The Stateside Legal Advocate Tool Kit

Military records

Proof of military service is essential.
The National Archives maintains detailed information about the process of documenting military service. Your client or their "next of kin" can do this via the "E-Vets" portal maintained by the National Archive.

If you are not the veteran or next of kin, you must complete the Standard Form 180 (SF 180) to request this information.

Overview Materials

The Military Commander and the Law. This current 736 page guide is designed as a desktop reference for JAG officers. It includes information on various legal issues specific to current military members and their families, with appropriate statutory citations.

The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide. This 649 page guide, edited by David Addlestone and Craig Kubey with contributions from over 20 legal experts, covers a very wide variety of legal issues important to this client population. It was originally developed for Veterans for America and is now hosted online by the National Veterans Legal Services Program. Please note that the Guide has not been updated since 2009.

The Law Review Library maintained by Captain Sam Wright of the Reserve Officers Association, covering a wide range of topics with special emphasis on USERRA and SCRA protections.

GAO reports on VA and Department of Defense programs and services: These reports contain valuable background information and explanations on many of the most significant VA and Dept. of Defense benefits.

Congressional Committees on Veterans Affairs: The United States House and Senate Committees on Veteran Affairs include information about pending legislation and other important resources.

Justice for Vets offers a clearinghouse website and other resources for those interested in veteran treatment courts.

More Overview materials can be found here

Federal Statutes and Regulations

United States Code ·

Title 10 (Armed Forces) ·
Title 14 (Coast Guard) ·
Title 32 (National Guard) ·
Title 38 (Veterans Benefits)

Code of Federal Regulations: Go here to view the complete CFR directory of federal regulations.
The following are short-cuts to some volumes that may be particularly useful:

Volume 38 of the Code (VA Benefits):
- Parts 1-17;
- Parts 18-76

Military Legal Resources

Department of Defense web portal for official directives, forms, instructions and other resources.

Department of Defense Servicemember Database (to confirm military status of a particular individual).

The US Air Force Legal Assistance websit e: a listing of materials designed for JAG and military legal assistance officers.

The Coast Guard Legal Program website: a listing of materials designed for Coast Guard JAG and military legal assistance officers.

A searchable database of U.S. Army regulations.

Searchable library of military legal resources: This list is maintained by the Library of Congress.

Joint Federal Travel Regulations: These regulations can be important in handling claims related to active duty service member and their families.

Military Legal Journals: The "Army Lawyer" and "Military Law Journal" publish law review-type articles on various legal issues, with a searchable database.

VA Legal Resources

VA Guidelines on the use of legal services: A 2011 VA directive supports medical/legal collaborations at VAMC facilities. A 2012 VA policy memo addresses various aspects of such collaborations.

VA forms: a searchable directory of all VA forms, including those available as fillable PDFs.

VA Administrative Handbooks: These may provide useful authority in advocating on behalf of a veteran whose claim (for any type of benefit/service) is before the VA.

Veterans Benefits Administration References: The web-automated reference materials system (WARMS) used by VA staff.

Board of VA Appeals Decisions: This searchable database of BVA decisions can be sorted by topic or year issued.

Opinions of the VA General Counsel: Precedent Opinions of the Office of VA General Counsel are available according to the year in which they were issued. They are searchable by topic if you modify the search engine functionality on the top right of the page to search "current site only."

U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals: The Court website includes Court forms, a searchable database of attorneys and advocates qualified to appear before it, and Court decisions and opinions.

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Military Advocate Tool Kit