Testimonials

At the Veteran's Legal Center, our mission is to assist every veteran, surviving spouses, and dependents in securing and maximizing the benefits they deserve. We understand the sacrifices made in service to our country and are honored to provide the support and legal expertise needed to navigate the complex VA benefits system.

Our team's dedication to compassionate, personalized service is reflected in the success stories and gratitude from those we've helped. These testimonials highlight our commitment and the positive impact we strive to make.

We are pleased to share some reviews from our satisfied clients. Their words of appreciation showcase our dedication and inspire us to continue our mission. We hope these stories will give you confidence in choosing us to represent you, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you as well.

Thanks for helping me reach 100% VA disability rating. Your orginazation is very professional and the attention to detail is beyond reproach. I appreciate the personal care and counseling in every aspect of my case. Thank you again!

Alan Gibson

Navy, San Diego, CA

Craig Candelore and David Kruger masterfully handled my father’s claim for VA financial support – VA disability claim at 100%!!! If I could give him a higher score, I would! Navigating this application process is nearly impossible for an ordinary citizen. Believe me, I tried and failed on my father’s behalf. Of course, he was eligible as evidenced by the final outcome, but this process takes an expert to navigate! Craig and David are those experts! David kept us informed every step of the way and continues to check in on us post decision. My father is thrilled by the outcome, and now has resources for his care! This is a huge win for my father! I highly recommend the team at the Veteran’s Legal Center!

Shannon Perri

Air Force, San Diego, CA

I Remembered Craig Candelore from his presentations at the San Diego VFW and the Miramar College Veterans Office. I called him to get assistance with finding a medical evaluation to file a PTSD claim and he thought he would be able to help me. I got a lot more than I expected! Craig, David and the team took on the case with gusto. Man – what a bulldog! He latched on to the case and wouldn’t let go until the VA rated my disabilities at 100%. When the initial evaluation came in too low, he immediately requested a Higher Level Review. That review came back with an evaluation more than enough to bring my total evaluation to 100%. Penny Worthington was spot on with all the documents, forms, and procedures and instructions to keep the process on track. It was a real pleasure working with the team. Thank you for all your dedicated efforts.

Joseph Szitta

USN, Escondido, California

I don’t know if it was divine intervention or sheer luck, but finding David Kruger and the Veteran’s Legal Center was nothing short of a miracle. I had been battling mental health issues and had just been denied my service connection. As any Marine would, I shrugged it off and was ready to throw in the towel. But one day, while walking through Cuyamaca College’s veteran center, I came across David’s advertisement on the bulletin board. At first, I assumed it was just another VSO looking to take advantage of veterans and their benefits, but something told me to give it a shot. I submitted an online request for a free case evaluation and, to my surprise, received a call from David shortly after. From that first conversation, I knew I had found someone who would genuinely have my back. David took the time to explain the process clearly and eased all the worries I had about my case. He went above and beyond to gather and organize my evidence, building a compelling appeal for the VA. Within just a few weeks, I had a C&P exam scheduled—something I’d previously been denied and thought I’d never have a shot at. Before the exam, I was overwhelmed and dealing with intense mental health challenges, but David was always there to talk me through my fears. His guidance helped me open up about my struggles, making the process much less daunting. After the exam, it felt like a weight had been lifted, but I knew there was still a long road ahead. David was in constant communication, providing detailed updates—something no other VSO had done for me before. His prompt responses to my calls and emails were beyond appreciated, especially during a process that can feel painfully slow for any veteran waiting on appeal results. He never made me feel like a burden, even when I asked for frequent updates. The entire process took about a year, but David’s support never wavered. He kept me informed every step of the way and always reassured me that I was a priority. A few months ago, I finally got word back from the VA, and the outcome has been life-changing. I truly can’t thank David and the Veteran’s Legal Center enough. David didn’t just help me with my case—he became someone I can trust, someone who I feel I can rely on as a friend. If you’re a veteran seeking help, do yourself a favor and reach out to him. I can’t recommend his services highly enough!

Nathan Nguyen

Marine Corps, San Diego, CA

I am beyond grateful for the exceptional support I received from Veterans Legal Center during my VA disability claim process. From the very beginning in March 2024, to receiving my VA Rating Decision Notification letter recently, the professionalism, care, and expertise of their team made all the difference. David Kruger, Senior Strategy Advisor, and Penny Worthington, Paralegal, were nothing short of phenomenal. Their communication was always prompt, clear, and patient—no matter how many questions I had or how complex the process became. Both were incredibly thorough, ensuring I was always informed and reassured. David, in particular, spent several hours on the phone with me throughout the process, guiding me step by step. His expertise and experience were evident, but what truly stood out was his empathy. He not only explained the process in a way that put me at ease, but he also made it clear that he genuinely cared about my situation. My wife and I were comforted by his thoughtful approach, and it became easy to trust David and his team implicitly. The level of confidence, professionalism, and compassion we experienced with Veterans Legal Center is rare. David and Penny handled my case with the utmost dedication, and their ability to make what could have been a daunting process feel manageable and stress-free was invaluable. If you are a veteran seeking help with your VA disability claim, I cannot recommend Veterans Legal Center highly enough. Their team doesn’t just provide a service—they walk with you through every step, offering the support, expertise, and care that every veteran deserves. Thank you, David, Penny, and the entire team, for going above and beyond for us.

Josh Phelps

United States Marine Corps, San Marcos, CA

Jumped right in and went after the VA for benefits he was entitled to. Would have received them, but he passed away before he got the back pay he was entitled to. Penny, David, and Craig were so supportive and helpful getting the cremation fee reimbursed to me so quickly. Great group of people.

Phillip Vorrhees

NAVY, VALLEY CENTER, CA

Welcome to the Veteran's Legal Center

Hello, I'm Craig Candelore, USMA ‘76, retired US Army Colonel, and Managing Attorney. If you've spent even a single day in a US Military uniform, you're part of a unique group of 7% of the US population to answer their country’s call. That deserves receipt of your full VA entitlements.

Our Services:

- Free Claim Representation:   We handle your original VA claims for disability benefits at no cost to you - even Benefit Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims for those separating from service.

- Free Initial VA Claims Representation:   We assist you for free with new conditions, secondary conditions, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, increased evaluation, and Individual Unemployability.

- Free Initial VA Claims Representation:   We assist you for free with new conditions, secondary conditions, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, of pre-existing conditions, increased evaluation, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions,Individual Unemployability.

- Appeals:   If denied, we'll represent you in your appeal for a fixed 20% fee of any retroactive benefits. The sooner you take action, the lower the fee. No win, no fee. We cover expert medical testimony costs upfront if needed.

We are experts in all facets of VA claims, including BDD, PACT Act, and Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) cases.

Let Us Help:

Our dedicated team is here to secure the benefits you deserve with expertise and compassion. We represent clients from every state! No need for an office visit, we can do everything remotely, and we’re accredited with the VA Office of General Counsel.

Click below to schedule your free consultation today.

Thank you for trusting us and thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Craig A

Craig A. Candelore Esq., COL (USA Retired) Managing Attorney, Veteran's Legal Center