Category: news

(Pictured from L-R: M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur, Student Advisor Erica Bampton, Student Advisor Megan Nieboer)

A Student Advisor in the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) represented a U.S. Navy Veteran at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) hearing on July 13, 2026. The veteran served for nearly ten and a half years on active duty in the Navy and developed epilepsy during his time in service, for which the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) and the VA had granted service connection.

The BVA hearing involved an appeal for an increased rating of epilepsy from the veteran’s entry into the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) to present. At issue was whether the veteran’s sleeping seizures were considered major seizures under 38 U.S.C. § 4.124(a) (D.C. 8910) and whether their frequency warranted a higher rating with the VA. M-VETS took on the case after the PEB awarded the veteran a 60 percent rating upon retirement from service, while the VA assigned him only a 20 percent rating.

Student Advisor Erica Bampton served as lead counsel for the BVA hearing under the supervision of M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. Ms. Bampton 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. “Having worked at a firm specializing in VA appeals, it was both professionally and personally satisfying to work with our client in appealing his increased rating claim at the BVA and conducting the hearing,” Ms. Bampton said. “Working with a veteran so closely on their appeal and seeing the case development from start to finish was an incredible learning experience and, more than that, a meaningful opportunity to see how advocacy can ensure a veteran’s long-term benefits,” Ms. Bampton said.

“Erica did a great job advocating for our client during and in her preparation for the BVA hearing. Erica professionally handled client meetings, researched the applicable substantive law and procedural rules, and wrote persuasively in her statements.” Mr. MacArthur stated. “I want to thank our client for allowing Erica to represent him at the hearing and learn from this extremely valuable experience. Further, I want to also thank our client for allowing the other Student Advisors in M-VETS to observe the BVA hearing, which provided a fantastic learning experience for them as well. Also, thank you to the previous Student Advisors who diligently worked on this matter and provided the foundation for conducting the BVA hearing,” Mr. MacArthur stated.

Regarding the assistance received from M-VETS, the veteran reported he felt “reassured” going into the hearing. The veteran stated, “If I had gone there by myself, I would not have had the confidence to be there. I felt I was in good hands.” M-VETS continues to represent the veteran while awaiting a decision by the BVA Judge on the contested issue.

M-VETS enables Scalia Law 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.

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) successfully argued a matter before the Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) seeking a fully Honorable conditions discharge for an Army veteran. M-VETS has been working with the veteran since 2019 and recently secured a fully Honorable conditions discharge. The successful application will make the veteran eligible for post-9/11 educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

The veteran served on active duty as an Infantryman (11B) in the Army from 2017 through 2018.  During service, the veteran suffered invisible injuries due to military sexual trauma, which led to self-medication to soothe the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. As a result, the veteran was discharged from the Army under less-than-fully Honorable conditions. This discharge characterization prevented the veteran from accessing DVA educational benefits.

M-VETS student advisors worked with the veteran to collect and analyze military service and DVA treatment records. They teamed up with the George Mason University Center for Community Health (GMU CCMH) to prepare a full-scope psychosocial and emotional evaluation.  M-VETS then used the GMU CCMH report to file an application with the ADRB, along with a supporting brief and exhibits, on behalf of the veteran in 2023.

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. Since 2018, the veteran has not been eligible for DVA educational benefits due to the discharge characterization and has carried the stigma of a discharge with less-than-fully honorable conditions. The stigma has been removed, and the veteran can use those hard-earned educational benefits due to the fully Honorable conditions discharge.”

“Thank you so much for all of your help through this long, difficult process!” said the veteran.

MacArthur continued: “GMU CCMH did a remarkable job assessing the situation and preparing a comprehensive evaluation that assisted our veteran in securing a fully Honorable conditions discharge. The completed report showed that the veteran suffered from invisible wounds due to military sexual trauma, which was directly related to military service. Throughout M-VETS’s representation, several M-VETS student advisors assisted with the client’s matter. They truly believed in this veteran’s cause, and I appreciate the time and effort they put into this case,” MacArthur said. “The student advisors did an incredible job, and their hard work paid off.”

M-VETS enables Scalia Law 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.

