Question:

I have been using my GI Bill in Berkeley for four semesters now. The VA has been very good in paying me and on time, but another school in another city bought my current school in 2014 and as of this past spring (2018) is claiming my school is located in Thousand Oaks on paper (even though it has not moved) and as a result my BAH has been slashed by $1200/mo. I have tried to get this adjusted since February working through the school, but they have not been able or willing to help. I do not want to file suit, but feel they are not giving me much of a choice as this is all I have to live on. Am I in a legal position to do so?

Jim's Reply:

I'm not able to say yes or no as to whether you're in a position to take legal action against VA. You'd have to speak directly with a veterans law attorney to determine whether or not you have something that could reasonably be acted on in the courts. I can hazard a guess that you won't get the help you need in the courts. I think your best bet is to seek an advocate who knows the system well. You should contact the office of one of your Congressional representatives and ask for help. Congresspersons have on staff a military and veterans liaison (or a similar title) who can file an inquiry with VA to determine the correct answer and hopefully the solution to the apparent errors.