Va lawyers help Iraq, Afghanistan vets

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia lawyers are pitching in to help Iraq and Afghanistan veterans obtain benefits or resolve other legal issues.

Volunteer lawyers are donating their services to veterans through a Virginia Bar Association initiative. The lawyers help veterans who have problems concerning benefits, disabilities and discharges.

Several law firms also are providing legal help.

Erin L. Barrett with the Hunton & Williams law firm in Richmond tells the Richmond Times Dispatch that veterans often are unable to navigate a complex system to obtain their benefits.

Colleges and universities also are stepping up. The College of William and Mary's law school established the Lewis B. Puller Veterans Benefits Clinic in 2008 to provide legal and psychological aid to veterans.

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com