On November 5, 2020, a federal judge ordered that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must re-adjudicate claims for disability benefits arising from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, if those claims were previously denied because the veteran had served offshore during Vietnam rather than setting foot on the land or serving within […]
On January 27, 2020, the Department of Defense (“DoD”) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) changed the list of locations where the military used and stored herbicides such as Agent Orange. To the surprise of many, this list no longer includes approximately 40 locations that VA previously recognized as places where herbicides were known to be used. Sadly, VA is
A Changes Position on Where Herbicides Were Used Outside of Vietnam Read More »
In 2019, the Board of Veterans Appeals (sometimes called the Board or BVA) issued over 95,000 appeals decisions. Whenever the Board issues a decision, federal law requires that it provide a statement of “reasons and bases” explaining how it reached its decision. One of the most common reasons that the Board’s decisions are eventually overturned
Reasons and Bases – Why a Veteran’s “Final” VA Rating Decision Isn’t So Final Read More »
The term private equity or alternative asset can encompass a lot of different types of firms, including venture capital firms and hedge funds. Private equity, in this context, mainly refers to leveraged buyouts, where private equity firms buy companies by loading them up with debt. In these private equity transactions, debt is commonly employed to
Regulating Private Equity Read More »
On July 30, 2020, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decided a Wisconsin case that reflected the local impact of a broader shift in how the United States government treats Indian reservations and their sovereignty. On its face, the case was about whether or not the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin had to comply
Mr. Sparks is a student associate at West & Dunn, and a law student at the University of Wisconsin Law School. Every current and former member of the Military understands that wearing the uniform comes with a risk. However, most do not consider the risk posed by trips to the clinic. According to the Defense
Military Members Still Cannot Sue for Negligence Read More »
As the pandemic drags on and folks across the world remain inside, Americans have turned to Amazon to deliver many of the essential supplies needed to stock their homes during quarantine. Over the first quarter of 2020, Amazon raked in $76 billion in net sales (up from $60 billion over the same quarter in 2019), causing its
Alexa, How Do I Sue Amazon? Read More »
Among the most hard-hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are veterans. Too often, veterans face homelessness, lack of adequate health care, delays in receiving financial support, poverty, and, in extreme cases, death. RISKS FACED BY VETERANS Wisconsin is home to over 371,000 veterans. The vast majority are over 60 years old. The largest group served
Veteran’s Benefits and Bankruptcy Read More »
We live in a connected world. Facebook, SnapChat, Tik Tok, LinkedIn, Instagram. The manner in which people socialize online is nearly endless. This web of interconnected posts, likes and online friendships creates a substantial risk of bias and conflicts of interest in our court systems. The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently waded into the tangled web of online
Sliding Into Your Judge’s DMs Read More »
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