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Helping Veterans Access the Benefits They Earned
Blank Rome supports former members of the military with other-than-honorable discharges . Many former service members were discharged due to conduct related to military sexual trauma ; combat-related traumatic brain injuries ; Don ’ t Ask , Don ’ t Tell-related policies ; and mental health issues . They aren ’ t even considered veterans by the U . S . government , despite their military service . Receiving a discharge upgrade significantly impacts the client ’ s ability to access critically needed veterans ’ benefits , including healthcare , Department of Veterans Affairs (“ VA ”) benefits for disabled veterans , housing assistance , and much more .
Firm Supports The Veterans Consortium Discharge Upgrade Program
In partnership with The Veterans Consortium (“ TVC ”) and volunteers from the in-house legal department of firm client PNC Bank , Blank Rome attorneys attended a Military Discharge Upgrade Clinic at the VA Medical Center in Butler , Pennsylvania . Volunteers helped former military members with other-than-honorable discharges , commonly referred to as “ bad paper ,” to determine if they might qualify for a discharge upgrade .
Attorneys Helps Navy Veteran to Upgrade Discharge
Attorney Secures Navy Discharge Upgrade for PTSD Sufferer
Alan R . Feigenbaum |
In collaboration with TVC , Blank Rome attorney Alan R . Feigenbaum is helping a U . S . Navy veteran to upgrade his other-than-honorable discharge , which is preventing the veteran ’ s access to important benefits . Since joining our firm only two years ago , Alan has handled five military discharge upgrades . |
Stephanie E . Holden |
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In collaboration with TVC , Blank Rome attorney Stephanie E . Holden helped a veteran who was dishonorably discharged from the Navy in 2002 to receive a discharge upgrade . Stephanie argued that mitigating circumstances warranted an upgrade of his discharge status . The Board for the Correction of Naval Records granted the discharge upgrade , affording Stephanie ’ s client significant veterans ’ benefits that he was denied for nearly 20 years . Former Marine ’ s Discharge Upgraded to Receive Benefits
Craig N . Haring , Robyn N . Burrows , and Nicole N . Wentworth represented a decorated former Marine who was dishonorably discharged for taking a tranquilizer after suffering the death of a close relative and the suicide of two fellow Marines . Thanks to Craig ’ s excellent work , his client , who was diagnosed with service-connected mental health issues , was upgraded to a general discharge under honorable conditions and is able to access all of the benefits he is entitled to as a veteran . PRO BONO REPORT & COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT • 21