For many veterans who have sacrificed for their country, the promise of healthcare, disability benefits, and other vital services from the Veterans Administration (“VA”) is a critical part of their post-service life. However, countless veterans face unjust denials of benefits despite meeting the qualifications for care or compensation. These denials often result from bureaucratic errors, misapplication of regulations, or insufficient consideration of veterans’ service-related conditions. The consequences can be devastating, leaving veterans without the support they deserve and forcing them to navigate a complex and often overwhelming appeals process on their own. Pro bono attorneys can help veterans challenge wrongful denials, ensure their claims are fairly reviewed, and secure the healthcare and compensation they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Benefits from the VA are designed to help veterans live healthier, safer, and more stable lives after their service. However, the VA system can be confusing and frustrating, and veterans are often denied benefits they deserve. For example, one of our clients served in the U.S. Army as a public health nurse for 18 years, including tours in war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Her service caused her to develop serious and debilitating medical conditions. After the VA denied her claim for benefits and the Board of Veterans Appeals upheld that decision, Gibson Dunn appealed the Boards decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (“CAVC”) and filed a memorandum summarizing the legal arguments at issue on appeal. Based on that memorandum alone, the VA conceded to our argument and agreed to file a joint motion to remand our client’s case for further consideration without the need to proceed to full briefing or oral argument. Gibson Dunn is pleased to continue working with this client in the next stage of her legal fight to obtain critical medical benefits.
In another recent matter, a team represented a veteran suffering from lingering health issues caused by exposure to toxic substances and chemicals during his military service, including during multiple overseas deployments. Despite his documented toxic exposure, the VA denied our client’s claim that his health issues were service-connected. By the time a team of three Gibson Dunn attorneys— all military veterans themselves—took over the case, our client had just lost his appeal before the Board of Veterans Appeals. We identified numerous errors that the Board committed in denying our client’s service-connection claims. And after filing an appeal at the CAVC we were able to convince the VA that the Board had erred. The Board’s decision denying our client’s appeal was vacated and remanded for further proceedings, and the Gibson Dunn team continues to represent our client in his remand proceedings before the Board.