After nearly eight years of litigation, the Antonin Scalia Law School’s Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) obtained a favorable decision from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) on June 3, 2026, granting a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) home loan guaranty benefits to a retired Virginia Army National Guard (VAANG) veteran who had been wrongly denied that benefit by the DVA.

The veteran enlisted in the VAANG, sustained a right ankle injury during initial training, and was discharged before completing his service commitment. He later applied for a COE for a DVA-backed home loan, a major financial benefit for veterans, but was denied. The DVA denied the COE because the veteran did not meet the six-year service requirement under 38 U.S.C. § 3701 and 3702, as his discharge documents did not indicate that his separation was due to a service-connected injury. Federal law provides an exception for veterans discharged for such disabilities (38 U.S.C. § 3701(b)(5)(A); 38 C.F.R. § 3.315(b)), but this was not reflected in his paperwork despite his injury being service-connected.

M-VETS filed an initial appeal on the veteran’s behalf in 2018. What followed was nearly eight years of evidence collection, brief drafting, client preparation, and persistent advocacy before the DVA and, ultimately, the BVA.  M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur explained the difficulty this created: “The DVA initially denied the COE request because the veteran did not serve for the statutorily required six years in the VAANG; however, there is an exception to this requirement if the veteran had been separated from service for a service-connected disability. While our veteran was service-connected for his injury, the discharge paperwork did not indicate that he was discharged from service for this injury, which created a challenge for our client and the Clinic.”

When the matter was scheduled for a personal appearance before the BVA in August 2024, former Student Advisor (SA) Danny Jenkins presented oral arguments and evidence on behalf of the veteran under the supervision of Director MacArthur. This hearing was the result of collective efforts, with numerous M-VETS SAs gathering evidence, preparing briefs, advising the client, and supporting case strategy over the years.

On June 3, 2026, the BVA granted the veteran’s claim in full. The Board found that the exception to the service duration requirement applied and awarded the COE.  The decision brought to a close a claim that had been pending for nearly eight years.

On the result and effort throughout the years, MacArthur provided, “Danny did a great job arguing the motion and presenting evidence during the hearing. The DVA benefits process is paternalistic, which is invaluable for allowing our students to gain practical experience in a non-adversarial setting while providing valuable pro bono services to our clients.  I want to thank our client for allowing Danny to represent him at the hearing and for the opportunity to 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 and this fantastic result.” Regarding the assistance received from M-VETS, the veteran stated, “Thank you so much for the help all this time!”

M-VETS enables Scalia Law 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.

(Pictured L-R: Yonatan Shoshan, Cole Smith, Timothy MacArthur, Dan Krupa)

Legal clinics play a crucial role in both legal education and community service by bridging the gap between academic instruction and practical legal experience. The Antonin Scalia Law School’s Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) at George Mason University is proud to announce its feature in the April 2026 issue of Virginia Lawyer. The article, titled “Virginia Veteran Clinics: Educating Law Students with Real Clients Earning Real Results,” highlights the vital work M-VETS does in providing essential legal services to veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents.

M-VETS not only assists veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents in navigating complex legal issues but also serves as a hands-on training ground for Scalia law students. As highlighted in the Virginia Lawyer article, second-semester M-VETS student advisor Dan Krupa represented and advocated for a veteran at a Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearing concerning the appeal of a Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits denial. Dan stated that “thanks to the students before him and MacArthur’s guidance, he felt fully prepared when he stood in front of the judge.” Krupa continued, “Although I was a student serving as co-counsel, I had a fiduciary duty to represent our client diligently and professionally. Professor MacArthur spent countless hours working closely with me to prepare. Serving as a 2L student advisor in M-VETS has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Unlike hypothetical classroom exercises, this Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearing had a real, tangible impact on a Vietnam-era veteran who honorably served our country and continues to live with the effects of that service.”

