Tennessee Code Title 58. Military Affairs, Emergencies and Civil Defense § 58-3-115

(1) “Compensation” means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit conferred on, or received by, any person in return for services rendered, or to be rendered, by that person or another;

(2) “Person” means an individual or a legal entity;  and

(3) “Veteran benefit matter” means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim affecting a person who has filed or expressed an intent to file a claim for a benefit, program, service, commodity, function, status, or entitlement for which a veteran, a dependent or survivor of the veteran, or another individual is eligible under the laws and rules administered by the United States department of veterans affairs or the Tennessee department of veterans services.

(b)(1) A person shall not receive compensation for referring an individual to a person to advise or assist the individual with a veteran benefit matter.

(2) A person shall not receive compensation for a service rendered in connection with a claim filed within the one (1) year of a veteran's presumptive period of active-duty release, unless the veteran acknowledges by signing a waiver that the veteran is within such period and choosing to deny free services that are available to the veteran.

(3) A person who seeks to receive compensation for advising, assisting, or consulting with an individual in connection with a veteran benefit matter must, before rendering any services, memorialize the specific terms under which the amount to be paid will be determined in a written agreement signed by both parties.  Compensation must be contingent solely upon an increase in benefits awarded, and if successful, compensation must not exceed five (5) times the amount of the monthly increase in benefits awarded based on the claim.  A person shall not charge an initial or nonrefundable fee for advising, assisting, or consulting with an individual on a veteran benefit matter.

(4) A person shall not guarantee, either directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that an individual is certain to receive specific veteran benefits or a specific level, percentage, or amount of veteran benefits.

“This business is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, or any other federally chartered veterans' service organization.  Other organizations, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, a local veterans' service organization, and other federally chartered veterans' service organizations may be able to provide you with this service free of charge.  Products or services offered by this business are not necessarily endorsed by any of these organizations.  You may qualify for other veterans' benefits beyond the benefits for which you are receiving services here.”

(6) A business that advises, assists, or consults on veteran benefit matters for compensation shall:

(c)(1) A violation of this section constitutes a violation of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, compiled in title 47, chapter 18, part 1.  A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce and is subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, in addition to the penalties and remedies in this part.

(2) Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.

(3) Funds collected as penalties for a violation of this section must be paid to the general fund of the state.

(d)(1) This section does not apply to, limit, or expand the requirements imposed on agents, attorneys, or other representatives accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and regulated by that agency.

(2) This section does not apply to public or nonprofit institutions of higher education in this state or any person receiving compensation from such institutions for advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters in the scope of the person's employment.