Released 10/31/12 | Tags: Veteran's Benefits
VETERANS BENEFITS 101: ATTORNEYS FROM NVLSP REACH OUT TO ASSIST DISABLED VETERANS
Talk one-on-one with attorneys at Willow Tree Inn in Gaithersburg on Veterans Day November 11
Meet the attorneys at Anne Arundel Community College on November 14 at the Veterans Symposium
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 31, 2012
WASHINGTON – Many veterans suffer from disabilities that may qualify for VA compensation benefits. Unfortunately, they may not know how to apply. Many veterans and caregivers find the VA benefits system challenging to navigate or don’t know about benefits programs that disabled veterans may qualify for.
Thankfully, there’s help available - attorneys from the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) will hold a series of outreach events in the Washington, D.C. metro area to assist disabled veterans and their caregivers.
Their first outreach event, “Veteran Disability Benefits 101: Attorneys From NVLSP Share What You Should Know,” will be held on Sunday, November 11 (Veterans Day), 12:00pm-3:00pm at the Willow Tree Inn located at 19550 Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg, Md. The Gaithersburg American Legion Post #295 will hold a “stand down” for area veterans and provide hamburgers and hot dogs at the event. Television sets showing the afternoon football games will be available.
A second outreach event, “Veteran Disability Benefits 101: Attorneys From NVLSP Share What You Should Know,” will be held on Wednesday, November 14 at Anne Arundel Community College from 6:00pm-9:00pm, where NVLSP will participate in the Veterans Symposium organized by the Anne Arundel County Veterans Affairs Commission. The college is located at 101 College Parkway in Arnold, Md. In addition, many nonprofit organizations assisting veterans will attend and be available to talk with veterans.
More than 84,000 veterans in the Washington, DC area may qualify for disability benefits. 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.
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 through the Department of Veterans Affairs and how to apply for them. The attorneys will deliver a 45-minute presentation and then talk with attendees one-on-one.
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 may qualify them for benefits through the VA.
The focus of the attorneys’ presentations will be on helping veterans file a VA claim for disability benefits. Key information disabled veterans, their survivors and caregivers should know will be shared. Tips and strategies for filing a successful claim will be shared.
The attorneys delivering the information sessions are seasoned advocates for veterans with the VA and help veterans press successful cases for VA benefits claims. They are experts in understanding the benefits available and how to apply, and are part of the legal team that annually writes and updates the nation’s definitive legal guide to veteran’s benefits, The Veteran’s Benefits Manual.
Attorneys participating in the outreach events include Ron Abrams (Gaithersburg), Louis George (Anne Arundel) and Maria Tripplaar (Anne Arundel).
As co-executive director of NVLSP, Abrams has conducted hundreds of training sessions for veteran’s service organizations and advocates, including the American Legion, the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and many state and county department of veterans affairs.
Louis George is a senior attorney with NVLSP. He represents veterans and dependents before 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.
Maria Tripplaar joined NVLSP as a staff attorney in 2010, where 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.
Thanks to a generous grant provided by the Graham Fund, NVLSP will hold 3-5 outreach sessions in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 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, 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.
###