slip and a physical therapy slip were overlooked. Sent those 2 pieces of paper in and it was granted less than a month. So I would gladly pay 20% of services knowing that if I win the people win getting the right rating the first time.
OUTFNNNSTANDING!! Allen, the best of luck to you sir and congratulations on this Audacious endeavor !
I recieved my rating today and I am displeased with my 70% total disability rating. For PTSD (Diagnosed by THREE diffierent examiners) I recieved 50%. The decision letter explains that I was not granted a 70% rating for PTSD because “only in my last examination did I exhibit any OCD or suicidal idealations and there was no evidence of intent or continued social or occupational problems related to these symptoms.” I don’t understand how if I had the problems while working they wouldn’t have an affect on my work productivity… Also I recieved a 10% rating in each knee. I had a motorcycle accident in which I broke both legs (left femur, right tib/fib). They inserted rods in both legs and I have constant debilitating pain in all joints affected by the rods. The toes on my right foot were broken and they have NO range of motion now… I can’t bend them at all…. I recieved 10% for this as well… I have to walk with a limp on this foot because it pains me to flex those toes backwards as they do in a normal stride. I recieved 10% for tinnitus, and 10% for a hip condition resulting from the accident as well. I believe my rating should be higher than it is…. In addition they filed my claim as a SINGLE veteran when I’m MARRIED with SEVEN CHILDREN!! I am thouroghly disgusted in the decision following my 13 month wait… H E L P!
Marsden,
We want to help you. Please give us a call at your earliest convienience. One of our Alpha advocates would like to help you get the MOST you are entitled. Call us toll free at 1-877-611-7724.
Afternoon Alpha,
I am a veteran of a tour and a half in baghdad as an infantrymen. I did a full tour successfully the first time and the firefights always ended well (w the bad guy gone) but the second tour was what had me sent back early due to a firefight I had initiated and unfortunately five civilians were killed. Obviously I was distraught beyond belief. I was sent back and evaluated thoroughly by scores of doctors and was deemed to have severe ptsd. Any infantrymen can tell you among infantry soldiers this was deemed a sign of weakness and failure. Due to the stigma I was discharged with a condition not disability. Despite this obvious last zing my commanders put in on me after months of alcohol and drug abuse capped off with physical altercations with my siblings my mother pressured me to seek disability. I reluctantly agreed and saw a va doctor for a c&p exam. About a year later I was awarded 30 % and back pay. This was obviously a low ball so I requested an increase. During this time I had a job and was fired due to an unprovoked blow up with my boss when I came to work drunk. I was scheduled for another c%p exam and about 4 months later was given 70%. I tried to go to skool but dropped out last year due to not being able to be on a large campus with so many ppl and not getting anxiety ( I was only 4 credits away from graduating). I was told to file for IU so I did this past september. After I filed I moved to the south in a country area with little to no people. I’m currently seeing my doctors religiously bc I came to the realization I can’t handle this on my own and my family has now abandoned me bc they don’t know how to deal with me. I’m 4 months into filing an appeal and increased to IU. I talked to a rep at the 1800 number last week and she informed me they sent my former employer a form to fill out. I told her they most likely won’t fill it out since I left on bad terms so she said give it 30 days then call bak and request your claim be moved foward without the companies form. I will do this come feb 8th. Recently I got a job but only bc I told a fib and didn’t tell them the real reason why my dd214 says left w a condition in fear they wouldn’t hire a “crazy” guy. I know I won’t last long at this job but I need the money to live, the 70% evaporates every month due to car payment,insurance,vet bills,gas etc. Will I be denied bc I jus got this job (which makes 2 grand above the poverty level)? I have no doubt w my continued drinking it’ll be deja vu all over again at work shortly. Also I saw it said on this site you guys can get a case won more quickly, how so? Thank you in advance. P.s. – I’ve won my initial claim and subsequent apply for increase on the strength of my ptsd alone and didn’t have a rep. Is it true if you have a rep the va will take that personal and just junk or deny your appeal ?
It’s unfortunate, but you’re in a catch 22. First of all, have you explored SSDI benefits? You can receive both benefits at the same time. As far as whether you will be denied, can’t tell based on what you provided the VA decision maker could in theory go either way. They tend to deny entitlement if you’ve shown the ability to obtain employment. However, you’re entitled to IU, if your unable to obtain and maintain substantial employment. Maintain is generally defined as at least 1 year. If your denied, please call us at 877-611-7724 and let us try to help you.
Thank you for responding,
I have not looked into ssdi, I’m very unfamiliar with that whole system but ill try.
And if I get denied I will let you guys know pronto.