Veterans Crisis Line – Chat Online, Text 838255, or Call 988, then Press 1
The Veterans Legal Services Clinic seeks to honor former servicemembers by providing client-centered and trauma-informed advocacy on behalf of those who have endured service-related injuries. Students in the clinic work with our veteran clients under the supervision of a VA-accredited attorney.
Arkansas is home to more than 202,000 veterans, of whom more than 30,000 reside in Pulaski County. Bowen students in the clinic help veterans navigate the VA appeal process related to disability compensation. The clinic also helps veteran survivors of trauma with requests to upgrade their discharge status. Additionally, the clinic connects veterans to attorneys and organizations who have agreed to provide assistance for free or at a reduced rate. We engage in community outreach and serve as a resource center for veterans and their families throughout Arkansas. Students interested in taking the clinic can find more information online.
Please understand that completing an application for our services does not guarantee that the clinic can take your case. Therefore, you must continue to attend all court dates and meet all VA-imposed deadlines and other responsibilities while we are reviewing your completed form.
Our Services
VA Disability Compensation Appeals
The clinic represents veterans in appeals to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. We advocate for veterans who suffered a traumatic injury, including military sexual trauma, during service and who are seeking VA disability compensation as a result. Due to high demand for our services and limited resources to provide them, we are currently not accepting new requests for assistance within the clinic. We hope to resume applications in 2025. For self-help information, please see the “VA Appeals” tab on our Resources page.
Discharge Upgrade Assistance
For some veterans, a less than fully honorable discharge is connected to Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) or other trauma-related condition that resulted from their military service. We help these veterans with upgrade petitions to the discharge review boards. Due to high demand for our services and limited resources to provide them, we are currently not accepting new requests for assistance within the clinic. We hope to resume applications in 2025. In the meantime, please see the “Discharge Upgrades” tab on our Resources page for self-help information.
Pro Bono Referrals and Resource Center
Through our Pro Bono Services Center, we assist veterans with issues beyond our in-house expertise. We provide a number of free resources through our website. Also, we refer veterans to lawyers and organizations who may be able to help them for free or at a low cost. To see if we can place your case with a volunteer lawyer, please complete this form.
