DIRECTOR’S GREETING:
Marking its 21st anniversary in 2025, the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (“M-VETS”) continued its vital mission of providing pro bono legal assistance to veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families. This year, M-VETS achieved several significant case victories, including securing a service-connected medical retirement for a Virginia Army National Guard veteran and delivering strong student advocacy at multiple Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) hearings. M-VETS student advisors also contributed insightful blog posts on topics ranging from educational benefits and school transitions for military families to veterans’ treatment courts and protections under the Military Lending Act. We appreciate the support of our sponsors and community partners, including the Virginia Law Foundation and the Arlington County Bar Foundation. We also give a heartfelt thank you to our student advisors and administrative support staff for their continued support of the M-VETS mission. Thank you to all the students, alumni, colleagues, supporters, and the entire military and veteran community for supporting our mission to care for and assist veterans while teaching Scalia law school students!
MILESTONES:
Since its inception in 2004, M-VETS has represented hundreds of clients in a wide variety of legal matters and provided the equivalent of over $6.5 million in pro bono legal services. In 2025, M-VETS continued to offer free legal representation to veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families while allowing law students to gain practical legal experience under the supervision of licensed attorneys. M-VETS provides representation in a variety of matters, including matters before the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) administration and various administrative boards, such as discharge upgrades, record corrections, military pay and entitlement matters, and DVA disability benefit appeals.
M-VETS TURNS 21 AND CONTINUES ITS MISSION OF PROVIDING PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS, SERVICEMEMBERS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS:
Established in 2004 in the wake of 9/11, M-VETS was created to address the urgent legal needs of deployed servicemembers and their families. What began with pro bono help for a George Mason law student’s family in a landlord-tenant dispute quickly became the nation’s first law school clinic of its kind dedicated to veterans and servicemembers. Located at the Antonin Scalia Law School, just minutes from the Pentagon and near major military installations, M-VETS embodies the law school’s strong commitment to those who serve.
At Scalia Law, M-VETS empowers law students by blending rigorous academic instruction with personalized mentorship from the clinic’s supervising attorney. Under this close guidance, student advisors develop essential practical skills while delivering meaningful pro bono legal services to veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families. Over the years, the clinic has become particularly skilled in assisting veterans who received less-than-honorable discharges due to mitigating circumstances, personal challenges, or undiagnosed mental health conditions at the time of separation. Through advocacy for discharge upgrades and military record corrections before Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military Records, M-VETS helps remove long-standing stigmas and restore access to earned veterans’ benefits. Since its founding, student advisors have assisted hundreds of clients from all branches of the armed forces. These services are available regardless of the client’s state of residence. The clinic relies on the generous support of private donors, foundations, and community partners to sustain this vital work.
CASE VICTORY HIGHLIGHTS:
In 2025, M-VETS achieved remarkable successes that transformed the lives of veterans and their families, including securing critical retirement benefits and strong advocacy at Board of Veterans’ Appeals hearings. Detailed accounts of these victories are highlighted below, reflecting the clinic’s dedication to advocating for the military and veteran community.
M-VETS Student Advisor Represents Father of Scalia Law Graduate at Board of Veterans’ Appeals Hearing[1]
In December 2025, M-VETS Student Advisor Daniel Krupa represented a Vietnam Era Air Force veteran, and the father of a Scalia Law graduate and former M-VETS student advisor, at a BVA hearing. The appeal sought service-connection for coronary artery disease presumptively linked to Agent Orange exposure through handling ammunition originating from Vietnam. Dan served as co-counsel under the supervision of Director Timothy MacArthur, conducting the pre-hearing conference, opening statement, direct examination, and closing argument. “Dan did an outstanding job advocating for our client during the hearing, which he handled like a professional,” MacArthur stated. M-VETS continues to represent the veteran while awaiting the BVA decision.
Regarding the experience, Krupa provided, “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. 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.”
M-VETS Prevails and Secures a Medical Retirement for a Virginia Army National Guard Veteran[2]
M-VETS successfully argued before the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) to secure a service-connected medical retirement for a Virginia Army National Guard veteran who served honorably from 2016 to 2018. The veteran sustained an injury during basic training and was improperly separated instead of being referred to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. The successful correction allows the veteran to receive Department of Defense retirement benefits and retain his military rank. “Thank you to the student advisors and the M-VETS team for all the work you have done on my behalf!” said the veteran.
“Thankfully, the veteran reached out to M-VETS for assistance, and we are glad we could correct this injustice,” said M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. “This type of request is not often granted by the BCMR, so correcting this injustice and securing a medical retirement was a fantastic result.” Many student advisors contributed demanding work over the years to achieve this outcome, and their hard work led to an incredible outcome.
