Veterans are denied benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs for a variety of reasons. Service connection for disability compensation, misconduct while in service, and absence of evidence are commonly disputed issues for Veteran’s applying for benefits. SALSA’s Veterans Legal Services Program engages local attorneys to represent Veterans appealing disability compensation denials, character of service determinations, and VA debt management center actions. Veterans may be ineligible for legal services subject to income and asset limitations. Veterans requiring assistance should apply for assistance here to confirm eligibility.
Veterans are required to provide one of the following:
- Uniform Services Identification Card,
- VA Identification Card,
- Texas Driver License w/Veteran designation; or
Veterans may also provide the following along with a valid Texas driver’s license, ID, or voter ID:
- Certification of Military Service,
- DD 214 (must be Member Copy 4 w/legible characterization of service),
- NGB-22,
- NA Form 13038,
- VA Summary Letter w/Character of Service listed (mailed copy).
Dependents of Veterans should be prepared to provide the above requirements AND:
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption Certificate
Discharge Upgrades
Most Veteran benefits require an “Honorable” characterization of the Veteran’s service. However, many times due to circumstances outside the Veteran’s control, less than Honorable discharges are unjustly issued. Every military branch provides an avenue to upgrade an other than honorable military discharge. Applications for upgrades can be very complicated, require documentary evidence and/or an appearance before the upgrade board itself. SALSA’s Veteran Legal Services engages local attorneys to assist Veterans with their upgrade application development and submission.
Veterans may be ineligible for legal services subject to income and asset limitations. Veterans requiring assistance should apply for assistance here to confirm eligibility.
Veterans are required to provide one of the following:
- Uniform Services Identification Card,
- VA Identification Card,
- Texas Driver License w/Veteran designation; or
Veterans may also provide the following along with a valid Texas driver’s license, ID, or voter ID:
- Certification of Military Service,
- DD 214 (must be Member Copy 4 w/legible characterization of service),
- NGB-22,
- NA Form 13038,
- VA Summary Letter w/Character of Service listed (mailed copy).
Dependents of Veterans should be prepared to provide the above requirements AND:
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption Certificate