StatesideLegal in 2022

In Memoriam

2022 was a tough year for StatesideLegal with two huge, unexpected losses. The first came in January with the passing of our Founder, Nan Heald. Near the end of 2022, we also unexpectedly lost Jim Strickland, a member of our Advisory Board and the lead of Jim's Mailbag.  

	Nan Heald was known nationally for her work in legal services and used her  vast network to create and launch StatesideLegal. Assisting veterans and their families was one of her top priorities and she became a tireless advocate for those with military experience. Her absence has been profound, not just for this website, but for legal aid and veteran communities far and wide. It is with Nan in mind, that StatesideLegal continues this work in earnest. Because of Nan, we move forward with a heightened sense of purpose and dedication to those who served and continue to serve.
	Jim Strickland, best known at StatesideLegal as the voice of Jim’s Mailbag, was a Vietnam Era veteran, a member of our Advisory Board, and the incredibly dedicated webmaster of VAWatchdog.org. Jim took over VAWatchdog to honor a fellow veteran and friend who passed away years ago. The website now continues on to honor of both of them. Jim was an expert in all things related to VA disability and used his knowledge to empower other veterans, service members, and families in receiving the benefits they so rightfully earned. Jim was an amazing human being, relentless and fierce, and his passing is a huge loss to all of us.

Jim's Mailbag

Given Jim’s passing, Jim’s Mailbag is not accepting user questions as the moment. However, it is Stateside’s full intention to continue Jim’s legacy (as he hoped) and will be bringing back the ability to answer your VA Disability questions soon. Until then, you can go to Jim’s Mailbag page and search to see if your question (or one like it) has been answered before.

Major Laws Passed in 2022 Assisting Veterans

The PACT Act

The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022. The PACT Act increases the number of veterans who are eligible for VA benefits and health care due to exposure to toxins during military service. This includes Vietnam Era Veterans, People exposed to toxic water at Camp LeJuene, and veterans exposed to burn pits.

To learn more about the PACT Act, what it includes, and who is eligible, go to our Frequently Asked Questions about the PACT Act page.   

The MAMMO for Veterans Act

The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act was signed into law in June of 2022. It upgraded and expanded breast imagining and cancer treatments offered to veterans. The Act specifically benefits:
 

• Women veterans (who are often have a higher risk for breast cancer than civilian women) and
   
• Rural veterans who often have issues accessing imaging and breast cancer care in their area.

New and Updated Frequently Asked Questions Pages

Stateside was hard at work answering frequently asked questions about some of the most pressing issues for veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Below are just a few examples of the new and updated Frequently Asked Questions pages in 2022:

Frequently Asked Questions about the PACT Act

Frequently Asked Questions: "Service Animals" and "Assistance Animals," What Are My Rights?

Child Support and Veterans Benefits - FAQs