Case Consulting for VA-Accredited Representatives
Professional-to-professional case consulting
Case strategy from thousands of VA claims and appeals.
This service is available only to VA-accredited representatives. CAV works with VA-accredited attorneys, VA-accredited claims agents, and other individuals who hold current VA accreditation. Dr. Rudy S. Melson has worked on thousands of VA disability claims and appeals, and he works directly with the accredited representative on a specific case. He will tell you what the decision turned on, which review lane fits, and what the case still needs. You retain the client relationship and the representation. CAV reviews only redacted materials for this consulting service.
CAV agrees the scope, the timing, and the work product with you before substantive review begins.
Where CAV fits
How CAV supports your practice
Most VA disability work turns on strategy: how the claim is framed, which evidence matters, which review lane fits, and how the VA is likely to respond. CAV brings experience from thousands of claims and appeals to that decision. You keep the representation, the deadlines, and the final professional judgment.
Consulting services
Where CAV helps
Each of these may be a single 30-minute consultation or a broader engagement. CAV agrees the scope with you before substantive work begins.
Rating-decision and codesheet analysis
CAV reviews a redacted rating decision and codesheet and explains what the decision turned on: the reasons and bases, diagnostic codes, effective dates, and combined rating. We identify where the analysis is weakest.
C&P examination and DBQ review
CAV reviews redacted copies of the examination or Disability Benefits Questionnaire and explains whether the findings support the rating the claim needs and what options may be available if they do not.
Record review
CAV reviews the redacted case record and identifies what is present, what is missing, and what evidence the claim may still need.
Claim-development support
CAV identifies what to develop before the next submission, and in what order.
Decision-review and appeal planning
CAV helps you choose the review lane: supplemental claim, higher-level review, or Board appeal, and sets out what each one requires.
Complex-rating consultation
CAV works through overlapping symptoms, secondary conditions, aggravation, and pyramiding, and how the rating criteria apply to them.
How case materials are handled
CAV reviews redacted materials only. CAV does not access the veteran's VA eFolder or VA systems and does not request or accept unredacted client records for this consulting service. Review may include redacted copies of rating decisions, codesheets, C&P examination reports, DBQs, and other materials agreed with the retaining VA-accredited representative.
Before anything is provided, the retaining VA-accredited representative must remove the veteran's name, VA file number, Social Security number, date of birth, address, contact information, and any other details that could identify the veteran. The retaining representative remains responsible for the client relationship, authorization, confidentiality, and representation.
Why professionals engage CAV
What CAV brings to your case
Thousands of claims and appeals
Dr. Melson has worked on thousands of VA disability claims and appeals. CAV has served over 4,500 veterans and reviewed more than 5,000 cases. That experience is applied to your case.
Case strategy
CAV helps you decide how to approach the claim: what the decision turns on, which review lane fits, what the case still needs, and what the VA is likely to do next.
Direct access to Dr. Melson
Your engagement is with Dr. Melson. He reviews each matter himself.
Capacity without headcount
CAV takes a single question, a targeted review, or a full case assessment. You add experienced VA capability without adding permanent staff.
A clear process
How an engagement works
Scope, timing, and the expected work product are agreed before substantive review begins.
- 1
Request a consultation
Use the form below to identify your VA-accredited role, the type of matter, and the assistance requested. Do not include client names, identifying details, or case records.
- 2
Define the scope
CAV will clarify the question, timing, expected work product, and which redacted materials, if any, are needed.
- 3
Work with Dr. Melson
The engagement may include a consultation, targeted review of redacted materials, written observations, or another agreed deliverable.
- 4
Confirm next steps
CAV provides the agreed consultation or work product and defines any follow-up scope before additional work begins.
Frequently asked questions
Before you request a consultation
The questions VA-accredited representatives ask CAV most often.
Who is this consulting service for?
This service is exclusively for individuals who hold current VA accreditation, including VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents. It is not an intake path for unaccredited professionals or individual veterans seeking direct representation.
What types of matters can CAV review?
The scope may include redacted copies of rating decisions, codesheets, C&P examinations, DBQs, medical and service records, claim-development questions, complex ratings, and decision-review or appeal planning. The exact work is defined with the retaining VA-accredited representative before review begins.
Will CAV receive the veteran's unredacted records?
No. This consulting service uses redacted materials only. The retaining VA-accredited representative must remove the veteran's name, VA file number, Social Security number, date of birth, address, contact information, and other identifying details before providing any material. CAV does not access the veteran's VA eFolder or VA systems.
Who will I be working with?
Dr. Rudy S. Melson. He reviews each matter himself, and your engagement is with him directly.
Can I book a 30-minute consultation?
Yes. CAV offers focused 30-minute consultations to VA-accredited representatives. If the matter requires additional consulting time, it is available in 30-minute increments. CAV invoices the retaining VA-accredited representative or their firm directly; CAV does not bill the veteran.
Does CAV become the representative of record?
No. You remain the representative of record. A different arrangement would need a separate agreement.
How do I request a consultation?
Use the form below to provide only a high-level description of the matter and the assistance needed. Do not include names, VA file numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, contact information, medical details, or case documents. CAV will follow up to clarify scope, timing, and any redacted materials needed for the consultation.
Request a 30-minute consultation
This service is only for VA-accredited representatives. Use the form below to identify whether you are a VA-accredited attorney, VA-accredited claims agent, or other accredited representative; the type of matter; and the support you are seeking. Do not include the veteran's name, VA file number, Social Security number, date of birth, address, contact information, medical details, or case documents. CAV will follow up to discuss scope, timing, and any redacted materials needed for the consultation.