The CLE Program "General Introduction to the Practice of Veterans Law" was originally presented and recorded on February 22, 2019.

Tennessee veterans are underrepresented through the VA Claims and Appeals process. This CLE intends to expand the group of legal advocates dedicated to serving veterans. This 3 hour CLE program will cover information about representation before the VA, claims procedures, basic eligibility for VA benefits, right to appeal, disability compensation dependency and indemnity compensation, and pension.

The CLE program will be presented by James R. Drysdale, a KBA member who works for the VA Office of General Counsel in Washington, DC, litigating matters on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and Rita Gibson Rayford, who is the Chief Development Officer for Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. and a VA accredited attorney.

Expect to learn:
How to spot common issues;
Practical tips for staying proactive that may increase the chances of success;
How to work with forms and make use of terms of art;
What regulations, statutes, case law, or other legal sources of information are instructive; and How to take advantage of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

PURPOSE OF VA ACCREDITATION
In order for lawyers to represent veterans with claims for benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs, lawyers must be accredited by the VA. Accreditation means the authority granted by VA to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits. 38 C.F.R. § 14.627(a).

The only requirement for initial accreditation is the filing of Form 21a; however, within a year of initial accreditation, attorneys must complete a 3-credit-hour CLE requirement. An additional 3 hours of CLE must be completed within 3 years of the initial accreditation. Read more at http://www.va.gov/ogc/accred_faqs.asp.

APPLYING FOR VA ACCREDITATION
Applications for accreditation (VA Form 21a)) are available online at www.va.gov/ogc/accreditation.asp. The applications are relatively short and simple, but the approval process may take up to 90 days.

This 3.0 hour CLE program satisfies the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(b)(iii) and has been approved by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 3 hours of CLE credit.

Because the VA’s regulations require completion of qualifying CLE “during the first 12-month period following the date of initial accreditation by the VA,” the VA will not accept CLE courses taken before accreditation as satisfying the requirements of 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(b). Therefore, you must be accredited by the VA prior to attending this training in order to use this training to satisfy the VA’s CLE requirement for accredited attorneys. If you wish to be certified after attending the training, attendees may watch the recording of this CLE program online to satisfy the VA’s requirements.

Speakers: James R. Drysdale, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the General Counsel and Rita Gibson Rayford, Chief Development Officer for Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. and a VA accredited attorney

(If you have any questions about the program please contact speakers at VALawQuestions@gmail.com or rgibson@malsi.org )

Approved for 3 hours of "Online" General CLE Credit.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Please verify when you register for an online CLE course that you have not previously attended the program during the live presentation or the video replay series offered twice a year. The CLE Commission will not approve CLE credit for the same course even if it is taken in a different calendar year.