The Veterans Advocacy Clinic Has Reopened
We are now accepting inquiries from veterans. You can submit an inquiry through our online form.
History
The Veterans Advocacy Clinic (the VAC) emerged after a decade of independent pro bono work for veterans by Professor Hillary Wandler. She began representing veterans on their VA claims and appeals in 2006 and continued her work when she joined the School of Law faculty in 2008. In 2017, the VAC was established as an in-house clinic at the law school. The VAC serves a dual purpose: to serve low-income veterans in need of legal services for VA claims or appeals, DoD discharge upgrades, and related legal issues, and to give students hands-on experience practicing law.
Mission Statement
Through legal representation, legal consultation, and outreach, the VAC will account for long-term impacts of military service on Montana veterans. By holding systems that are designed to support veterans accountable, the VAC advocates for appropriate income support for disabled veterans and their families, for adequate and competent healthcare for veterans recovering from physical and mental trauma, and for the veteran’s right to have knowledge of and control over their personal military history.
Veteran Information
The VAC has reopened and is accepting inquiries from veterans. In addition to VA disability claims and appeals and military discharge upgrades, we welcome inquiries on legal issues connected to or affected by military service. Examples might include a military discharge issue that has led to involvement with the criminal justice system, or a problem accessing VA benefits that has affected a veteran’s housing.
To request assistance, please complete our online intake form. Because our capacity is limited, we may not be able to take on every matter. Submitting an inquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship.
If you need help sooner, or if we are unable to assist you, you can search the VA’s database of accredited representatives in your area, which is on this page in the VA’s website. For other civil legal issues, consider visiting the Montana Legal Services Association’s website. Additional resources are linked in our intake form.
Student Information
Clinic Director: Professor Hillary Wandler
Prerequisite: Professional Responsibility
Areas of Emphasis: Administrative law setting involving VA claims for service-connected disability benefits, VA claims for increased disability rating, applications to the Department of Defense for discharge upgrade, and consultation with veterans and practitioners on various legal issues for veterans.
Examples of the Work We Do
- Meet with a veteran for intake or legal advice
- Develop an original claim for service-connected disability compensation
- Develop a claim for increased disability rating, including writing the argument of how the law supports the increase
- Research and write an appellate brief to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
- Conduct a hearing before the VA Regional Office Decision Review Officer or Board of Veterans’ Appeals administrative law judge
- Prepare a veteran for a hearing before the VA Regional Office, Board of Veterans Appeals, or Department of Defense Review Boards
- Research, investigate, and write an application for discharge upgrade
- Write a letter advising a veteran on the chances of success in a claim
The VAC provides pro bono legal advocacy to veterans and their families in rural and urban communities across Montana. The clinic prioritizes claims that will provide veterans and their families with sustaining income. Through their work in the VAC, students will also learn veterans disability law, the law of discharge upgrade, and the procedural issues arising in both settings. Thus, students will learn to provide excellent advocacy in complex administrative systems like the VA, which will prepare them to serve veterans and other clients in practice.