MSJDN is excited to announce that we will be working with the Military Officers Association of America’s (MOAA) Veterans Service Office Program in their efforts to assist with veterans’ claims.  Throughout the country, there are many Veterans Service Organizations (VSO’s) that are able to assist veterans with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) claims process.  MOAA has officially applied for recognition as a VSO with the VA.  Once it receives that recognition, MOAA will be able to train and accredit representatives who can then help veterans and survivors through the VA claims process.  MSJDN members will have the opportunity to volunteer with MOAA to receive the necessary training and work on these veterans claims.  This pro bono work will provide interested MSJDN members with valuable experience in the area of veterans law while also providing a much needed service to our military community.

MSJDN is currently seeking members in the DC area who would like to volunteer as pro bono attorneys to assist MOAA with these claims.  In the future, we hope that this work will be able to be done remotely so that we can involve more of our members across the world.  However, in order to volunteer at this time, you must:

• Be in the DC area; and
• Be a MOAA member or the spouse of a MOAA member.  For information about joining MOAA, click here.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email your résumé to vso@moaa.org.  MOAA requests that all volunteers: (1) indicate whether they personally have any prior military experience, and (2) redact any personal information such as social security numbers from their résumé.  Once your résumé has been received, MOAA will contact you with a background check form to complete and a request for a DD-214 if you have served in the military.  Prior to beginning work on the claims, MOAA will provide the necessary training to volunteers.

Also, remember that MSJDN members are invited to attend the Vet Law Forum 2013 – a no-cost event hosted by the VA in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, October 30, 2013.  Please register ASAP if you are interested in attending the Vet Law Forum to learn more about serving veterans on a pro-bono basis.