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DESCRIPTION: It's a law school clinic that gives free legal representation to disabled veterans and dependents who are appealing an adverse VA decision that denied them full benefits. We specialize in appeals from the VA Regional Offices in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the Washington-based Board of Veterans Appeals. We also take appeals from the Board of Veterans Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, a special U.S. court set up to supervise the VA compensation system.
TRANSCRIPT:
What is the Veterans Law Clinic?
It's a law school clinic that gives free legal representation to disabled veterans and dependents who are appealing an adverse VA decision that denied them full benefits. We specialize in appeals from the VA Regional Offices in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the Washington-based Board of Veterans Appeals. We also take appeals from the Board of Veterans Appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, a special U.S. court set up to supervise the VA compensation system.
What kind of cases do you get?
Almost all our clients come to us after the VA Regional Office turns them down. We also file new claims for benefits for the surviving family members of a veteran whom we represent when the veteran passes away while we are prosecuting the claim. And we also do change of discharge cases
Why do you limit yourself to these kinds of cases?
The Veterans Law Clinic is a specialized law practice- all we do is veterans work, all day every day. We're not competent to do matrimonial cases, criminal defense work, or workers compensation cases for example. We stick to what we know best: veterans disability law.
If I were a vet or a dependent, how would I get in touch with you about my problems? You can e-mail me at tjreed@mail.widener.edu, call the clinic at 302-477-2090, or send a letter to Veterans Law Clinic, Widener University School of Law, P.O. Box 7474, Wilmington, DE 19803-0474
Do you have an on-line application form? Yes. It is downloadable in PDF form-you can download and print the form out to type or write in the information on your financial data and other information-or you can use our MS Word version that you can fill-in on line and send back to us for review.
If I do that, am I your client and will you represent me?
You need to schedule an in-person interview with the clinic. One of our clinical interns will spend time with you to see if we can help you out. If we can, then you will get a written agreement from us to represent you countersigned by you and one of our staff lawyers who will be your primary representative.
If I schedule an interview with your clinic, is there anything I need to bring with me? Yes, all the paperwork you have received from the VA, particularly any Rating Decision or Board of Veterans Appeals decision.
Tell me about your attorneys: who are they and what do they do for your program? I have two staff attorneys who work with our Pennsylvania veterans- Susan Saidel who operates out of our Chester, Pennsylvania branch office, is an experienced disability law attorney who also works part time for a New Jersey public interest law firm. She also worked for Legal Assistance in Philadelphia for a number of years. She's a Widener Law alumna. Susan is responsible for veterans and dependents in Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
Jeremiah Underhill is our Harrisburg staff attorney. Like Susan Saidel, he is a Widener Law graduate who has his own law practice in Harrisburg. He is responsible for veterans and dependents in Central and Western Pennsylvania.
I am responsible for all our Delaware and New Jersey veterans and dependents.
Where are you located? Our Delaware office is located in Room 219 at the Wilmington Campus of Widener University School of Law, 4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington.
Susan Saidel's Chester office is located in the University Technical Park Building I 1430 Edgemont Ave, Chester, PA. Her mailing address is One University Pl., Chester, PA 19013. Her phone there is 610-499-4696
Jeremiah Underwood has an office in the administration building at our Harrisburg campus, 3900 Vartan Way, P.O. Box 69381, Harrisburg, PA 17110. His phone is 717-541-3900
When is the Veterans Law Clinic open? Our main office at the Wilmington campus is open Monday through Friday 9:00-5:00. Our Chester and Harrisburg offices are open by appointment only at this time.