Through experiences such as this, student advisors gain invaluable practical skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served our country. Reflecting on his first semester in M-VETS, second-year Scalia law student Yonatan Shoshan provided, “M-VETS has been one of the most impactful experiences of my legal education. I’ve gained a better understanding of the VA appeals process and the complexities involved in benefits decisions, while also witnessing firsthand how even minor past issues can lead to long-term consequences for veterans. Through my work on VA disability claims and discharge upgrades, I have built meaningful connections with clients and developed the skills necessary to advocate effectively on their behalf. Working directly with veterans on real cases has been incredibly meaningful and has strengthened my sense of responsibility to handle each case with diligence, professionalism, and a strong commitment to achieving just outcomes.”

“Our commitment to serving veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents is at the core of what we do in M-VETS,” said M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. “We are honored to be recognized in Virginia Lawyer and to showcase the significant contributions our student advisors make in supporting the military and veteran community in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

The article can be accessed at https://vsb.org/GP/Site/news/virginia-lawyer-magazine.aspx

For more information about M-VETS and our work, please visit https://mvets.law.gmu.edu/

M-VETS offers Scalia law students practical experience addressing the legal needs of the military and veteran community. Through this clinical program, M-VETS student advisors develop legal research, client advocacy, and case management skills while actively assisting active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents with administrative, litigation, and non-litigation matters. Their responsibilities include appealing Department of Veterans Affairs disability and educational benefit denials, representing clients before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and drafting legal briefs in support of applications for military discharge upgrades and corrections to military records. As a result, M-VETS student advisors graduate with direct experience managing real cases and a deeper understanding of servicemember and veteran-related legal issues.

(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.

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) successfully argued a claim before the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) seeking a service-connected medical retirement for a Virginia Army National Guard veteran. M-VETS filed the claim on behalf of the veteran in 2023 and recently secured a medical retirement, allowing the veteran to receive access to Department of Defense retirement benefits and retain his military rank.

The veteran served honorably in the Virginia Army National Guard from 2016 to 2018. However, the veteran sustained an injury during basic training, which led to his discharge from active duty for medical treatment, potentially allowing him to return and complete the required training.  Without justification and without fault of his own, the veteran was separated from the Virginia Army National Guard because he was unable to complete the training required to remain in his military occupational specialty. This administrative discharge was in error, as the veteran should have been referred to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System due to his inability to complete military training resulting from his service-connected injury. This discharge prevented the veteran from accessing retirement benefits and did not accurately reflect his service.

“Thankfully, the veteran reached out to M-VETS for assistance, and we are glad we could correct this injustice,” M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur stated. “Unfortunately, the Virginia Army National Guard made a clear error in judgment regarding the reason for separating our veteran from service. We have been working on this matter since 2018, and, because it was a National Guard matter, we had to exhaust all our administrative remedies through the National Guard Bureau before petitioning the BCMR for relief. Our client served honorably in the Virginia Army National Guard and was injured during his service; his service records should reflect these facts. This type of request is not often granted by the BCMR, so correcting this injustice and having him receive a medical retirement was a fantastic result.”

“Thank you to the student advisors and the M-VETS team for all the work you have done on my behalf!” said the veteran.

Due to the lengthy litigation process, many M-VETS student advisors worked diligently on this issue while in the clinic. “A significant amount of hard work went into this effort, and I want to thank the M-VETS SAs who handled this matter and made this outcome possible for our veteran, ” MacArthur continued.

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 or military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards.

(Pictured L to R: M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, Student Advisors Sarah Khalife, Dan Krupa, and Jacoby Warner).

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) visited the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (“CAAF”) in Washington, D.C. on 5 November 2025. Malcolm Squires, Jr., the Clerk of the Court, gave M-VETS student advisors and staff a tour as well as a detailed history of the Court and military justice. Additionally, M-VETS was honored to meet Judge Gregory Maggs and engage in a roundtable discussion with him about the duties and responsibilities of his position, his professional background, and offer practice tips for the future attorneys in attendance.

The CAAF, located in Judiciary Square, was previously the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. However, as the Court’s case load grew, it became necessary to physically relocate the Court. The CAAF took its place in the historic building where it reviews decisions from the Courts of Criminal Appeals from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. However, the CAAF only came into existence after World War II, and previously, there was no judicial review process for court-martial convictions. The need for a review process became clear during World War II, when over one million service members were court-martialed. At that time, the process did not even require the service member to be represented by a lawyer. This meant the service members were sometimes court-martialed and even potentially facing capital punishment without the representation of an attorney. Subsequently, following World War II, the Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”) was developed, which led to the creation of the CAAF, now the highest military Court in the United States.

