More than 40 attorneys attended the
"Representing Clients before the Department of Veterans Affairs"
training program at the Massachusetts Bar Association's Boston
office on May 29.
The half-day training taught
attorneys about the structure and organization of the VA, details
of the claims procedure, including initial claims, claims to reopen
old claims, rating increases at the regional offices, rights to
appeal and the process of securing disability compensation,
dependency and indemnity compensation and pensions.
The training was presented by
nationally known veterans' law expert Michael Taub, director of the
Veterans Project at the Homeless Advocacy Project in Philadelphia.
Taub has represented homeless veterans' claims for VA benefits for
more than five years. He has trained attorneys for the New York
City Bar Association, public interest attorneys at legal services
agencies and law firms from New York City to Atlanta.
The program, which was free for MBA members who agree to handle
one pro bono veterans' benefits matter in 2009-10, was offered as a
public service with the financial support of the Massachusetts Bar
Foundation.