Veterans face the same daily challenges we all do like finding adequate housing, family concerns, problems with an employer and other issues that sometimes require legal help. However, these problems can be exacerbated by a service-related disability or other complications unique to those who served in our nation’s uniform.

Fortunately, it is easy to connect with legal resources through the VA healthcare system and other organizations in Arkansas that help veterans navigate these situations and reach favorable outcomes.

For the last ten years, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) has partnered with Arkansas Legal Services to assist with common legal problems veterans face. This includes service-related issues such as benefit denials and discharge upgrade appeals, and also non-service issues like family law and landlord/tenant disputes.  

Veterans can also contact the Veterans Legal Services Clinic at the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. The William H. Bowen School of Law program helps with compensation appeals, discharge upgrades and referrals to other lawyers and organizations that can assist with civil legal matters. 

For veterans served by Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks (VHSO), Legal Aid of Arkansas has a walk-in clinic on the medical center campus two days a week. Veterans can also find information and register for legal assistance online. 

I am also pleased to see the growing number of counties in our state with Veterans Treatment Courts. These voluntary, multi-phase intervention programs are specifically for veterans involved in the justice system due to underlying substance abuse or mental health disorders. Veterans can connect to these options through the Arkansas Judiciary or by reaching out to contacts with the VA’s Veterans Justice Outreach specialists.

I am proud to support resources like these and appreciate the great work Arkansans are doing to serve veterans as they have served us.