How do you choose which cases to accept?
For a number of reasons, we don’t accept every veteran’s case. Some cases have no viable basis and those should not, in good faith, be pursued. The cases we do accept vary, but they share some things in common.
You and your situation are the most important thing. We base a lot of our decision to accept your case based on you and your situation. Until we review your matter, there is no way of knowing whether we can help.
We prioritize veterans who are unable to work due to the service-related disabilities. We generally receive far more calls for representation that we can possibly handle. As such, we have to prioritize who we can help. Veterans unable to work are usually in the most severe financial situations and so we will look very carefully at a veteran’s case where he or she is unable to work as a result of his or her service-related disability.
We don’t take cases if it will spread us too thin. Your law firm should be available to you. Taking too many cases means we can’t provide existing clients–or your case–with the attention necessary.
We handle cases where we can make a difference.
We take cases with a special emphasis on mental disabilities. The reason is that mental disabilities have a greater chance of rendering someone totally unemployable.
We take cases where we have a good faith basis for winning. We consider it unethical to advance arguments when we know that legally there is no sound basis in the law or facts. We strive to adhere to the highest ethical standards.
If we represented you on appeal at the CAVC and you wish further representation at the Board, we can only represent you if the amount of legal fee at the BVA level exceeds what fees were awarded at the CAVC under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
The only way to know whether or not we can help you is for you to call us.