Sidley recently obtained a pro bono victory on behalf of a U.S. Army veteran who was referred to the firm after being denied an increased disability rating for his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The veteran, who served on active duty from 2001 to 2007 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge among other decorations for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, sustained severe PTSD after surviving an improvised explosive device attack during his active duty service in Iraq. The Sidley team represented the veteran in gathering evidence to demonstrate the severity of the veteran’s service-connected disability, as well as briefing and presenting his case to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. The Board granted the veteran’s request, increased the veteran’s disability rating for PTSD from 50% to 70%, and awarded the veteran back pay through the entire appellate period to 2013, resulting in an immediate award of over $6,000.
The veteran was thrilled, and shared his appreciation for the team’s efforts: “Please accept my heartfelt thanks and express my gratitude to the entire Sidley team. It’s been a long road, and I am blessed to have had the assistance of the [Texas Veterans Commission and Sidley team]. I will always remember the professionalism of your team and the courtesy extended to me by each of you throughout the process. You are all a credit to the profession.”
The appeal was briefed by Rob Velevis (Dallas), Emily Wexler (Chicago), Barret Armbruster (Dallas), Nick Greenberg (Dallas), and Maggie Gianvecchio (Dallas). The case was referred to Sidley by the National Veterans Legal Services Program.
The veteran was thrilled, and shared his appreciation for the team’s efforts: “Please accept my heartfelt thanks and express my gratitude to the entire Sidley team. It’s been a long road, and I am blessed to have had the assistance of the [Texas Veterans Commission and Sidley team]. I will always remember the professionalism of your team and the courtesy extended to me by each of you throughout the process. You are all a credit to the profession.”
The appeal was briefed by Rob Velevis (Dallas), Emily Wexler (Chicago), Barret Armbruster (Dallas), Nick Greenberg (Dallas), and Maggie Gianvecchio (Dallas). The case was referred to Sidley by the National Veterans Legal Services Program.