“We are very grateful to the CAAF staff Judge Maggs for hosting M-VETS,” M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur said. “In particular, Mr. Squires’s hospitality and extensive knowledge of the history of the Court made for a fun and engaging afternoon, and the conversation with Judge Maggs and the practical advice he was able to provide to the students in the clinic was invaluable.”

Student Advisor Jacoby Warner commented on the visit: “Our visit to CAAF was incredibly informative about the foundations of military justice and its evolution since World War II. Hearing Judge Maggs discuss his role and offer advice to us aspiring attorneys was a strong reminder that military justice is not just about statutes or procedures, but it is about ensuring that every service member is treated with dignity and fairness.”

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 medical and physical evaluation boards, 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 or military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards.

(Pictured L-R: M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, Student Advisors Jacoby Warner, Sarah Khalife, Dan Krupa)

A Student Advisor (SA) in the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) kicked off the fall semester by representing the daughter of a Servicemember during a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) hearing on September 22, 2025.

The hearing involved an appeal of an incorrect award of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for the Servicemember’s daughter while she was pursuing a higher-level college degree. M-VETS initially took on this case in 2020, and after attempting to resolve the issue by filing a supplemental claim with the DVA, the case was finally placed on the docket for a BVA hearing in 2023, with the hearing being held this fall.

Many Student Advisors in M-VETS worked on this case from 2020 to 2025. However, when a hearing date was finally set, current M-VETS SA Ms. Sarah Khalife took over the case in the summer of 2025, as the hearing approached, and spent months thoroughly preparing for it. Ms. Khalife represented the M-VETS client during the BVA hearing under the supervision of M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur.

“I am very grateful to the M-VETS clinic and Mr. MacArthur’s guidance that allowed me to represent our client before the BVA,” Ms. Khalife said. “As a second-year law student, this was my first opportunity to work hands-on with the law. This opportunity allowed me to apply my classroom knowledge and work skills from my previous career, and to humanize how the law affects real people in practice. It was an honor to help give a voice to the family of a Servicemember who has served our country for so long.”

“Sarah did a great job advocating for our client during the hearing,” MacArthur stated. “She conducted a pre-hearing informal conference with the Judge, presented an opening statement, performed a direct examination with our client, and delivered a closing argument before the BVA judge,” MacArthur stated. “I want to thank all of the SAs who worked on this matter while they were in the clinic. I would also like to thank our client for allowing Sarah to represent her during the hearing. Additionally, our client and the BVA judge permitted our other M-VETS SAs to observe the hearing, providing a valuable learning opportunity for the clinic as a whole. At an informal post-hearing conference, the Judge provided positive feedback to Sarah regarding her performance and preparation for the hearing. The Judge also provided an opportunity for a question-and-answer period for the SAs after the hearing, which was a great opportunity to speak to a member of the bench and further the learning process.”

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 medical and physical evaluation boards, 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 or military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards.

(Pictured L-R: M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, Student Advisor Tony Mancini)

The Scalia Law School’s Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) advocated for a GMU Alum and United States Air Force veteran before the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

Student Advisor (SA) Anthony (Tony) Mancini conducted the BVA hearing under the supervision of M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. The hearing involved a 2019 claim for secondary service-connection for right leg radiculopathy, which an administrative law judge heard after five years of litigation with the DVA.

M-VETS originally filed the secondary-service connection claim on behalf of the GMU alum who had injured her lower back while loading a KC-135 aircraft during Operation Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia. After her discharge from service, the veteran was service-connected for degenerative disc disease of her lumbar spine, and with the assistance of M-VETS, the DVA granted secondary service-connection for left leg radiculopathy but denied secondary service-connection for her right leg radiculopathy. As a result, M-VETS filed a brief before the BVA and requested a personal appearance to argue the matter before an administrative law judge.

Due to the lengthy litigation of this issue, many M-VETS SAs worked diligently on the matter while in the clinic. When the matter was scheduled for hearing, M-VETS SA Tony Mancini argued the service-connection claim before the BVA.

