10
Loading video...
By Suzanne Blake
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Hundreds of veterans are set to receive restitution payments from a $1.2 million fund in Arizona following a settlement involving a company accused of misleading veterans seeking help with their Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Wednesday that veterans who submitted eligible claims involving VetLink Solutions will begin receiving restitution checks this week.
"The Arizona Attorney General's Office is proud to have secured this settlement on behalf of veterans in our state," Mayes said in a statement. "Veterans deserve trusted assistance—not deceptive sales tactics. My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who tries to take advantage of Arizona veterans.”
Read More on News
The money stems from a consent judgment resolving allegations that VetLink Solutions violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act by falsely marketing its services and improperly charging disabled veterans fees for help with their VA disability claims.
The company paid $1.2 million into a restitution fund for eligible consumers.
To qualify for the restitution, veterans must have paid consulting fees to the company for assistance with a disability claim between January 2019 and March 13, 2024, and submitted a claim by the September 10, 2026 deadline.
Why It Matters
The payments are financial restitution to veterans who, according to state allegations, paid a company for assistance connected to disability benefits they had earned through their military service.
VetLink Solutions charged some veterans thousands of dollars, with fees in some cases reaching $12,000, according to the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
...
What To Know
VetLink Solutions allegedly implied that it could provide services that only representatives accredited by the VA were authorized to perform. It also lacked recognition as a Veterans Service Organization and the accreditation required to provide those services, according to the state.
The restitution checks therefore are not additional VA disability benefits. They are payments from a state settlement involving fees veterans paid for assistance with their disability claims.
“This is becoming a common occurrence as many veterans were charged outsized fees for services they would otherwise receive at no cost,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
“These payouts will not only help compensate the victims but also set a precedent for others that attorneys general will be seeking restitution for victims around the country, so be prepared.”
Who Is Eligible for a Payment?
According to Mayes' office, eligible consumers are veterans who:
- Paid consulting fees to VetLink Solutions for help with a disability claim between January 2019 and March 13, 2024; and
- Submitted a claim for restitution by the September 10, 2026 deadline.
The Attorney General's latest announcement does not specify the individual amount each eligible veteran will receive, but the company has paid $1.2 million into the restitution fund.
The Attorney General's Office said it expects to distribute the restitution this week.
Why VetLink Solutions Was Sued
The dispute centered on services the company marketed to veterans attempting to increase their VA disability benefits.
According to the Attorney General's allegations, VetLink Solutions falsely marketed its services and illegally charged disabled veterans contingency fees for assistance filing disability claims despite not having the required accreditation. The conduct covered by the lawsuit occurred between January 2019 and March 13, 2024.
When the settlement was initially announced in May, the Attorney General's Office said the company had advertised its services nationwide and promised what the state characterized as unrealistic increases in benefits. Some customers were charged fees as high as $12,000.
“For eligible veterans, these payments present an opportunity to recover money, particularly when many are already struggling with inflationary pressures linked to service-connected disabilities,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek.
The state also said VetLink Solutions continued its practices despite receiving two cease-and-desist letters from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VetLink Solutions ceased operations in 2024, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The broader settlement totaled $1.95 million, including $1.2 million for restitution, $700,000 in civil penalties and $50,000 for attorneys' fees and costs.
“This settlement highlights the growing need for stronger consumer protections, greater awareness of free VA-accredited assistance, and accountability for businesses that profit from veterans navigating complicated benefit systems,” Beene said.
What Happens Next
Eligible veterans who submitted claims should watch the mail for their restitution checks.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office said anyone who believes they are eligible and already submitted a claim, but does not receive a check in the next 14 days, should contact the settlement administrator at 866-880-0070 or info@azagvetlinksettlement.com.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines