Mr. and Mrs. Joplin first connected with San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA) at a property tax protest workshop. At the time, they were looking for help navigating rising property taxes and protecting their home.
That first interaction became the beginning of a much larger, holistic legal journey.
From there, the Joplins received estate planning assistance at SALSA’s Wills Clinic, legal advocacy for VA disability benefits, and ultimately a legal outcome that brought financial security and peace of mind during an incredibly difficult chapter of their lives.
Before SALSA
Mr. Joplin was a disabled veteran with stage III lung cancer who served for 13 years and was exposed to environmental toxins throughout his military career. Despite this, the VA denied his request for an increased disability rating—from 50% to 100%—in just three months. It was an unusually fast and devastating decision.
At the same time:
- The Joplins were at risk of losing their home due to unpaid property taxes
- Mr. Joplin’s disability rating remained at 50%, limiting monthly income
- Without recognition that his cancer was service-connected, Mrs. Joplin would lose all VA benefits after her husband’s passing
The stakes were not theoretical. They were immediate and deeply personal.
The Legal Work
Despite the denial, Todd Tagami, head of SALSA’s Veterans Program Team, alongside St. Mary’s Moody Legal Fellows, took on the appeal.
The team gathered extensive military and medical records, drafted detailed legal briefs, and built a case connecting Mr. Joplin’s cancer to his service-related exposure. With the guidance of SALSA staff and mentors, they navigated the complexities of the VA system thoughtfully and effectively, ensuring the case was fully heard and understood.
Five months after the appeal was filed, the VA reversed its decision.
After SALSA
The outcome was transformative:
- Mr. Joplin’s disability rating increased from 50% to 100%
- Monthly income rose from $1,208 to $4,044.91
- The family received $42,000 in back pay, just in time to prevent eviction
- A property tax exemption was secured retroactive to January 2024 and lasting for life
- Mr. Joplin’s cancer was officially recognized as service-connected, ensuring VA survivor benefits for Mrs. Joplin
Mr. Joplin has since passed away. Because this legal work was completed in time, Mrs. Joplin did not lose her income after his death. That protection—secured through persistence, legal skill, and community support—continues to matter every day.
For the Joplin family, this legal victory arrived just in time—and changed everything.
Why This Matters
This is what happens when legal expertise is paired with compassion and community support. It also illustrates SALSA’s approach: meeting clients where they are and addressing interconnected legal needs—from property taxes to estate planning to complex VA appeals.
Access to justice isn’t abstract. It looks like housing stability, financial security, and peace of mind for families facing the hardest moments of their lives.
At SALSA, this work is powered by volunteers, donors, and partners who believe that everyone deserves a fair chance—especially those who have already given so much in service to our country.