NATIONAL VETERANS LEGAL SERVICES

Class actions (formerly impact litigation):nvlsp brings class actions and other law reform litigation to benefit large numbers of veterans and their families. By compelling the va and military departments to bring their regulations and practices into compliance with applicable federal laws, one case can help thousands of veterans obtain the federal benefits they are due. In 2024, nvlsp's docket included nine certified or putative class actions against the va or military branches. As part of nvlsp's work on its longest-running class action, nehmer v. Dep't of veterans' affairs (n.d. Cal no. 86-6160), nvlsp succeeded in forcing the va to pay millions of dollars in retroactive benefits to survivors of deceased vietnam veterans who suffered from diseases that were the result of exposure to agent orange. Other class actions have resulted in hundreds of thousands of veterans and their caregivers gaining access to judicial review of unfavorable decisions related to caregiving stipends; va expanding access to in vitro fertilization medical care; and the department of the navy re-adjudicating thousands of sailors' medical separations who may be entitled to medical retirement pay. Nvlsp also engaged in other impact litigation, including litigation relating to a rulemaking petition and various requests for records under the freedom of information act. Nvlsp continued to represent veterans through its burn pit claims assistance project, in which nvlsp represents veterans before the va in their claims for disability compensation for diseases related to exposure to toxic chemicals spewed by open-air burn pits used by the military to dispose of waste in southwest asia. In september 2024, nvlsp launched its family caregiver assistance program, dedicated to helping veterans and family caregivers access the va's program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers (pcafc) and representing them in appeals from of pcafc denials.

Publications and training:nvlsp trains and mentors lawyer and non-lawyer advocates who represent veterans, service members, and their family members on a pro bono basis on claims for va and military benefits. Nvlsp acts as a force multiplier, providing in-person and webinar training. Nvlsp's webinar and in-person training programs educate veterans service officers, attorneys, and claims agents about the latest court decisions and best practices in veterans law. Our trainers share their knowledge and expertise with a broad audience, helping to expand our advocacy network. Topics in 2024 included: recent court decisions advocates need to know about; effective communication to build better va claims, va benefits for gulf war illness and diseases caused by burn pits, non-service-connected disability pension, understanding the va's rating of traumatic brain injury, changes to va's character of discharge regulation, understanding changes to va's rating of digestive system disabilities, and total disability ratings based on individual unemployability. Nvlsp also administers a basic training course in veterans benefits, an online course designed to provide advocates new to veterans law with a working understanding of how to successfully navigate the va benefits system. Nvlsp created the va benefit identifier app to help veterans and advocates determine the va benefits to which a veteran is likely entitled; the app is available in english and spanish. Nvlsp also publishes educational advocacy materials that empower advocates for veterans and service members. Since 1991, we have authored the veterans benefits manual, the comprehensive treatise on veterans law. Nvlsp updates and revises the veterans benefits manual annually.