Veteran Benefits and Retirement Planning (JAG)(SC)

This elective brings together several areas of law related to Veterans and Wounded Warriors ability to transition from the service with the benefits they earned and plan for their and their families’ future financial stability. We will examine processing and administrative issues faced by wounded, injured, and ill Servicemembers and practical and legal issues confronted by the command. Students will explore critical legal issues that arise from the point of injury through leaving the service and beyond. Students will study advanced estate planning concepts such as building as estate, planning for military retirement, and minimizing tax liability. Upon completion, the student will be better able to advise a commander charged with making recommendations and decisions related to wounded warriors, such as military justice case disposition and the type and characterization of discharge. Class topics range from the Disability Evaluation System (DES), command responsibility for wounded warriors, the interrelation of the IDES and adverse administrative and judicial actions, Veteran eligibility and benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs, the VA Compensation Claim process, and the Veteran’s various appeal options.