“I am deeply honored that I was able to represent our client before the BVA,” Mancini said. “This entire process has been an invaluable experience that goes far beyond anything I could have learned in a law school classroom. I am proud that I was a part of an organization that works for the people who have selflessly sacrificed more than we could imagine in the service of their country. This is as much my accomplishment as it is Mr. MacArthur’s,” Mancini continued. “Being an M-VETS SA over the past two semesters has taught me so much about the realities of the practice of law. Under Mr. MacArthur’s direction, my attention to detail, presentation, and writing skills have improved. This growth not only assisted me in representing our client before the BVA but has made me a better litigator for the future. For that, I am grateful.”

“Tony did a great job advocating for our client during the hearing,” MacArthur stated. “He conducted a pre-hearing informal conference with the Judge, presented an opening statement, performed a direct examination with our client, and delivered a closing argument. At certain points during the hearing, the Judge posed questions to Tony regarding the case and evidence presented, and Tony was able to respond to those questions and further our client’s arguments. At an informal post-hearing conference, the Judge provided positive feedback to Tony regarding his performance and preparation for the hearing, which was valuable to Tony’s development as a future attorney,” MacArthur continued.

Regarding the assistance she received from M-VETS, the GMU Alum and veteran stated, “I am truly grateful to Mr. MacArthur and Mr. Mancini for their guidance and for taking on my case. Their representation was not only exceptional, but it also reflected the most up-to-date practices of the learning-teaching environment, which gave me great confidence throughout the process. I could not have been more pleased, and I know Tony will go on to become an outstanding lawyer. This meant so much to me and my family.”

“I am incredibly grateful to our client for the patience she showed during this lengthy process. Also, for her willingness to allow our student advisors to participate in this process of representing her before the BVA. The DVA benefits process is paternalistic, which is invaluable for allowing our students to gain practical experience in a non-adversarial setting while providing valuable pro bono services to our clients,” MacArthur stated. “Also, before the hearing, our client had presented us with a challenge coin from her organization for our work on her matter, which was unexpected and a pretty awesome gesture from her, which is based on military tradition.” M-VETS continues to represent the GMU alum 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 or military records correction before the Boards for Correction of Military Records and Discharge Review Boards.

(Pictured L-R: M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur and Student Advisors Andrew West and Sarah Khalife)

The Arlington County Bar Foundation has awarded a $2,000 grant to the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. The grant is named in memory of Griffin T. “Bus” Garnett, III, a dedicated leader of the Arlington County Bar Foundation and a proud veteran, whose life exemplified a commitment to justice, public service, and the legal community of Arlington.

The funds will help support M-VETS’ operating needs, including providing Adobe software licenses to law students who serve as student advisors in the clinic. This technology is essential for securely managing and reviewing sensitive client documents. Also, the donation will help cover the cost of M-VETS membership fees in the National Law School Veterans Clinic Consortium as a founding Valor Member. This grant will ensure that the clinic continues to offer high-quality pro bono legal services to veterans, servicemembers, and their families throughout Northern Virginia.

“We are honored to receive this support from the Arlington County Bar Foundation and especially proud to carry forward the legacy of Bus Garnett,” said Timothy MacArthur, Director of M-VETS. “This grant enables our students to do the critical work of representing those who have served our country, using the tools and training necessary to protect their rights. Meeting his son Chris at the ceremony was a true honor. Chris shared that his dad served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force during his legal career, and hearing that firsthand reinforced how meaningful this grant is to our clinic, students, and the clients we serve. We are humbled to receive this grant named in his memory and will ensure it is used in the spirit of service that defined his life.”

Founded in 2004, M-VETS was the first law school clinic of its kind in the nation and continues to provide the most comprehensive veterans’ legal services of any law school in Virginia. Since its inception, M-VETS has delivered more than $5.5 million in free legal services to over four hundred clients. M-VETS assists veterans, service members, and their dependents with military/veteran/DVA administrative matters, to include disability compensation and educational benefits appeals, discharge upgrades, and Boards for Correction of Military Records matters.