Understanding and Claiming Veterans Benefits 2025

  • OnDemand seminar
  • Government Law
Up to 4.0 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Understanding and Claiming Veterans Benefits 2025

Serving those who’ve served

Despite the availability of benefits such as housing, medical, and financial assistance, many of the more than 15 million U.S. veterans1 are unaware of the benefits to which they are entitled. The complexity of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claim system and the Department of Defense (DOD) discharge upgrade process can be daunting. Attorneys can play a crucial role in guiding veterans through these systems to secure the benefits they’ve rightfully earned.

At Understanding and Claiming Veterans Benefits, you’ll find practical pointers and insights into representing those who’ve served the United States. An experienced panel of presenters will cover:

  • Filing and proving service connection claims
  • Representing veterans in the discharge upgrade process
  • Documenting symptoms for accurate disability ratings
  • Describing the non-adversarial nature of VA claims to clients
12:05 am
Program Ends
8:30 am
Filing a Claim for Service Connection

Shana M. Dunn

  • Disability, service connected
  • Compensation
  • What is service connection
  • How do you file a claim for service connection
  • How do you prove a claim for service connection
9:20 am
Nuts & Bolts of the VA appeal process

Shana M. Dunn

  • What types of appeal are available
    o Request for higher level review
    o Supplemental Claim
    o Notice of Disagreement (Board of Veteran’s Appeals)
    o Timelines
  • Common VA errors requiring appeal
  • Hearings
  • Review the non-adversarial process
10:10 am
Break
10:25 am
Appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Travis West

  • What to know if you’ve never done this area
  • Rule 33 conference process (ISO)
  • Tips for handling briefing
  • What are next steps?
11:05 am
VA Accreditation, Allowable Fees, and Status of Veterans Mass Tort Litigation

Shana M. Dunn, Jason E. Johns, Travis James West

  • VA accreditation process
  • GUARD VA Benefits Act vs. PLUS Act
    • o Allowable compensation structure
  • Summary of status: Camp Lejeune, 3M, AFFF legal action

Program Chairs & Presenters

Shana M. Dunn
West & Dunn · Waunakee
Travis James West
West & Dunn · Waunakee

Presenter

Jason E. Johns
Johns Law Inc. · Oregon

  • Discover effective strategies for developing evidence to link injuries or disabilities to military service
  • Use current medical assessments to document symptom severity and secure accurate disability ratings
  • Help veterans with less-than-honorable discharges from PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury-related infractions access the benefits they deserve
  • Gain insights into the process for appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
  • Stay informed on recent cases and policy changes impacting veterans claims
  • Attorneys representing military veterans or their families
  • Public interest lawyers
  • Elder and special needs law practitioners
  • Family lawyers
  • Solo and small firm practitioners
  • General practitioners

Book Bonus!

Advising Older Clients & Their Families – 2 Volume Set
Save 15% on the Advising Older Clients & Their Families – 2 Volume Set.* Inside, you’ll find the practice pointers, tips, charts, forms, and other tools essential to help you build and maintain a successful elder law practice. Use discount code CA3776 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/26. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

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