Veterans Benefits
Claims and appeals before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, handled by an attorney the VA has accredited to represent veterans.
- Who we represent
- Veterans with a VA claim or appeal
- Accreditation
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Where
- Before the VA, nationwide procedure
- Your attorney
- Shaun Zaciewski
What we handle
Claims and appeals, from the first filing to the Board.
Disability compensation is decided by the VA on the record it has. Most of our work is making sure that record is complete, and challenging a decision when it is not right.
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Disability compensation claims
Preparing and filing a claim with the evidence the VA needs to decide it.
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Decision reviews
Supplemental Claims and Higher-Level Reviews after an unfavorable decision.
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Board appeals
Appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, including the evidence and hearing options.
Who we represent
Veterans, one claim at a time.
We represent
- Veterans filing a claim for disability compensation
- Veterans asking the VA to review or appeal a decision
This is a separate practice from our work for community associations, handled for individual veterans.
VA accreditation
Required to act.
Verifiable by anyone.
Only representatives accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs may represent a veteran on a VA claim. Shaun Zaciewski is accredited by the VA, and you can confirm it yourself in the VA’s public accreditation search.
Accredited representative
Shaun Zaciewski
Attorney · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Accredited by
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel
- Accreditation no.
- 000000
The VA stages
How a VA claim moves.
After an initial decision you choose one of three review lanes. If the lane does not resolve it, you can move to another, or on to the court.
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Stage 01
Initial claim
The VA gathers the evidence and decides the claim.
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Stage 03
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
After a Board decision, an appeal to the federal court.
Your attorney
Shaun Zaciewski
Founding Partner · VA-accredited attorney
Two decades representing condominium associations, homeowners associations and boards of directors across Florida, with an active civil litigation practice in state and federal court.
Common questions
What veterans ask us.
Answers here are general information, not legal advice for your claim.
At what point can an attorney help with my VA claim?
An accredited attorney can help at several stages, most often after the VA has made a decision you disagree with. The rules on representation and fees depend on where your claim stands. We explain what applies to yours before any work begins.
What is the difference between a Supplemental Claim and a Higher-Level Review?
A Supplemental Claim lets you add new and relevant evidence for the VA to consider. A Higher-Level Review asks a more senior reviewer to look at the same record again, without new evidence. Which one fits depends on what is missing from your file.
How long do I have to ask for a review of a decision?
In most cases you have one year from the date of the VA’s decision to ask for a review or file an appeal. Check the date on your decision letter, and contact us early so the deadline does not limit your options.
How are fees handled in a VA matter?
Fees in VA matters are regulated and depend on the stage of the claim. We explain in writing how fees would work in your case before any work begins.
Your association deserves counsel that answers.
Call the office, or send a note about what your board is dealing with. You will hear back from the attorney, not an intake form.