M-VETS Student Advisor Represents Servicemember’s Daughter at a Board of Veterans’ Appeals Hearing[3]
In September 2025, M-VETS Student Advisor Sarah Khalife represented the daughter of a servicemember at a BVA hearing regarding an incorrect award of Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits for graduate studies. The case, originally taken on in 2020, reached a hearing after years of effort. Sarah conducted the pre-hearing conference, opening statement, direct examination, and closing argument under the supervision of Director 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 Student Advisor Advocates for Mason Alum and Veteran at Board of Veterans’ Appeals Hearing[4]
The summer 2025 semester got off to a great start for M-VETS as Student Advisor Anthony (Tony) Mancini conducted a June 18, 2025, BVA hearing under the supervision of M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur. The hearing involved a 2019 claim for secondary service-connection for right leg radiculopathy, which was finally heard after five (5) years of litigation with the DVA.
Due to the lengthy litigation of this issue, many M-VETS SAs worked diligently on it 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 the Veteran in front of the BVA,” Mancini said. “This entire process has been an invaluable real-world 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 possibly 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 (2) 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 the Veteran before the BVA, but has also made me a better future litigator. For that, I am grateful.”
M-VETS Student Advisor Advocates on Behalf of a Combat Veteran at Board of Veterans’ Appeals Hearing[5]
The Scalia Law School’s Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic advocated for a combat veteran before an administrative law judge at a hearing before the Department of Veterans Affairs Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The hearing occurred on May 12, 2025.
The hearing involved a 2016 claim for an increased rating for a service-connected disability that was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan. This injury led to the veteran’s medical separation from the Army. The clinic filed a motion in 2019 with the DVA alleging a Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE), which carries the highest burden of proof within the DVA system.
Due to the lengthy litigation of this issue, many M-VETS Student Advisors worked diligently on behalf of our client while in the clinic. However, when the matter was scheduled for a hearing, M-VETS Student Advisor Samantha Hargis conducted it under the supervision of M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur.
“Working on this matter for our client was an incredible opportunity. I am deeply grateful to the student advisors who came before me and laid a solid foundation for our argument at the hearing, our client for his commitment and collaboration throughout the process, and my supervising attorney for his invaluable guidance and support,” Hargis said.
“Ms. Hargis did a phenomenal job arguing the motion and presenting evidence during the hearing,” MacArthur commented. “Our client was able to attend the virtual hearing with us, which was held in our classroom at the law school. Sam conducted a pre-hearing conference with the Judge, delivered an opening statement, conducted a direct examination of our client, and delivered an impactful closing, effectively arguing our position.” MacArthur continued, “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 would like to thank Mr. MacArthur and Ms. Hargis for the work they did in my case. They put their heart, time, and soul into developing my defense, and I couldn’t have asked for a better legal team. Without M-VETS, combat veterans like me wouldn’t have a voice,” stated Mr. Fahlman.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
M-VETS Visits the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces[1]
On November 5, 2025, M-VETS students and staff visited the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. Clerk Malcolm Squires, Jr. provided a tour and history of the Court, and the group met Judge Gregory Maggs for a roundtable discussion on military justice and practical advice for future attorneys. “We are very grateful to the CAAF staff and Judge Maggs for hosting M-VETS,” said Director Timothy MacArthur. Student Advisor Jacoby Warner noted the visit was “incredibly informative about the foundations of military justice.”
Arlington County Bar Foundation Donates $2,000 to Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic in Memory of Griffin T. “Bus” Garnett III[2]
The Arlington County Bar Foundation awarded a $2,000 grant to the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic 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 have this grant named in his memory and will ensure it is used in the spirit of service that defined his life,” MacArthur continued.
STUDENT BLOG HIGHLIGHT:
M-VETS student advisors contributed meaningfully to the veteran community in 2025 through a series of insightful blog posts that offered practical guidance, raised awareness, and analyzed key legal and policy issues affecting service members, veterans, and their families. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and the critical information they shared.
A standout contribution was “Rudisill Ruling: How Some Veterans Can Now Unlock 48 Months of 9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits” by Fall 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Daniel Krupa (September 17, 2025). This post examined the Supreme Court’s decision expanding combined Montgomery GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to 48 months for qualifying veterans and provided actionable steps for veterans to pursue these benefits.
Other notable 2025 student blog posts included:
- “New Orders, New School: A Military Family’s Guide to Virginia Public Schools” by Fall 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor (November 14, 2025)
- “Preparing for a BVA Hearing: A Step-by-Step Guide for M-VETS SAs” by Summer 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Anthony Mancini (August 18, 2025)
- “Pro Bono Victory at the Supreme Court: How NVLSP Secured Justice for 9,000 Combat-Disabled Veterans” by Summer 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Andrew West (August 11, 2025)
- “Moving Forward: Veterans Discharged on the Basis of Gender Dysphoria” by Spring 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Alexandria Ryan (May 15, 2025)
- “Hurry Up and Wait: How the VA’s Mass Firings May Stall Justice for Veterans” by Spring 2025 M-VETS Student Advisor Samantha Hargis (May 14, 2025)
- “Justice for Those Who Served: The Role of Veterans Treatment Courts in Recovery and Reintegration” by Fall 2024 M-VETS Student Advisor Curtis Power (January 22, 2025)
- “Understanding Your Rights: Active-Duty Service Members Must Know Their Rights to Claim Protection Under the Military Lending Act” by Summer 2024 M-VETS Student Advisor Brian Tarno (August 21, 2024 – carried into 2025 review)