Note: All attendees are encouraged to complete and submit a VA Form 21a to the
Department of Veterans Affairs as a prerequisite of the accreditation process. Simply go online and print a copy of the form for your use at: http://www4.va.gov/OGC/docs/Accred/VA21a.pdf).

Co-Sponsor:
Military and Veterans Law Section, State Bar of Georgia

Distinguished Guest Speaker:
Chief Judge William P. Greene, Jr. was appointed by the President of the United States as a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims on November 7, 1997. The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is a national court of record, established under Article I of the Constitution of the United States. The Court has exclusive jurisdiction to provide judicial review of final decisions by the Board of Veterans' Appeals, an entity within the Department of Veterans Affairs. There are seven active judges on the Court who have been appointed to serve 13 to 15-year appointments. Judge Greene was appointed for 15 years and assumed the responsibilities of the Chief Judge of the Court on August 8, 2005.

Presiding:
D. Kent Shelton, Program Co-Chair, Military/Veterans Law Section, State Bar of Georgia; D. Kent Shelton, P.C., Austell
Melinda K. Hart, Program Co-Chair, Military/Veterans Law Section, State Bar of Georgia; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta

7:45

Registration and Continental Breakfast
(All attendees must check in upon arrival. A jacket or sweater is recommended.)
8:25

WELCOME AND PROGRAM OVERVIEW
D. Kent Shelton
8:30

representation before VA
D. Kent Shelton
9:00

claims procedures
Victoria H. Watkins, Attorney at Law, Roswell
9:45

basic eligibility for va benefits
D. Kent Shelton
10:00
va healthcare system
D. Kent Shelton
10:15

break
10:30

right to appeal
George E. Bradford, Jr., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Regional Counsel, Decatur
11:00

disability compensation including
new rules of the VA
Drew N. Early, Lynch & Shewmaker LLC, Atlanta
11:30

dependency and indemnity compensation

* 38 USC Chapter 13

Drew N. Early
12:00
LUNCH (included in registration fee)
sponsored by King & Spalding, LLP
12:30

pensions

* 38 USC Chapter 15

James B. Swain, Swain Law Firm, Roswell
1:15
practice before court and professionalism
Hon. William P. Greene, Jr., Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Washington, DC
D. Kent Shelton
2:15
BREAK
2:30
implementing a practice focusing on va benefits
James B. Swain
3:30
ADJOURN