This webinar satisfies both the initial and biennial 3-hour CLE requirements of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for attorney and agent accreditation under 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(b)(1). It provides key information about practice before the VA, including representation of VA claimants, the VA claim and appeal process, and some of the most important types of VA benefits. It is filled with advocacy advice from NVLSP attorneys who, together, have over 80 years of experience practicing veterans law: Bart Stichman, Co-Founder of and Special Counsel to NVLSP; Rick Spataro, Director of Training and Publications; and Alexis Ivory, Senior Staff Attorney. It is a must-see for both new and experienced veterans advocates, and covers:

• Representation before the VA, including accreditation and fees
• Basic eligibility for VA benefits
• Disability compensation, including the various theories of service connection, disability ratings, rating reductions, and severance of service connection
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation
• Non-service-connected disability pension
• Various types of VA claims (initial, increased rating, supplemental, clear and unmistakable error) and how to initiate these claims
• Overviews of and advice for navigating the VA Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA) review system and the VA’s legacy appeal system