St. Paul, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is working with the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) to create unparalleled free access to legal representation for Minnesota Veterans and their families in appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC).

“The partnership between MDVA and NVLSP is a great milestone for the state and for Minnesota Veterans,” said MDVA Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “Minnesota Veterans will now have access to an outstanding national legal team who will defend their rights at the highest legal levels.”

NVLSP is a national nonprofit organization that works to ensure the government delivers to America’s 18 million Veterans and active-duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled because of disabilities resulting from their military service to our country.

“I’m excited that our MDVA teams will be able to provide professional representation at the courts. MDVA stands as a premium service provider, as we’ll also have access to the training and professional development that NVLSP provides,” says Ron Quade, MDVA Director of Veteran Services. “This training will be invaluable as MDVA teams continue to serve Minnesota Veterans, now and in the years to come.”

"We are delighted to work with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and we welcome the opportunity to leverage our shared expertise to help Minnesota Veterans and their families receive the benefits to which they are entitled,” said NVLSP Executive Director Paul Wright.

As a matter of background, the journey of appealing a claim denial can be lengthy and complicated. When disability claims are denied by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans have the right to appeal to the CAVC. Through this partnership, NVLSP will provide free legal representation in support of appeal cases. This process begins when the NVLSP reviews a case in which a Veteran’s appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA), the highest authority within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is denied and determines there are grounds for an appeal to the CAVC. When this occurs, NVLSP offers to represent the Veteran or the Veteran’s family at no cost. This strategic partnership between MDVA and the NVLSP marks the first time this free legal service is available to Veterans in Minnesota.

In addition to NVLSP’s assistance to Veterans with claims appeals, NVLSP will also assist Minnesota Veterans with discharge upgrades, which will help Veterans access benefits they may be denied due to a less than honorable discharge.

To learn more about NVLSP, visit nvlsp.org.

To learn more about MDVA visit: MinnesotaVeteran.org.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.