Author: M-VETS

M-VETS Assists Navy Veteran with Adoption and Expungement

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) successfully assisted a Navy Veteran with two civil matters in the Loudoun County Circuit Court.  In the first matter, M-VETS represented the Veteran in filing a Petition for Adoption of his nephew who has been residing with the Veteran for several years after his mother was incarcerated and his father deported.  Read more

“Liberal Consideration” and Discharge Review Boards

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Arianna Drerup.

The Hagel Memorandum, and subsequently the Kurta Memorandum, require the Discharge Review Boards (DBRs) to give “liberal consideration” to “veterans petitioning for discharge relief when the application for relief is based in whole or in part on matters relating to mental health conditions, including PTSD [Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder]; TBI [Traumatic Brain Injury]; sexual assault; or sexual harassment.” Read more

The National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service: Background, Findings, and Prospects

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor Henry Chen.

In March 2020, the congressionally chartered National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service released its Final Report.[1] The report recommended requiring women to register for selective service, while also proposing various efforts to expand voluntary military and national service opportunities. Read more

THE 90/10 LOOPHOLE: REST FOR THE WEARY?

Written By Spring 2021 M-VETS Student Advisor John R. Wilson.

The current loophole within the Higher Education Act’s 90/10 Rule incentivizes proprietary schools, or for-profit institutions, to view veterans and servicemembers as merely dollar signs in uniforms.[1] “Our commitment to care for our veterans is a sacred obligation and ensuring their hard-earned GI Bill benefits are safeguarded is part of that sacred obligation.” Read more

Multilevel Marketing Schemes: A Threat to Veterans and Dependents

Written By Fall 2020 Student Advisor Andrew Quillen.

Introduction

Multilevel Marketing companies (MLM), also called direct selling or network marketing, are businesses that create revenue by using a non-salaried workforce (“sellers”) to sell products or services directly to consumers.[i] The trick is that sellers generally pay a membership or recruitment fee, and they must purchase the inventory they will sell with their own funds. Read more

Newly Passed Legislation Addresses Inequities and Barriers Women Veterans Face When Accessing VA Health Care and Benefits

Written By Fall 2020 M-VETS Student Advisor Jeremy Hall.

Amidst—and perhaps overshadowed by—the chaos surrounding the presidential transition, President Donald Trump signed a significant veterans benefits bill into law on January 5, 2021. The more than 300-page bill, titled the “Johnny Isakson and David P. Read more

M-VETS Assists Air Force Reservist in Securing Return of Security Deposit

(Pictured: M-VETS Student-Advisor Jonathan Moeller)

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) assisted an Air Force Reservist with securing the return of his $3,300 security deposit wrongfully withheld by his Landlord. After the Reservist was separated from active duty in late 2019, he provided notice to his Landlord of his intent to terminate his lease early pursuant to the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”), which permits service members to terminate residential leases early without penalty after a permanent change of station or separation from active duty. Read more