The Veterans Law Office of Katrina J. Eagle

05/26/2026

We're looking forward to attending this year’s National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) Annual Conference in Reno, Nevada.

We have been honored to be associated with NACVSO for well over a decade, leading both the Advanced Appeals and Certified Veterans Advocate (CVA) training programs. NACVSO represents the gold standard in professional development for Veteran Service Officers, consistently fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and shared purpose. Each conference brings together nearly 1,000 advocates from across the country who are deeply committed to improving outcomes for veterans and their families. It is a uniquely collaborative environment where practical knowledge, experience, and mentorship are freely exchanged. We consistently find that we learn as much as we teach.

This year, we are proud to be once again leading the two-day CVA training, presiding over the CVA graduation ceremony, and presenting to more than 1,000 advocates on the topic of TDIU. The CVA program represents a higher standard of training for dedicated Veteran Service Officers, equipping them with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to support claimants beyond traditional claims and appeals work.

We look forward to reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new advocates, and continuing to strengthen the impact of this exceptional organization and the community it serves.

05/04/2026

We're headed to Florida this week to train CVSOs from across the Sunshine State. These conferences are always a highlight for us. The passion these advocates bring to serving veterans and their families, and their hunger to keep learning, is genuinely inspiring. In our view, VSOs are the backbone of veterans advocacy, and we couldn't be prouder to work alongside them.

04/01/2026

We're excited to be back this week leading the Advanced Appeals Course for NACVSO-accredited County Veterans Service Officers.

We offer this course twice a year, and it never gets old. The appeals landscape has changed dramatically since the Appeals Modernization Act took effect in 2019, and CVSOs who represent veterans before both the VA regional office and the Board of Veterans Appeals need to be operating at the highest level possible.

This week's participants are exactly the kind of dedicated advocates veterans deserve, and we're looking forward to digging into the material with them.

If you're a CVSO looking to sharpen your appeals knowledge, keep an eye out for the next session. The veterans in your community are counting on you, and we're here to help you show up ready.

12/02/2025

We're thrilled to lead the upcoming National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) Certified Veterans Advocate (CVA) class.

Over the past decade, we’ve had the privilege of teaching hundreds of CVA students and celebrating the graduation of so many outstanding professionals. These graduates truly represent the best of the best.

The CVA program is an advanced certification course designed specifically for experienced, highly motivated CVSOs. Participants commit to multiple training sessions and must successfully pass a rigorous final exam to graduate and earn the title of Certified Veterans Advocate.

This program equips CVSOs with a specialized skill set that extends far beyond filing claims, Supplemental Claims, or Higher-Level Reviews. Training also addresses complex and comprehensive claims, preparing officers to analyze VA Benefit Decisions and develop the most effective strategies for their claimants.

Quite simply, CVA graduates are elite CVSOs—uniquely prepared to advocate at the highest level on behalf of veterans.

We are especially proud that many CVA graduates—though not required—continue to attend CVA classes after graduation, further sharpening their expertise and continuously improving their skills.

11/10/2025

We're excited to be leading the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers Advanced Appeals training this week.

We’re often asked why we take time to train VSOs. After all, aren’t they our “competition”? We don’t see it that way. Not even close. We believe that when veterans are supported, whether by a VSO, an attorney, or on their own, everyone wins. It takes a village to navigate this system, and well-trained VSOs are the heart of that village.

In our practice, we only take on cases where we can truly add value through our experience and legal expertise. And when a veteran or family member can get the benefits they’ve earned with the help of a VSO or without legal representation, we’re genuinely thrilled. We say it all the time: “You don’t need a lawyer right now—here’s what we suggest you do next.” And if VA doesn’t get it right, we’re here, ready to step in.

What matters most to us is the chance to touch more lives than we ever could on our own. Through our collaboration with VSOs across the country, we get to be part of something bigger - something that reaches far beyond our own caseload. That’s a privilege we don’t take lightly.

And truthfully, it’s personal. We’ve built lasting friendships with so many VSOs - people whose dedication, compassion, and grit inspire us every day. They are the lifeblood of veterans’ advocacy, and it’s a privilege to stand beside them.

