For many U.S. military veterans, the journey to secure deserved disability benefits after service is fraught with obstacles. Navigating the bureaucracy of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be daunting, especially for those already grappling with the physical and mental aftermath of their service. In recent months, a troubling pattern has emerged, spotlighted by a December 2, 2025 investigation by NPR and corroborated by other outlets: for-profit companies such as Trajector Medical are capitalizing on veterans’ need for help, often leaving them with hefty bills and more questions than answers.
Take the story of Dustin, a former Army Ranger and Afghanistan war veteran. After facing serious health challenges post-service, Dustin reached out to Trajector Medical, hoping to simplify his disability claim process. Instead, he found himself ensnared in delays and confusion. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Dustin eventually canceled his agreement with Trajector and turned to an accredited VA representative. This move proved effective—he was rated 70 percent disabled by the VA. But the relief was short-lived. Shortly after receiving his disability rating, Dustin was blindsided by a $4,500 bill from Trajector Medical. "I got this bill out of nowhere, when I got my VA rating, which just blew me away," Dustin told NPR’s investigators.
Dustin’s experience is far from unique. According to NPR’s reporting, Trajector Medical and similar companies operate in a legal gray area, using tactics that have alarmed both veterans and advocacy groups. One of the most concerning practices is the use of a computerized robo-dialing system known as “CallBot.” This system floods the VA’s hotline, using veterans’ birthdates and social security numbers to extract real-time information about disability payments. When CallBot detects a change—such as a new disability rating—Trajector immediately issues a bill to the veteran, regardless of whether the company played a meaningful role in the successful claim.
Federal law is clear: companies without VA accreditation cannot legally represent veterans or charge fees for helping with initial disability claims. Yet, as NPR and We Are The Mighty report, firms like Trajector Medical skirt these restrictions by operating under different guises. Instead of directly filing claims, they provide what they call "medical evidence packets" and leave the paperwork to veterans themselves. "We don’t fill out your forms ourselves. We don’t file your claims. We don’t do any of that," company founder Jim Hill explained in a July interview posted on Trajector’s own website. "You do it yourself, and we give you a medical evidence packet to attach when you file for claims."
Despite these claims of hands-off assistance, many veterans—like Dustin—say they were left in the dark about what services, if any, were actually provided. Some former clients allege that Trajector Medical overstated their medical conditions in claims, sometimes presenting an inflated narrative they hadn’t authorized. This has led to widespread concerns about the credibility and ethics of such companies.
Advocacy organizations have not minced words. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) calls these companies "claim sharks." Disabled American Veterans (DAV) describes their tactics as "predatory." Critics argue that the lack of transparency and accountability allows these firms to prey on vulnerable veterans, many of whom are unaware that free, expert help is available through accredited Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) such as The American Legion and VFW. In fact, veterans don’t even need to be members of these organizations to access their services.
Part of the problem, as revealed by both NPR and We Are The Mighty, is that the regulatory framework governing claims consulting companies is woefully inadequate. Despite repeated warnings and numerous complaints filed with authorities, enforcement remains lax. This has allowed companies like Trajector Medical to operate with near impunity, charging fees that can amount to five times a veteran’s monthly disability check—a one-time payment, but a significant sum for many.
Some veterans, particularly those who have struggled to get help from accredited VSOs, report satisfactory experiences with these for-profit firms. However, the overwhelming sentiment is one of frustration and betrayal. Many felt misled, having believed that hiring a company like Trajector would ease their path to benefits, only to face unexpected bills and questionable service. As one veteran told NPR, "I was bound by a contract, despite the company not fulfilling its part of the bargain."
The controversy has not gone unnoticed in Washington. Lawmakers are now debating legislative reforms aimed at tightening oversight and protecting veterans from exploitation. Bills such as the GUARD VA Benefits Act and the CHOICE for Veterans Act are currently under consideration in Congress. These proposed laws would impose stricter regulations on how claims companies operate, making it harder for unaccredited firms to charge for services that are supposed to be free.
Yet, legislative solutions remain in flux. In the meantime, advocacy groups urge veterans to be vigilant. NPR’s investigation recommends that veterans steer clear of companies promising guaranteed outcomes or requiring payment up front. Instead, they should seek out free help from accredited VA representatives—resources that, unfortunately, many veterans simply don’t know exist.
The root of the problem, as many see it, is twofold: a complex, intimidating VA claims process and a military culture that often discourages seeking help in the first place. This creates fertile ground for claim sharks, who promise shortcuts and certainty but often deliver little more than confusion and cost. As the debate continues, the stories of veterans like Dustin serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform, transparency, and a renewed commitment to those who have served.
For now, veterans are left to navigate a system that seems stacked against them—where the search for help can too easily turn into another battle. The hope is that, with increased scrutiny and legislative action, the future will bring the clarity and protection veterans so clearly deserve.
