(Pictured: M-VETS Student Advisor Danny Jenkins)

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) successfully advocated for a United States Air Force (USAF) veteran to receive Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) disability payments at the 50% compensation rate for the rest of the veteran’s life.

The veteran served on active duty in the USAF from 2016 through 2019. During her service, she could not serve openly in alignment with her gender identity and suffered invisible injuries due to the Department of Defense’s 2017 ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.

M-VETS student advisors worked with the veteran to collect and analyze her service treatment records and team up with the George Mason University Center for Community Health (GMU CCMH) to prepare a full-scope psychosocial and emotional evaluation.  The GMU CCMH report was then used by M-VETS to file a claim with the DVA on behalf of the veteran.  The claim was granted by the DVA, which resulted in the veteran receiving disability payments at the 50% compensation rate.

M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur stated: “I’m glad the veteran reached out to M-VETS, and we were able to assist with this issue. GMU CCMH did a remarkable job assessing the situation and preparing a comprehensive evaluation that assisted our veteran in receiving the compensation she deserves. The completed report showed that during her military service, the veteran suffered from gender dysphoria and major depressive and anxiety disorders directly related to her military service.”

“I want to thank M-VETS and GMU CCMH for helping me obtain my benefits!” said the veteran.

MacArthur continued: “Our client served honorably in the USAF, and to have her invisible wounds recognized by the DVA as service-connected was a fantastic result.” MacArthur emphasized the contribution of the past student advisors who worked on this matter. “Throughout M-VETS’s representation, four (4) student advisors assisted with the client’s matter, and they did an incredible job,” MacArthur said. “I appreciate the time and effort they put into this case, and their hard work paid off.”

M-VETS Student Advisor Danny Jenkins stated, “The opportunity to step away from the classroom and learn by helping real clients with real problems has been invaluable. The past student advisors did incredible work, and I was honored to play a role in helping our client receive the compensation she deserves.”

M-VETS assists veterans, Servicemembers, and their dependents in a variety of civil matters, including uncontested divorces, landlord/tenant matters, consumer protection, and contract disputes, as well as in military/DVA administrative matters, including MEB/PEBs, Discharge Upgrades, Boards for Correction of Military Records, and DVA disability compensation and educational benefit appeals.