CVLC News
News: VSOs File Lawsuit to Compel VA to Amend Character of Discharge Regulations
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center applauds National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) and Swords to Plowshares for suing VA to correct its antiquated and harmful rules that bar veterans with mental illness and who face discrimination from service from VA benefits. As an organization, and alongside our partners the National Veterans Council for Legal Redress, we…
Read MoreThe 12th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Earlier this week the Department of Defense marked the 12th anniversary of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) with a promising announcement: acknowledging the on-going harms of this policy, the Department of Defense will begin to proactively review the discharge status of the 2,000+ veterans impacted and launch an outreach campaign for self-help.…
Read MoreBlack Veterans Research Roundtable
On July 27th, Staff Attorney and Policy Analyst Alden Pinkham participated in the Black Veterans Research Roundtable hosted by the U.S. Department of Labor. The video recording of her joint-presentation with Dr. Meredith Kleykamp of RAND Corporation and the University of Maryland, Dr. Rosemarie O’Connor of ICF International, and Wendy McClinton of Black Veterans for…
Read MoreReport Back from the DAV Convention
by Juliet Taylor with Patrick J Dunn Earlier this month Juliet Taylor and Brianna Jarvis from CVLC’s intake team attended the DAV & DAV Auxiliary National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey. DAV and DAV Auxiliary members nationwide gathered at the Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City to brainstorm and share ideas for a single purpose: how…
Read MoreCT Mirror: For many CT veterans, PACT Act offers expanded benefits
“Advocates like [Amy] Antioho and groups in Connecticut are encouraging veterans to sign up for benefits, especially before the Aug. 9 deadline. Alison Weir, executive director of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, is also urging veterans whose claims have previously been denied or those who have experienced issues with the VA to still sign up…
Read MoreOperation Fouled Anchor and the Continued Fight for Justice for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
by Chelsea Donaldson, Supervising Attorney, VA Benefits Recently, the United States Coast Guard revealed that dozens of incidents of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment took place at its service academy in New London, Connecticut–and all were unreported or ignored. The problem was so rampant that the Coast Guard implemented an internal investigation which was…
Read MoreCelebrating Nikki Kelsey
Reflections from Nikki’s colleagues at Connecticut Veterans Legal Center After almost a decade of service to veterans as a paralegal for Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, Nikki Kelsey is leaving to join the team at the VA. We are beyond grateful for Nikki’s contributions, and we are proud to continue to call her a friend. As…
Read MoreCelebrating Millie Vandenbroek
Written by Christy Fisher, with Alden Pinkham Connecticut Veterans Legal Center wishes to recognize Millie Vandenbroek’s exceptional service to our organization as she departs to pursue a new career. Since she first joined us in 2015–and then rejoined us in 2018 after achieving a degree in Public Health–Millie has brought her quiet compassion to all…
Read MoreCVLC Urges Support for VA Funding
On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, Supervising Attorney, VA Benefits, Chelsea Donaldson represented CLVC alongside Homes for the Brave’s Vincent Santilli and local veterans at Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro’s press conference at West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center to share information on how proposed cuts to VA funding would impact veterans in Connecticut: “The Connecticut Veterans…
Read MoreSpotlight: Army Veteran Kevin S.
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center is proud to work every day to secure veterans’ access to the benefits they earned. Army Veteran Kevin S. shares his story below: After noticing my application to the VA for healthcare benefits had been denied, a case manager through the Wounded Warriors project had suggested I accept help from a…
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