Join us for Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Navigating the minefield of VA law

Date: December 7, 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 — $450
Veteran Service Officers — $250
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.

Join us for Continuing Legal Education Seminar

Navigating the minefield of VA law

Program Objectives

Content​

Content