Released 7/15/13 | Tags: Veteran's Benefits
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 15, 2013
WASHINGTON - Many veterans would benefit if they were able to talk to attorneys who have expertise in veterans law. Attorneys from the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) are holding a series of outreach events in the Washington, D.C. metro area to assist disabled veterans. The goal of these outreach events is to identify disability benefits to which the veteran may be entitled and to help the veteran get his or her claim started.
The next NVLSP outreach event will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. The event will be held at Cheverly American Legion Post 108 located at 3608 Legion Drive in Cheverly, Md.
The attorneys will deliver a short presentation and then conduct a Q & A session on VA benefits. Time will be reserved so that attendees can discuss their potential claims one-on-one with an attorney. Topics that will be covered include: post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and Agent Orange related illnesses.
The goal of the information sessions is to help disabled veterans, spouses of veterans, caregivers for disabled veterans, and survivors of deceased veterans understand the disability benefits available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs and how to apply for these benefits. Tips and strategies for filing a successful VA claim for disability benefits will be offered.
All veterans of any era are welcome to attend. Veterans, caregivers or survivors with VA claims currently pending may also find the information session helpful. Public officials and representatives of organizations that interact with veterans are also welcome to attend.
NVLSP trains American Legion service officers and works closely with The Legion in other areas.
NVLSP attorneys participating in this outreach event will include Louis George and Maria Tripplaar.
Louis J. George is a senior staff attorney with NVLSP. He is also the Director of Outreach and Education for the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program. He represents veterans and dependents before the regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and other federal courts. He also trains and provides mentoring services to attorneys participating in the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, mentors attorneys participating in NVLSP’s Volunteer Lawyer and Lawyers Serving Warriors® Programs and trains service officers. He is also the editor of NVLSP’s law and advocacy journal, The Veterans Advocate.
Maria C. Tripplaar joined NVLSP as a staff attorney in 2010, and is a member of the Maryland State Bar. She administers the day-to-day operations of the NVLSP Volunteer Lawyer Program, a partnership between NVLSP, associated veterans service organizations, and law firms who represent claimants before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). Ms. Tripplaar mentors volunteer attorneys who represent veterans in the Volunteer Lawyer Program, trains lawyers and non-lawyers to advocate for veterans before the VA and trains service officers. In addition, she represents veterans before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, as well as in front of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
According to the VA, more than 13% of all US veterans are suffering from physical or mental disabilities sustained during their military service. The Washington area has the fifth largest concentration of military veterans in the United States, with almost 650,000 veterans living here.
As World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf War era veterans age and injuries they incurred serving their country become more pronounced, they may not realize they qualify for disability benefits. Even Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans recently discharged or separated from military service, may not realize their disabilities can qualify them for benefits through the VA.
Thanks to a generous grant provided by the Phillip L. Graham Fund, NVLSP is holding outreach sessions in the Washington, D.C. area to help veterans and their caregivers understand the VA benefits they might be entitled to. If you would like to inquire about scheduling and hosting a public information session for veterans with NVLSP attorneys, please contact ami@steppingstonellc.com.
PRESS/MEDIA INTERVIEW REQUESTS
Press and media interview requests should be directed to Ami Neiberger-Miller, 703-887-4877, ami@steppingstoneLLC.com.
ABOUT NVLSP
The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) is an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1980. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 22 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the federal benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVSLP offers training for attorneys and other advocates, connects veterans and active duty personnel with pro bono legal help when seeking disability benefits, publishes the nation's definitive guide on veteran benefits, and represents and litigates for veterans and their families before the VA, military discharge review agencies and federal courts. For more information go to www.nvlsp.org.
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