My Special Guest for the February 20th,2008 SVR program (Surviving Veteran’s Resolve), is Margaret Costello, a 20 year practicing attorney as well as a psychologist, who is with Project Salute, a new and unique concept geared towards reaching and helping low income veterans with VA claims issues.

Ms. Costello, also a Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law , will share with us the incredible work these Pro Bono lawyers are doing to help veterans get through the complex maze of the VA claims process in what is know as Project Salute, a Mobile law office , with an itinerary and more info posted on line at <>

Please feel free to join our online chat room and also to call in any questions for our guest at our toll free number ,1-877-213-4329


Last week, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (UDM Law) launched its nationwide tour of its Mobile Law Office (MLO) which will provide free assistance and/or representation to thousands of low-income veterans exclusively on federal benefits issues throughout the United States. The tour officially kicked off in Detroit on Thursday, February 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the UDM Law Atrium at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
“UDM Law is the only law school in the country with an MLO, a Recreational Vehicle that has been outfitted as a law office. For the national tour, General Motors is donating a specially designed, custom built, state-of-the-art RV. Through the MLO, volunteer attorneys and UDM Law faculty and students counseled and/or otherwise assisted over 800 people during the past year. The MLO has made numerous stops at regional senior centers, churches, and other similar facilities, as well as regular stops at facilities where veterans congregate.” From UDM on line.
This will be an important show that hopefully will reach veterans who will mark their calendars for the arrival of the Mobile Law Office in their locale and we can all spread the word of this wonderful and viable project.

Berta Simmons Stardust Radio
Stardust Radio dedicated to our nation's veterans, their families, and to the men and women serving in our Military today-
[<> just click on the SVR button on the left.

(PS since these are Pro Bono lawyers fully educated in VA case law- a vet or widow does not have to have filed a NOD after June 21, 2007 (the date of the new attorney for vets regs in 38 CFR- because they dont get paid at all-pro bono help.)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave_M,

(Benefit lawyers.)

In my view lawyers are the caliber of people who will put pin holes in youe condoms so they can sue you for child support a year later.

To the lawyer the words ill eagle represent nothing more than a sick bird and outragious fees.

quote:

To the lawyer the words ill eagle represent nothing more than a sick bird and outragious fees.

I guess you didnt read this correctly-
Pro Bono means FREE Project Salute does NOT charge a FEE to any vet they help.

Lawyers in any other VA matter charge a fee that the VA has to approve. Those fees are limited by 38 USC.

If a veteran does not have documented medical evidence of SC disability-a lawyer cannot perform a miracle with a claim.

If a vet needs a corroborated stressor-by buddy statement etc- the vet has to do the leg work to get that.

Project Salute -Pro Bono (FREE) VA claims help to Low Income veterans.

Other lawyers can charge 20-25% depending on VA's approval of their fee.

If a vet gets a fee they dont think is fair-
(I have vet I filed this type of NOD for)
they can NOD the fee letter from the VA and tell the VA why the fee is wrong and/or not compatible with the 5 points in the 38 CFR legal fee schedule.
I helped this vet get 32,000 retro and the VA (not the lawyers) wanted to send them 8,000-
I felt I proved they should only get about 4,000
and we await VA's decision on that.

The VA sends the retro-holding back that portion of the proposed legal fee and a veteran can challange it- if they want to by filing a NOD that complies with the attorney fee regs in 38 USC/38 CFR.

The lawyer will not get paid until the NOD is resolved.

2710820 - Berta -
Can you send me info re the program.
I happen to be one of those awful people.
I'm licensed in California and haven't heard of this program. Thanks.

I am sure they would love to hear from you:
http://www.law.udmercy.edu/academics/vetclinic/nat_tour.php

There are some contact numbers at UDM as well as a form at the site-

Got it.
Many thanks.

Hi,

I am a 100% disabled Vietnam Vet. I was involved in a three car accident 18 months ago. An injured party is suing all parties involved. I'd like to know what money that I have is protected, and what is not. I received an inheritance last year when my Mother died. Is this protected too. I am attempting to help my attorney, who is not familiar with laws involving veterans.

Thanks!

Aldo S. Panzieri