Veterans Clinic

The Veterans Clinic will give students an opportunity to represent U.S. military veterans and in doing such, help hone their lawyering and advocacy skills. There will be three areas of focus while supervising students participating in the Veterans Clinic. First, advocating for veterans who need assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation and pension claims within the legal structure under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. This could include helping veterans prepare claims for the VA Regional Office, appeals to the Board of Veterans' Appeal, and appellate motions before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Second, students will assist veterans with the upgrade of their military discharge and character of service determination before both the VA and the Department of Defense's service discharge review boards. And finally, when appropriate, seek assistance from the other clinics at Texas Tech University School of Law to help veterans with legal matters that are beyond the scope of the first two areas. Students will take the lead on writing legal briefs, rule recommendations for the VA, memorandums, letters, and electronic mail correspondence, as well as interviewing clients, experts, and witnesses to advocate for the veterans they represent. Students will also conduct discovery and assist in negotiating settlements. Students will interact professionally with a wide variety of social service, medical, mental health, and other providers in the effort to assist the veteran.