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Justice for Warriors Newsletter
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It's hard to believe another year has passed. NVLSP is extremely proud of what we have accomplished in 2019 on behalf of our veterans, service members, and their families. Each year we make progress towards our mission to ensure that every veteran receives the disability benefits they are owed by law. Thank you for your continued interest in the work of NVLSP. It is because of friends and advocates like you that our work on behalf of America's veterans and service members remains strong and purposeful. We wish you and your family a happy holiday season.
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600
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Filed approximately 600 appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). NVLSP averaged over a 90% win-rate at the Court.
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2,800
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Over 2,800 attorneys, service officers, and advocates have participated in one of 30 webinars and 14 in-person trainings held in 2019.
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400
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Placed over 400 cases of veterans and service members with Lawyers Serving Warriors® volunteer attorneys across the country.
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190
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With our pro bono partners, provided brief, service, and advice to over 190 service members and veterans in 12 Lawyers Serving Warriors® clinics in California, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
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$5,300,000
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In 2018-2019, NVLSP forced VA to pay more than $5.3 million in retroactive benefits to 184 survivors of deceased Vietnam veterans who suffered from diseases that VA conceded were the result of their exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. |
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Precedential Victories...
NVLSP and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) have made history. In two landmark cases, the CAVC certified two of NVLSP's class actions.
In September 2019, the Court certified Wolfe v. Wilkie as a class action on behalf of tens of thousands of veterans and ruled that VA's 2018 reimbursement regulation violates the Emergency Care Fairness Act of 2010 that requires VA to reimburse veterans for the emergency medical expenses they incur at non-VA facilities that are not covered by the veteran's private insurance. Read More
In June 2019, NVLSP convinced the Veterans Court to certify its first class action in the Court's 30-year history. In Godsey v. Wilkie, the Veterans Court certified a class action on behalf of thousands of VA benefits claimants whose appeals to VA's highest tribunal, the Board of Veterans' Appeals, were delayed for years at the VA's regional offices without moving their appeals forward to the Board. The Veterans Court ruled that the VA delays were egregious and unreasonable and ordered the VA to transfer the appeals of all class members to the Board within 120 days. Read More
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Just Released!
2019-2020 Edition of the Veterans Benefits Manual
The 2019-2020 edition has been thoroughly updated to include important developments in veterans law over the past year.
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Upcoming NVLSP Webinar Trainings
NVLSP continues its dedication to veteran law education by growing its webinar schedule in an effort to educate more attorneys and veterans advocates on strategies for securing disability benefits for their clients. During December 2019, experienced NVLSP attorneys will lead
discussions on the following topic:
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STAFF SPOTLIGHT:
L. Michael Marquet
L. Michael Marquet is the Case Management Attorney in NVLSP's Litigation Department. The Litigation team provides individual representation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC). Michael began his legal career with NVLSP and has been at the organization for two years.
Michael's role involves him in all aspects of case management and litigation, including talking to veterans who wish to appeal their Board decisions, coordinating work with a great team of law clerks, and litigating a few cases of his own.
Michael also works closely with management to streamline systems and processes to better serve Veterans and their families. He is particularly proud of his contributions to helping design and implement a new case management system.
Michael's interest in veterans law stems from his strong family ties to the military. His father is a veteran, and his brother is active duty in the Navy at the moment.
Michael completed his law degree at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He is a college football enthusiast, enjoys hiking in the Shenandoah, and floating on the Potomac. Michael's also working on his (not very good) charcoal portrait skills.
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NVLSP's Eleventh Annual Benefit Reception
On November 21, 2019, NVLSP hosted its Eleventh Annual Benefit Reception at The
Mayflower Hotel in downtown Washington, DC.
The event was an opportunity to honor those who have made enormous contributions to improving the lives of our veterans and their families. The event attracted over 250 corporate, legal, government, and philanthropic leaders, as well as veterans and service members, and members of the press.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, guests, and honorees. Your support allows us to continue our work to ensure that our nations veterans and service members receive the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.
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Ways You Can Help
We hope this newsletter inspires you to become more active with NVLSP.
If you want to help NVLSP do more for our veterans, here are a few suggestions.
- You can follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
- Help us promote our free App for veterans.
- Tell a friend about NVLSP.
We look forward to connecting with you again soon!
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