There are over 21 million veterans in the U.S.; many of them are not aware of the benefits to which they are entitled. Medical and financial assistance are available to those who have served in the military, but many veterans most in need are not receiving VA benefits. Navigating the VA claims system and applying for discharge upgrades before the Department of Defense are difficult and complex processes. Attorneys play an essential role in removing barriers to VA benefits, such as:

• Lack of evidence to “service-connect” their injuries or disabilities.
• Lack of current medical or mental health evidence documenting severity of symptoms for accurate disability ratings.
• VA eligibility determinations for those given less than fully honorable discharges for behaviors that were related to minor disciplinary infractions or symptoms of Post- Traumatic Stress or other service-related disabilities.  

IMPORTANT! If you get accredited by the VA before you attend this training, the first three hours will satisfy the VA’s CLE requirement.

Attorneys and other advocates must be accredited to practice before the VA. To obtain accreditation you must complete this form:www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA21a.pdf.

1. Accreditation by the VA may take several weeks, so do not delay filing your application.You can speed up the process by emailing the form to: OGCAccreditationMailbox@va.gov.
2. Within 12 months after accreditation you are required to complete three hours of qualifying CLE. The morning session of this program satisfies that requirement, but only if you have already received your accreditation from the VA. If you have not received it, you should still watch this program, but keep in mind that you will need to complete three additional hours of CLE within 12 months after receiving your accreditation.
3. Attorneys and other advocates who become accredited will be listed on a national VA list, and are entitled to represent veterans in their claims for benefits, on a pro bono basis, and for attorney’s fees on appeals, where they are available.

July 2018