(Pictured L-R: M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, Student Advisor Dan Krupa)

A Student Advisor in the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) represented a Vietnam Era Air Force veteran at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) hearing on December 15, 2025. The veteran is the father of a Scalia Law graduate and former M-VETS Student Advisor.

The hearing involved an appeal for service-connection of coronary artery disease—a form of ischemic heart disease—presumptively linked to in-service exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides. While the veteran did not serve in the Republic of Vietnam, the veteran handled a considerable amount of ammunition daily that originated from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, which had presumably been exposed to Agent Orange and other herbicides. M-VETS took on the case after the VA initially denied the veteran’s claim in April 2020 and has advocated on the veteran’s behalf since then.

Student Advisor Daniel Krupa served as co-counsel under the supervision of M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur. Dan conducted the pre-hearing preparation, participated in a conference with the BVA judge, delivered the opening statement, conducted the client’s direct examination, responded to questions from the BVA judge during the hearing, and provided the closing argument. “As a veteran, it was an honor and privilege to be offered this opportunity by our client, Scalia Law, and Professor MacArthur to represent a Vietnam Era veteran,” Krupa said. “It was a phenomenal learning opportunity, personally fulfilling, and provided me with a greater understanding of the devastating and far-reaching effects of Agent Orange and other herbicides on Vietnam veterans,” Krupa stated.

“Dan did an outstanding job advocating for our client during the hearing, which he handled like a professional. Dan invested a significant amount of time and effort in preparing for the hearing, enabling him to understand the facts of the case and the applicable substantive law and procedural rules. Dan presented a clear, succinct opening statement on the contested issue, conducted an effective direct examination of our client, confidently responded to the Judge’s questions, and delivered a compelling closing argument,” MacArthur stated.  “I want to thank our client for allowing Dan to represent him at the hearing and learn from this extremely valuable experience. I want to also thank the previous Student Advisors who diligently worked on this matter and provided the foundation for conducting the BVA hearing,” MacArthur continued.

Regarding the assistance received from M-VETS, the veteran stated, “Thank you for all your efforts with my case!” M-VETS continues to represent the veteran while awaiting a decision by the BVA Judge on the contested issue.

M-VETS enables students to assist active-duty members of the armed forces, their families, and veterans in a wide variety of administrative, litigation, and non-litigation matters, including appeals of denials of Department of Veterans Affairs disability compensation and educational claims, representation before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, applications for discharge upgrades and military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards.