Question 1

What is Azimuth?

Accepted Answer

Azimuth is an independent technology platform that connects veterans with VA-accredited representatives. It organizes intake, representative matching, evidence, secure communication, claim tracking, and appeals support into one connected case record. Azimuth is developed and operated by HGM Fund and is not the Department of Veterans Affairs, a law firm, a healthcare provider, or a government agency.

Question 2

What is a VA-accredited representative?

Accepted Answer

An attorney, claims agent, or VSO officer formally recognized by VA under 38 CFR §14.629, and authorized to prepare, present, and prosecute claims on a veteran's behalf.

Question 3

How does Azimuth work?

Accepted Answer

Azimuth is a secure technology platform connecting veterans with VA-accredited representatives. You complete a simple 5-minute digital intake that locks in your Intent to File date. Our matching engine pairs you with an accredited representative who manages your evidence, paperwork, C&P exam prep, and appeals through our unified portal.

Question 4

What does Azimuth cost a veteran?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. Azimuth is free for veterans, permanently — there is no upfront fee, no fee later, and no fee taken out of your benefits. We are paid by the accredited representatives and organizations who use our platform, not by veterans. Your representative's fees are governed separately by federal law, and the rules differ by representative type. VSO representatives may never charge you a fee, at any stage of a claim or appeal. Accredited attorneys and claims agents may not charge anything for an initial claim; a fee only becomes permissible after VA issues its initial decision and you pursue a decision review or appeal. When a fee does apply, it is capped and disclosed in writing before you agree to anything — fees of 20% or less of past-due benefits are presumed reasonable, and VA's Office of General Counsel can review and reduce any fee. Azimuth receives no portion of any representative fee.

Question 5

How long does matching with a representative take?

Accepted Answer

Most veterans are matched with an accredited representative in less than 24 hours. Once matched, your representative reaches out via Azimuth secure messaging or phone to initiate your Power of Attorney (VA Form 21-22) and review your claim file.

Question 6

Can I track my claim online in real time?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Azimuth features a live 8-stage VA claim status dashboard that updates whenever your file progresses: from Initial Review to Evidence Gathering, Preparation for Decision, and Notification. You get total transparency without calling hotlines.

Question 7

What happens if I need to file an appeal or rating increase?

Accepted Answer

If the VA denies your claim or assigns a rating lower than warranted by your medical evidence, your representative immediately reviews your rating letter and initiates the appropriate AMA Decision Review lane: Higher-Level Review (HLR), Supplemental Claim, or Board Appeal.

Question 8

Is Azimuth affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a law firm?

Accepted Answer

No. Azimuth is an independent technology platform developed by HGM Fund. We are not the Department of Veterans Affairs, not a law firm, and not a government agency, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by VA. We build the software. The representation itself is provided by independent VA-accredited attorneys, claims agents, and Veterans Service Organization representatives, who are accountable to VA's Office of General Counsel — not to us. Azimuth does not prepare, present, or prosecute claims, and does not give legal or medical advice.

Question 9

How do I know my representative is really accredited?

Accepted Answer

Because you can check, independently of us. VA's Office of General Counsel publishes a public accreditation search at va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation. Every representative on Azimuth is verified there before their account is activated, and re-verified on an ongoing basis — accreditation can be suspended or cancelled, and a representative who was accredited last year may not be today. Anyone who does not appear in that registry cannot lawfully hold your power of attorney or prosecute your claim.

Question 10

Do I get one named representative, or a whole organization?

Accepted Answer

It depends on who represents you. Accredited attorneys and claims agents are appointed as individuals, so you work with that specific person. Veterans Service Organizations are appointed as an organization, so any of their accredited representatives can act on your claim — that is how VA's rules work, and it means your case does not stall if one person leaves. Either way, Azimuth logs every access to your file individually, so ‘who has seen my records’ always has a precise answer.

Question 11

I already have a representative. What happens if I sign up?

Accepted Answer

VA recognizes only one power of attorney at a time, so appointing a new representative replaces your current one. If you already have a representative you are happy with, you do not need to change anything — and if you are unsure, talk to your current representative first. Azimuth will not change your representation without you signing a new appointment form yourself.

Question 12

I am an accredited representative. How do I join?

Accepted Answer

Create an account and record your VA accreditation. We verify it against the VA Office of General Counsel registry before your account is activated, and re-check it over time. Attorneys, claims agents, and VSO representatives are all eligible. Your organization can also work as a team, with shared caseload visibility for administrators.

Question 13

Does Azimuth file or prepare claims for me?

Accepted Answer

No. Azimuth never files anything to VA on its own. You remain the accredited representative of record, you make every judgment call, and you file — either through your own workflow or, where supported, from the platform under the power of attorney the veteran signed. Azimuth organizes evidence, tracks deadlines, and handles the paperwork around your work. It does not do your work.

Question 14

What can my organization see?

Accepted Answer

Administrators see the firm-wide caseload and can reassign cases, which is logged. Individual members see only the cases assigned to them. A veteran's uploaded records are never opened up to administrators by default — records-sharing consent names the assigned representative personally, or their organization if the veteran chooses that.

Question 15

What is the Azimuth Foundation?

Accepted Answer

The Azimuth Foundation is a charitable initiative of Azimuth LLC, rather than a separate legal entity or private foundation. Each year, Azimuth commits 8% of its applicable pre-tax profits to the Azimuth Foundation. Funds committed to the initiative are maintained in a separate Azimuth-owned account dedicated to charitable giving. An Independent Grants Advisor is appointed to identify needs, evaluate opportunities, and direct distributions consistent with the Foundation’s mission. The Azimuth Foundation can provide support both directly to veterans and military families in need and to organizations and programs that serve the veteran and military community.

How Can We Help?

Send us a message

How Can We Help?

Send us a message