By law, the process by which veterans obtain service-connected disability benefits from the US Department of Veterans Affairs is supposed to be non-adversarial. As we all know, it is anything but non-adversarial.
In an effort to help veterans, the American Bar Association has implemented a program called the Veterans Claims Assistance Network (VCAN). Through this program, attorneys will receive training from the ABA and its partners that will enable them to become accredited by the VA. Once accredited, attorneys may represent veterans in administrative proceedings pending before VA, including with respect to service-connected disability claims. Additionally, accreditation will qualify attorneys to provide pro bono assistance to veterans seeking service-connected disability benefits through the VCAN program.
This is a great initiative by the ABA, and a wonderful way for attorneys to support those who have sacrificed so much for this nation.