Veterans in the Central New York area can get legal help with claims for disability care and other benefits from a unique Syracuse University Law School program. The Betty and Michael D. Wohl Veterans Legal Clinic was recently awarded a Justice for Heroes grant to expand its ability help veterans.
Third year law student Jonathan Newsome was already interested in going into military law when he got involved with the clinic. By the second week, he was working on cases of veterans who have been struggling to get medical care or disability payments
“A lot of them have physical conditions or psychiatric conditions that prevent their ability to work. And so, this service connection, that money can really change heir lives. It can get them stable housing, an opportunity to have some money coming in when they’re not able to hold down a steady job. … Unfortunately, some of these claims take a while.”
In many cases, veterans’ claims for certain care or benefits was denied by the Veterans Administration. That’s when legal help is needed to find the reasons. Clinic Director Beth Kubala makes the student jump right in, research all aspects of a case or claim, including, “the code of federal regulation citations to actual disability codes, if they were denied before, why were they denied?” Students look into past actions to see if something was missed or done improperly.
“Does the VA need more evidence to say, ‘yes, this veteran’s conditions are connected to their service.” She added.
Newsome noted that the service connection to a physical injury or mental condition is often a key element of a case. And every case is different. One vet might have been in combat 10 years ago, while another might be struggling with a condition from serve 40 years prior. The approval of a condition as service-connected can lead to medical care or disability pay someone might have been waiting on for years. He added that not every case has a successful ending.
“It’s really difficult for a client, especially someone who’s really be struggling, that they’re claim can’t move forward. Sometimes they’re really banking on that money to com e in for housing or food. That can be really discouraging, and it’s tough to be the bearer of bad news,” said Newsome.
But at the same time, he acknowledged that it’s part of the experience for the law student. Kubala said the students have legal authority, under the clinic’s supervision, to represent clients.
“They’re permitted to stand before a judge in Syracuse city court, to argue before a veterans’ law judge. They can even appear in the federal court on behalf of their clients,” explained Kubala. “So it’s a really great opportunity to get hands on legal experience representing real clients.”
And that experience is exactly what Newsome said he’ll take away from his work with the clinic.
“It’s been the most fulfilling experience since I started law school. I can’t speak to it enough…,” said Newsome. “Getting to work with clients is not only a great skill, but it’s also really rewarding to be able to work with people who really need the help and be able to make a real impact.”
The Veterans Legal Clinic has been working on veterans’ claims for 10 years. Kubala said the state grant would allow them to expand their work to assist more veterans and their families in accessing benefits and military discharge upgrades.