Join us for Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Navigating the minefield of VA law
Date: April 20, 2026
Location: Sedra’s Bistro
348 Robert Blvd.
Slidell, Louisiana 70458
Military Veterans Advocacy has requested seven hours of Continuing Legal Education credit from the State of Louisiana, including one hour of ethics.
This program is designed for:
- Attorneys practicing veterans law
- Veteran Service Officers (VSOs)
- Veterans interested in understanding the claims and appeals process
Registration Fees
- Attorneys — $300
- Veteran Service Officers — $200
- Veterans / Other Attendees — $100
Proceeds support Military Veterans Advocacy’s mission to advance the rights of veterans through litigation, legislative advocacy, and education.
For additional information, please contact:
Jessica Jordan
📞 985-641-1855
📧 jessica.jordan@mvadvocacy.org
Program Objectives
The objective of this program is to provide a comprehensive overview of Veterans Benefits Law and the legal framework governing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), equipping participants with the knowledge necessary to navigate the complex VA claims and appeals process.
The program will introduce the foundational principles of VA law, including the definition of veteran status, the impact of military discharge characterizations, and eligibility requirements for benefits and compensation. Participants will also explore evolving legal issues affecting veterans’ claims, including VA practice in the post-Chevron deference environment.
In addition, the program will address legal and evidentiary issues related to toxic exposure claims, including matters involving Blue Water Navy veterans, herbicide exposure, burn pits, and developments under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.
The seminar will also examine the role of medical and scientific evidence in establishing service connection for both mental health conditions and physical injuries, methods for determining eligibility through military records such as deck logs, and the ethical responsibilities of attorneys practicing before the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Content
- Navigating the minefield of VA law
- What is the VA?
- VA law 101
- VA in the post-Chevron world
- Who is a veteran?
- Military discharges and upgrades
- Veteran benefit law
- Claims and appeals
- Blue Water Navy claims
- Determining eligibility, introduction to deck logs and basic nautical plotting
- Science behind the Blue Water Navy issue
- Burn pits
- PACT ACT
- Mental disorders
- Physical injuries
- Attorney’s practice before the VA ethics
Prior to attending the program, MVA recommends that attorneys be accepted for practice before the Department of Veterans Affairs. The application form can be found here.