March 26, 2026, 2:00-3:30 PM ET: Ethics for Veterans Advocates

Attorneys and claims agents face a variety of ethical dilemmas when representing veterans. What should I do if a veteran wants me to file a claim that I think has no merit? Must I submit evidence to the VA that might hurt a veteran’s claim? Can I act on behalf of a veteran with severely diminished mental capacity? May I accept a gift from my client for helping her file a claim? What should I do if I suspect a veteran is being dishonest with the VA? In some situations, VA regulations and attorney rules of professional conduct make the answer clear. But other situations fall into a gray area, with different rules providing answers that seem incompatible with each other.

In this 90-minute webinar, we will review the standards of conduct for representatives set forth in VA regulations—both required duties and prohibited actions. We will then explore hypothetical scenarios that present common ethical dilemmas faced by attorneys and agents when representing claimants before the VA. We will provide advice on how to best navigate those scenarios, based on VA regulations, the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct, and the Virginia State Bar Rules of Professional Conduct.