M-VETS – Page 9 – Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic

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

M-VETS Helps a Survivor of Military Sexual Trauma Clear Erroneous UCMJ Titling Decision

In July 2020, the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) successfully cleared the name of a survivor of military sexual trauma from the Army Crimes Records Center (CRC) database. The survivor is an Army veteran who served on active duty in the 1990s. Read more

Veteran Substance Use Dependence and Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Options

Written By Summer 2020 M-VETS Student-Advisor Cameron Williams.

Military veterans have struggled trying to overcome substance use disorders (SUDs) for over two centuries of American conflicts. Beginning after the Revolutionary War soldiers consumed two substances we consider relatively benign today, alcohol and caffeine[1]. Read more

What Virginia Renters Need to Know About Failure to Pay Rent During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Written By Summer 2020 M-VETS Student Advisor Jonathan Moeller.

The coronavirus has disrupted virtually every area of life. With uncertainty about the economy and thousands of Commonwealth residents out of work, many Virginians have been left wondering how they will handle their most significant monthly expense: the rent. Read more

Licensing and Easing the Burdens of Transition

Written By Summer 2020 M-VETS Student Advisor Patrick Francescon.

When a military recruiter speaks to a potential recruit one of the benefits the recruiter is likely to highlight is the job skills training that they will be given in the military. Read more

Fifteen Years of Department of Defense Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Assault within the Military: The Accomplishments and Shortcomings

Written By Summer 2020 M-VETS Student-Advisor Ashley Close.

During the last couple of decades, numerous news stories shed light on the prevalence of sexual assault within the military. Following these scandals, in February of 2004, the former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed Dr. Read more

M-VETS Wins $55,000.00 in Disability Compensation for Retired Air Force Veteran

The Antonin Scalia Law School Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) secured Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) disability compensation for a retired U.S. Air Force veteran. M-VETS argued in a brief before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals the veteran was entitled to service connection and disability payments for a condition caused by military service. Read more

COVID-19 and Veterans Benefits: What Veterans Should Know

Written By Spring 2020 M-VETS Student-Advisor Corey Pray.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of life in one way or another. The veterans community is included among those that have been significantly impacted. As of May 17, 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports 12,208 cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,005 known deaths among patients who have been tested or treated at VA facilities. Read more

2019 Amendments to the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act benefit Virginia Renters

Written By Spring 2020 M-VETS Student-Advisor Michelle Yearick.

The Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act (“VRLTA”), now codified in the Virginia Code at § 55.1-1200 through § 55.1-1262, has established the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in Virginia since its enactment in 1974. Read more

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR PTSD – WHY LEGISLATIVE REFORM IS NEEDED TO PROTECT FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS

By Spring 2020 M-VETS Student-Advisor Joshua McKenney

In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, frontline health workers around the world are receiving well-deserved social recognition for their efforts. But it is necessary that the law reflect equal recognition for these frontline health workers who place themselves at risk in service to their communities. Read more