Released 12/6/24 | Tags:
NVLSP Releases Its 2024-2025 Veterans Benefits Manual
For Immediate Release: December 6, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA – The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) proudly announces the release of the 2024-2025 edition of its renowned Veterans Benefits Manual. This latest edition has been meticulously updated to reflect critical changes in veterans law and includes new advocacy strategies to better assist veterans and their representatives.
“The 2024-2025 Veterans Benefits Manual is an essential resource for all advocates working on behalf of veterans,” said NVLSP Executive Director Paul Wright. “We’re committed to providing analysis of the latest legal developments and practical advice for navigating the complex landscape of veterans benefits.”
This year's edition features vital updates, including:
• An updated section explaining the circumstances under which a veteran can force the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) to review determinations made by the Veterans Health Administration (Section 10.4);
• News about the currently pending Supreme Court case that could lead the CAVC to reverse more Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions denying benefits (Sections 5.1.4.2 and 15.3.3.1);
• An overview of the recent changes to the VA’s Rating Schedule for Digestive System Disabilities (5.1.5.3, 5.1.5.8, 5.7.1.2), including the criteria for evaluating hepatitis (5.2.5):
• Discussion of the 2024 Supreme Court decision that expands a veteran’s entitlement to post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits (Section 11.1.3);
• An overview of the 2024 changes to the VA’s character of discharge rules, which govern whether a veteran issued a discharge under other than honorable conditions is eligible for VA benefits (Section 2.2.3);
• Review of the special procedures and guidance issued by the VA for evaluating claims based on traumatic brain injury (TBI) (Section 3.7.3);
• A new section (5.2.13) containing guidance and advocacy tips for ensuring the VA properly evaluates Parkinson’s disease; and
• Advocacy tips on choosing between the Discharge Review Board (DRB) and the Board for Correction of Military Records (BCMR) when a veteran could apply to either board. (Section 21.2.3).
Since its first publication in 1991, the Veterans Benefits Manual has served as the definitive guide for veterans’ advocates. The 2024-2025 edition continues to offer detailed explanations of veterans law, practical advocacy tips, and important updates that equip advocates with the tools to secure the benefits their clients deserve.
The editors of the 2024-2025 edition are NVLSP Co-Founder and Special Counsel Barton F. Stichman, Director of Training and Publications Richard V. Spataro, Director of Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Litigation Stacy A. Tromble, Director of NVLSP’s Lawyers Serving Warriors® pro bono program Rochelle Bobroff, former Joint Executive Director Ronald B. Abrams, Special Counsel Louis J. George, and Special Counsel Christine Cote Hill.
To order a printed or eBook version of the 2024-2025 Veterans Benefits Manual, visit the Veterans Benefits Manual webpage.
About the National Veterans Legal Services Program (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 1981. NVLSP strives to ensure that our nation honors its commitment to its 18 million veterans and active duty personnel by ensuring they have the benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVLSP has represented veterans in lawsuits that compelled enforcement of the law where the VA or other military services denied benefits to veterans in violation of the law. NVLSP’s success in these lawsuits has resulted in more than $5.6 billion dollars being awarded in disability, death and medical benefits to hundreds of thousands of veterans and their survivors. NVLSP 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.
Media contact:
Patty Briotta, office 202-621-5698, patty@nvlsp.org