Legal Rights & Assistance

Information on legal services, appeal rights and laws that protect the rights of Veterans, Service Members, family members and caregivers.

American Bar Association Commission on Mental & Physical Disability Law

Legal services to Service Members and families through a network of state and local bar associations.
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American Bar Association Directory of Legal Help

State-by-state listing of paid and pro bono referral services, legal information and how to hire and use a lawyer.
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Caring Connections

Offers community support that improves care at the end of life. Services include information about living wills, health care proxies, planning tools and other resources. Free state-specific living will and health care power of attorney can be downloaded.

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Citizens for Veterans Rights

Helps Veterans receive the medical care and benefits they deserve during their stay at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and by extension, at any VA facility. Support includes working to prevent VA neglect of Veterans and their families.
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Coast Guard - Office of the Judge Advocate General

Delivers legal advice and support to the people who carry out the varied functions of the Coast Guard to ensure their missions, operations and activities can be achieved within the law.
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Data Theft Litigation - Payment Recovery Process

The Data Theft Class Action Settlement includes all veterans, spouses of veterans, and military personnel who had actual damages during the Recovery Period that were directly related to the theft of computer equipment which was reported to contain personal information from the home of a VA employee on May 3, 2006. There are important deadlines for submitting claims.

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DoD/VA Disability Evaluation System (DES) Pilot Process

Provides legal counsel to assist soldiers throughout the DoD/VA DES Pilot process at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda and Malcolm Grow Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base.
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Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve

DoD network of volunteer ombudsmen trained on Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and dispute resolution techniques that help resolve issues between employers and their employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.
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Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Information about a federal law that guarantees unpaid leave from work to individuals with serious health conditions and to certain family members who care for them.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy

Provides information on bankruptcy, including what it is, the different kinds of bankruptcy, qualifying for bankruptcy, bankruptcy procedures and process, and bankruptcy and your future relationship with credit.
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Handbook for Injured Service Members & Their Families

Handbook published by the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund that outlines benefits, rights and resources available to Service Members and their families to help with financial, medical, educational, employment, legal and other needs.

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Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

Provides information for employers on workplace accommodations solutions, technical assistance regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other information regarding employment of people with disabilities.
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Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (LAMP)

Downloadable guides regarding legal issues pertaining to military personnel. Provides legal services to Service Members and families through state and local Bar Associations.
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Legal Services During the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) & Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) Processes

Legal counsel, information and advocacy for Army soldiers during the MEB and PEB processes.
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Legal Sevices - Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)

PVA attorneys litigate on behalf of members and other Veterans to assist them in obtaining benefits.
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List of Credit Counseling Agencies -- Bankruptcy

Provides a list of approved credit counseling agencies by state and judicial district.
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Military HOMEFRONT Legal Assistance Program

Attorneys assist with personal legal matters and provide legal advice to ensure that Service Members, families and retirees are prepared and protected per their legal rights.
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National Association of Counties (NACO)

Works to improve the public's understanding of county government and assists counties in finding and sharing innovative solutions. Features include changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the housing stimulus package.
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National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO)

Works with the VA and other Veterans organizations to assure that Veterans and their dependents receive the entitlements they deserve.
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National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)

Non-profit organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the US.
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National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) - Lawyers Serving Warriors Project

Trains, coordinates and mentors volunteer attorneys nationwide to assist Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation Enduring Freedom active duty and Veterans with disability discharge issues or obtaining VA benefits.
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Next Of Kin Registry (NOKR)

An emergency contact system to help if you or your family member is missing, injured or deceased.
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President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded

Lists hearings, legislation and news from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs on legislative activities being taken to provide care to returning Veterans.
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Protection & Advocacy Services Directory

Choose your state from the drop-down menu on this Web page to find contact information for your state protection and advocacy agency (P&A). P&As are federally mandated non-profit organizations that provide individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness free assistance in making sure their rights to education, employment opportunities and other services are not violated.
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Safeguarding the Rights of Service Members & Veterans

The Department of Justice, in partnership with other federal agencies, is committed to supporting you by enforcing the federal laws that protect your civil rights. Learn more about your civilian employment and other rights.

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Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

Offers a variety of provisions to help Active Duty personnel meet their legal and financial obligations. But relief under the SCRA is not always automatic. You must affirmatively invoke or request relief. Work with your nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Office to identify and invoke any SCRA protections that apply to your particular circumstances.

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So You Want to Go Back to School

Provides information for wounded warriors on their rights as students with disabilities, including protections from discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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The American Veterans & Service Members Survival Guide

Provides invaluable information on how to navigate the bureaucracy of benefits and programs available to Active Duty military, National Guard, Reservists, Veterans and their family members. This free 599-page guide covers issues from educational help to vocational rehabilitation, from housing to citizenship.
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U.S. Armed Forces Active Duty Legal Assistance

Online locator finds the nearest military legal assistance office.
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U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps

Information portal, sponsored by the U.S. Army JAG Corps to inform military members on personal legal affairs and preventive law. Use this site as part of your personal legal preparedness.
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U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

National court of record with exclusive jurisdiction to provide judicial review of final decisions by the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Provides Veterans an impartial judicial forum for review of decisions that are adverse to claims of entitlement to benefits and ensures that all Veterans have equal access to the Court. How to appeal with or without representation.

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U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps

Embraces all aspects of the Department of the Navy activities, and is grounded in both law and regulation.
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Understanding Military Legal Matters

Covers legal rights, entitlements, restrictions and benefits including financial and legal protection regarding mobilization and deployment and assistance with personal legal matters.
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Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)

Federal law provides reemployment rights for Veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve following qualifying military service. Prohibits employer discrimination based on past military service, current military obligations or intent to join one of the uniformed services.
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VA Form 21-22

Form requesting a representative from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) to represent you when you apply for VA benefits.

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Veterans' Preference

Information on laws that entitle Veterans to hiring and retention preferences over others for federal government positions.
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Worklife Institute - OEF/OIF Reentry & Worklife Transition Program

Provides Service Members, Veterans and their families with family and personal counseling, career transition, work orientation and legal services. Free of charge to Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans and families.
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  • The White House
  • USA.gov: The U.S. government's official web portal.

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