Organizations like NACVSO and the many outstanding state associations we work with set the gold standard for service, leadership, and training. Their commitment to excellence uplifts the entire community, and we’re grateful for the chance to support their mission.

11/09/2025

While the PACT Act extended the presumption of exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) to Thailand, Guam, and a few other SEA countries for Veterans who served there during the Vietnam War, VA’s regulations and rules for Veterans who served in South Korea, particularly on or near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides North and South Korea, did not change. VA still only presumes certain military units were exposed to AO while serving on or near the Korea DMZ, and only if they served on the DMZ between Sept. 1, 1967 to Aug. 31, 1971. For all other Veterans who were sent to the Korea DMZ while being deployed to South Korea, they are still required to prove that they were exposed to herbicides on a direct, facts-found basis.

We are honored to represent many Veterans whose military service does not meet the presumptive criteria but have compelling facts and evidence to prove their case on a direct service-connection basis. One client filed his initial claim in 2016 and continuously pursued his benefits. Frustratingly, VBA personnel denied his claim by asserting that they needed “official documentation” of his service on or near the Korea DMZ — but that it not the law! Finally, last week, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals GRANTED his appeal, noting two key aspects of the evidence in his case: 1) his photographs and sworn testimony were extremely compelling; and 2) VA’s absence of evidence was not a proper basis to deny his claim.

We are thrilled and relieved that this Veteran will finally be vindicated and receive his service-connected benefits for his debilitating and incurable medical condition. We share this case as a reminder to all Veterans and their families whose claims have been wrongly denied: NEVER GIVE UP on your righteous case!

10/21/2025

We're honored to continue serving as training consultants for the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO).

At this week’s CACVSO Fall Training Conference, we’ll be leading in-depth sessions on a crucial topic: Maximizing Benefits by Securing the Earliest Possible Effective Date.

Why is this so important? Because, in our experience, the VA’s recurring errors in assigning effective dates have cost veterans and their families millions of dollars in lost benefits—losses that are both preventable and correctable.

Our goal is to empower County Veterans Service Officers with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize and challenge these errors, ensuring every veteran and their family receives the full benefits they have rightfully earned.

09/24/2025

We had the privilege of once again spending time with an inspiring group of veteran students at Miramar College. Their energy, resilience, and commitment to growth always leaves us humbled and grateful.

A heartfelt thank you to the Miramar College Student Veterans Organization for welcoming us back. It’s an honor to be part of your incredible community!

09/18/2025

This lawsuit raises serious concerns. If the allegations hold up, it could signal potential risks for veterans—both in terms of benefits and trust in the system.

On September 4, 2025, District Judge William Osteen Jr., of the Middle District of North Carolina rejected defendants’ motion to dismiss, and held that a federal False Claims Act lawsuit which Cohen…

09/05/2025

Sometimes our office battles VA for years to secure justice—but rarely does the fight stretch across a full decade. In this case, it did.
Our client has lived with Parkinson’s Disease for over 15 years, the result of toxic exposure during his military service. He spent five of those years fighting VA alone before entrusting us with his claim in July 2015. For the past ten years, we’ve fought alongside him—relentlessly, strategically, and with unwavering resolve.
Today, we prevailed.
This victory is a testament to the power of persistence when the cause is just. After 15 long years, this veteran is finally vindicated. He and his family will now receive the financial support and medical care they so deeply need and deserve.
Congratulations to this remarkable veteran and his loved ones. It’s a good day—and a reminder that justice, though delayed, is never out of reach when you refuse to give up.

07/16/2025

We were honored to join the NACVSO conference in Louisville this week—it was an inspiring experience connecting with nearly 1,000 Veteran Advocates from across the country.

One of the true highlights was leading the Certified Veterans Advocate (CVA) training and celebrating the achievements of 10 new CVA graduates. The CVA certification represents advanced training for highly skilled and dedicated Veteran Service Officers. Through this program, VSOs develop elevated competencies that empower them to support claimants far beyond standard claim and appeal assistance.

Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates—we’re proud to stand beside you in service.