Does anyone know if my VA local rep or my Regional Admin requires a Power of Attorney to work on my Disability Compensation claim?

NO, a power of attorney is not required. However, you must sign off stating that you are having them work on your claim. This is basically due to the HIPPA laws governing personal medical records. You need to give permission anytime you want someone new to have access to your records, weather you broke your finger and went to the ER, or filing a claim for VA benefits.

They don't need one to help you but they may ask for you to sign one so they can access your records to be of more help than they are without. And the POA should be the standard form from the VA which you can terminate at any time.

No, they do not. hey may require you to sign a release for your military of medical records, but signing for you is not normal. What was the reasoning they gave you?