This semester, students in the Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic have played key roles in advocating for veterans before major courts. Two of the Clinic’s students, Rachel Elliot and Brady Hays, worked on cases in United States federal courts. 

Rachel Elliot, a law student at Mizzou Law who is part of the Advanced Veterans Clinic, recently authored and submitted a brief to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. After completing the necessary paperwork for admission to the Court as a law student and with the approval of the Dean, Rachel was able to fully brief the case. Rachel drew on her prior experience in the regular clinic to argue that her veteran client was entitled to separate rating criteria under relevant federal regulations. She also challenged the adequacy of the medical examinations provided to the veteran. Rachel was supervised by Clinic attorneys Carter Brooks Templeton and Martha Bradley Kleinhesselink. 

Meanwhile, Brady Hays, a current student in the Veterans Clinic, contributed to a brief submitted to the United States Court of Federal Claims. The case involved a veteran’s entitlement to combat-related special monthly compensation under 10 U.S.C. § 1413a(e)(2). Brady’s work centered on key legal issues, including a misapplication of the standard of proof, improper deference to agency interpretations of the relevant statute, and an improper analysis of the impacts of PTSD and its symptoms. Brady was also supervised by Carter Brooks Templeton and Military Lawyer Transition Program attorney Braden Wright. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the work that Rachel and Brady have done on behalf of our veteran clients,” said Mr. Templeton. “Their dedication and work made a significant impact on the cases they worked on. Rachel’s thorough analysis and advocacy in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and Brady’s contributions to our briefing at the United States Court of Federal Claims, demonstrate the high level of skill and commitment our students bring to their clinical work. It’s an honor to supervise students like Brady and Rachel who are making a difference in the lives of our clients while they are still in law school.” 

The University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic represents veterans and their family members – free of charge – with their Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits claims and Department of Defense discharge upgrades. Since its inception in 2014, the Clinic has secured more than $20 million in federal disability compensation benefits and numerous discharge upgrades for its clients.