AUSTIN, TX – October 23, 2026 – [KOREWIRE] – VetClaims.ai, a veteran-owned disability claims development company founded by Purple Heart recipient Lukas Simianer, has surpassed 80,000 veterans’ claims developed since launching in September 2024. The Austin-based company now develops more than 9,000 claims monthly, supported by 438 W-2 employees, approximately 78% of whom are military veterans.
Combining artificial intelligence with human-reviewed evidence preparation, VetClaims.ai helps veterans organize medical documentation, identify potentially eligible conditions, and prepare comprehensive disability compensation claims for independent submission to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). According to company-reported data, its developed claims average 1.8 evidence-development rounds, compared with a typical four to six rounds, demonstrating the potential for more complete initial submissions to reduce administrative delays.
“Veterans aren’t failing the claims process. The claims process is failing veterans at intake, before VBA or VHA ever touches the file,” said Simianer, founder and CEO of VetClaims.ai.
Addressing Gaps in Veterans’ Benefits Assistance
With approximately 19 million veterans nationwide, access to qualified disability claims assistance remains a significant challenge. Approximately 15,200 individuals are VA-accredited representatives, including 8,500 veterans service organization officers, 6,000 attorneys, and 700 claims agents. Because federal restrictions generally prohibit attorneys and claims agents from charging fees before an initial VA decision, the company estimates approximately one representative is available for every 2,230 veterans seeking initial claims assistance.
Federal appeals data further illustrate the system’s complexity. In fiscal year 2025, approximately 84% of U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims dispositions involved a remand, reversal, or vacatur, in whole or in part. The Board of Veterans’ Appeals has reported remand rates ranging from 30% to 44%, while a Government Accountability Office review found that approximately 80% of appealed Board decisions examined were remanded by the court.
VetClaims.ai seeks to address documentation deficiencies before claims enter the federal system. Its AI-assisted platform analyzes service histories and medical records, identifies relevant evidence, and helps specialists develop organized claim packages. Every document undergoes human review, while veterans retain complete authority over their submissions.
The company reports that technology has reduced portions of the evidence-preparation process from hours to minutes, allowing its veteran-majority workforce to support thousands of claims monthly without eliminating individualized assistance.
Transparent Pricing and Veteran-Controlled Claims
VetClaims.ai operates through a fixed-fee model, charging $1,250 when paid in full or $1,500 through three installments. Unlike contingency-based providers, the company takes no percentage of disability compensation, retroactive benefits, or future awards. Its guarantee provides a full refund plus an additional $500 if a developed claim does not result in a new or increased disability rating, subject to applicable terms.
Veterans participate in structured intake sessions, work directly with specialists, and receive evidence packages for review and approval before independently filing through VA.gov. Additional services include compensation and pension examination preparation, educational webinars, and assistance understanding unfavorable decisions.
VetClaims.ai is not VA-accredited, does not provide legal representation, and does not file claims or communicate with the VA on customers’ behalf. The company also directs veterans to free assistance through accredited veterans service organizations.
Federal Proposal Projects Up to $1.65 Billion in Annual Savings
Beyond its commercial services, VetClaims.ai has proposed a federal initiative designed to improve disability claims preparation before military separation. Following the September 8, 2026, executive order addressing veterans’ benefits access, the company outlined a Front-End Bridge model that would connect separating service members with optional evidence-development assistance through the military’s Transition Assistance Program.
Approximately 17,000 service members separate monthly, representing roughly 200,000 annually. Under the proposal, participating service members would receive assistance preparing Benefits Delivery at Discharge claims without paying a fee, while retaining control over their records and submissions.
According to Government Accountability Office report GAO-25-107483, the VA spent more than $5 billion on approximately 3.2 million contracted disability examinations in fiscal year 2024. VetClaims.ai estimates an average examination cost of approximately $1,560, compared with its proposed federal service fee of $1,250 per participant.
Its financial model projects that avoiding one examination per veteran could generate approximately $63 million in annual net savings across 204,000 participants. Avoiding three examinations could increase projected savings to approximately $700 million, while avoiding six could produce approximately $1.65 billion annually. These estimates are hypothetical and would require federal validation.
The proposed implementation begins with a six-month, five-installation pilot covering up to 6,000 claims and a $7.5 million contract ceiling. A second phase would expand to approximately 20 installations and 5,000 monthly claims, followed by potential national coverage of 17,000 monthly participants. Expansion would depend on demonstrated results, with 20% of the proposed contract fee tied to VA-defined performance measures.
Purple Heart Veteran Leads Technology-Driven Mission
Simianer enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17, served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Afghanistan at 19. Following military separation, he experienced homelessness and difficulties accessing veterans’ benefits, experiences that later influenced the creation of VetClaims.ai.
Before founding the company, Simianer developed Clusiv, an accessible digital learning platform that raised more than $4 million in venture capital and secured contracts across nearly 50 states. His professional background includes participation in Techstars, advising the CIA’s Open Source Enterprise on digital innovation, and recognition from the Texas Business Hall of Fame for Innovative Leadership.
VetClaims.ai has maintained an official partnership with the Purple Heart Foundation since December 2024. The company also offers free benefits resources, including its privacy-focused Patriot Portal browser extension, a disability-rating calculator, benefits-discovery tools, and educational materials.
The company advocates stronger regulation of veterans’ claims assistance, including fee caps, mandatory disclosure of free services, entity-level accreditation, and restrictions on percentage-based compensation.
“Regulation isn’t the enemy,” Simianer said. “Ambiguity is.”
With more than 80,000 claims developed, a veteran-majority workforce, and a proposed federal expansion strategy, VetClaims.ai aims to demonstrate how technology and veteran-led expertise can improve claims preparation while potentially reducing administrative costs.
About VetClaims.ai
VetClaims.ai is an Austin-based, veteran-owned disability claims development company founded by Purple Heart recipient Lukas Simianer. Combining AI-assisted technology with human-reviewed evidence preparation, the company helps veterans develop disability compensation claims they independently submit to the VA. Since September 2024, VetClaims.ai reports developing more than 80,000 claims and currently handles over 9,000 monthly. The company is an official partner of the Purple Heart Foundation and is not VA-accredited.
For more information, visit https://vetclaims.ai.
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