Written by Spring 2026 M-VETS Student Advisor, Yonatan Shoshan.
I. Introduction: A Promise Deferred
The United States has enlisted non-citizens into its armed forces since the Revolutionary War. Today, federal law not only allows lawful permanent residents to join but also provides them with an expedited path to citizenship as a benefit of their service. Read more
Written by Spring 2026 M-VETS Student Advisor Cole Smith
Servicemembers can encounter traumatic events during their service, leading to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). PTSD and TBI can cause functional impairments and may lead to anxiety or depression. Read more
Written by Fall 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Jacoby Warner.
I. Introduction: A Cautious Win for Veteran Law
Practitioners representing veterans in disability retirement cases are accustomed to hard limits. Correction boards have often treated disability retirement as unavailable when a client’s separation was the result of misconduct, invoking statutory authority as a threshold bar rather than considering the medical merits. Read more
Written By a Fall 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor.
Moving to a new school can be challenging, but if you and your family are new or returning to a Virginia public school system, this guide is here to help you ensure a smooth transition for your child into their new school. Read more
Written by Fall 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Daniel Krupa.
On April 16, 2024, the Supreme Court’s 7-2 ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough expanded educational benefits for some veterans, allowing up to 48 months of combined Montgomery GI Bill (“MGIB”) and Post-9/11 GI Bill (“PGIB”) benefits, overturning the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) 36-month cap for those with dual entitlements. Read more
Written By Summer 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Anthony Mancini.
Introduction
Preparing for a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) is a critical, yet often daunting task for any advocate—especially for law students working on pro bono cases where your client is a veteran who has waited several years for their appeal to be heard. Read more
Written by Summer 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Andrew West.
In June 2025, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Soto v. United States that will result in substantial retroactive payments to over 9,000 combat-disabled veterans.[1] The ruling marked a major legal victory not only for the class of veterans involved, but also for the National Veterans Legal Service Program (NVLSP), a nonprofit pro bono organization that has been fighting for veterans’ rights for more than four decades. Read more
Written by Spring 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Alexandria Ryan.
History
In 2016 at the end of the Obama Administration, the former Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, authorized transgender Servicemembers to openly serve for the first time.[1] But, the policy was short-lived when President Trump took office in 2017, and ordered the Department of Defense (DoD) to exclude transgender individuals from military service. Read more
Written by Spring 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Samantha Hargis.
Background
The VA appeals process allows veterans to challenge decisions about their disability benefits. Historically, the system was slow and complex, often taking years to resolve appeals. In 2019, the Appeals Modernization Act (“AMA”) introduced a streamlined process with three lanes: supplemental claims, higher-level reviews, and direct appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (“BVA”), which offers multiple review options, including hearings. Read more
Written By Fall 2024 M-VETS Student Advisor Curtis Power.
