The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not charge you a fee to file for disability benefits. And if the VA does not grant you the disability rating or benefit that you feel you deserve you can appeal the VA regional office's decision on your own accord. However, it is to your benefit to obtain a private attorney for the complicated appeals process. An experienced attorney can better assure your appeal will recieve a favorable result by building a strong case to present to the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). A private attorney will incurr legal fees, but my firm works on a contigency fee basis. In this type of arrangement you do not pay any upfront fees or costs. My firm is not paid by you unless your case is won, at which time we receive a portion of the amount the VA awards you for previously owed benfits. In the unlikely case that you receive nothing, you pay nothing.