1. Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association Summer Conference1
Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association Summer Conference
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

2. 2
CREDO
We believe our Veterans in need —our Nation’s defenders— deserve the benefits and compensation they were promised, and the best legal services free of charge, to meet their challenges.
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

3. A Year-in-the-Life of PBP3
Field approximately 15,000 phone calls
Receive > 27,000 website users (74% new visitors); growing
Assist about 3,000 veterans and their loved ones
Process 500 to 600 applications for pro bono representation
Train 200 to 250 new TVC Volunteer Corps attorneys and related professionals nationwide
Deliver about $7 million in pro bono services yearly from the TVC volunteer corps (~ $93.5 million since Oct 1992)
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

4. Core Pro Bono Program Services4
Pursuant to P.L , provide competent pro bono representation worldwide to every veteran in need and their qualifying families, caregivers, or survivors at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC)
Conduct outreach to Veterans and their loved ones
Recruit and train volunteer attorneys in veterans law and CAVC procedures
Carefully match clients with pro bono representatives
Provide advice and support to attorneys and clients
Facilitate veterans law studies in general, and pro bono service in particular, within law school clinical programs
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

5. Our Track Record (24 Years)5
Supreme Court 2
Federal Circuit
~95
4,441 cases
represented;
82% win rate
(lifetime!)
3,620
WON
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
821
Lost
Not Accepted = 6,393
(no jurisdiction, ineligible, no issues of merit)
~150
Active Cases
205
Client
Declined
11,184 cases screened from FY93 - FY16
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

6. Additional Program Services6
Assist pro se appellants through a Pro Bono Program (PBP) legal information Helpline service
Enable and enhance post-remand service by pro bono representatives, at the VA
Arrange pro bono and “low bono” medical reviews for post-remand cases, continuing at the VA
Refer veterans to local pro bono resources for local legal issues (e.g., landlord-tenant disputes, child custody, etc.)
Lead by example, with dynamic in-house pro bono efforts by the staff from The Veterans Consortium (TVC), including discharge upgrades for PTSD/TBI-related cases
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

7. Quality: Our Track Record7
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

8. How We Can Help You, Help Veterans8
How We Can Help You, Help Veterans
Procedural Progression of an Appealed Claim to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC):
Regional Office Decision
Notice of Appeal (NOA)
You can appeal an unfavorable BVA decision (denial) to the Court through a Notice of Appeal, and The Veterans Consortium can help. Once a BVA decision is issued the Veteran only has 120 days to file their Notice of Appeal. Our new online application tool is available to Veterans and Service Officers to promptly file an appeal of a BVA decision to the CAVC. If you’re not sure whether to appeal, call us/ us the BVA decision and we will review it.
Appeal:
Notice of Disagreement (NOD)
Statement of the Case (SOC)
Substantive Appeal (Form 9)
Board of Veterans Appeals Decision
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

9. New Website New tools for Veterans, Service Officers, and Volunteers9
New tools for Veterans, Service Officers, and Volunteers
More robust and secure
Significant platform investments by Microsoft and LSC
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

10. New Web Application for Support10
Veteran or Service Officer can use
Fill out contact information
Answer a few appeal questions
Sends e-signature appeals forms to TVC
TVC reviews & can submit to the CAVC
Digitally requests a pro bono attorney
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

11. 11
Application
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The preliminary information page allows for Veterans to appeal their case and also request The Veterans Consortium’s services.
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

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After addressing basic information such as name and date of birth, the Veteran can request a waiver of the $50.00 filing fee based on financial hardship.
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

14. 14
The “ & Comments” section of the application allows for Service Officers to leave any comments related to the case for TVC to review when we receive the application.
Backup Slides
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

15. E-signature is available!15
E-signature is available!
When you request to e-sign your application forms, you will add your address and an will be sent with a link to the forms.
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

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How to E-Sign
Once you open the link you will click agree and continue:
The e-signature tool will ask you to “adopt your signature” and sign:
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

17. Myth-Buster Quiz: True or False?17
After the initial signature box, the e-signature will only require one click on the “sign” tabs listed in the documents.
You’re done!
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

18. Myth-Buster Quiz: True or False?18
Pro bono means “free” except when my Veteran pays 20% after the court win = FALSE (free means free, unlike others)
My claim is too small = FALSE (no issue of merit is too small)
Pro bono means you have to be turned down first by a for- pay private lawyer = FALSE (pure scuttlebutt)
We can’t refer for legal services = FALSE (Congressional program operated by a charity; you’re not referring to a specific lawyer or law firm)
It’s too hard to win in federal court = FALSE (we have a > 80% lifetime win rate in federal court; plenty of pro bono lawyers)
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017

19. Judy Donegan Staff Attorney (202) 733-3325 (Direct)19
Judy Donegan
Staff Attorney
(202) (Direct)
#vetsprobono
© The Veterans Consortium 2017