Extended Exposure:Advising Veterans of Federal Criminal Jurisdiction Over In-Service Conduct

The Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 2000 (MEJA) was primarily crafted to establish federal criminal jurisdiction over civilians employed by or accompanying the armed forces outside of the United States.9 This includes (1) civilian employees, (2) contractors and subcontractors, and (3) employees of contractors and subcontractors.10 Dependents of members of the armed forces and those “employed by the Armed Forces” also fall under the act’s jurisdiction. This article discuss various aspects of the MEJA

Will Montana Breathe Life into Its Positive Constitutional Right to Equal Educational Opportunity?

Will Montana Breathe Life Into Its Positive Constitutional Right to Equal Educational Opportunity

The Role of Culture in Advocating for Accurate Diagnosis and Rating of Veterans\u27 Psychological Disabilities

This article builds on our understanding by focusing on the specific context of veterans who have psychological disability claims in the VA disability system. This is a context in which culturally aware communication can be of critical importance to the outcome of a veteran’s claim and future livelihood. This article does not presume to advise mental health professionals on cross-cultural counseling practices. Much has already been written on that subject, including in the legal context.18 It also does not attempt to answer the empirical question of how culturally un-informed assessment impacts diagnosis, for instance whether it results in over-diagnosis, under-diagnosis, or misdiagnosis of psycholorgical disabilities. Instead, this article proposes that the intersection of culture and mental health is a uniquely important topic of conversation and development for lawyers representing veterans with psychological disability claims. The first section provides a brief overview of psychological disability claims in the Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation and Pension system. The second explores how culture interacts with mental health and the implications of this interaction on psychological diagnosis and treatment. After reviewing some important illustrations of culture’s impact on diagnosis in the VA, the article identifies points in the VA disability claims process where veterans’ advocates who are aware of and educated in their clients’ cultural backgrounds and identities may advocate for culturally sensitive psychological diagnosis, disability rating, and treatment

A New Way for Lawyers to Assist Veterans

This article addresses the ever-increasing need for knowledgeable and effective veterans\u27 advocates, and in particular, for veterans in Montana. The author notes that Montana Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) have demonstrated, effective representation can significantly increase a veteran\u27s chance at submitting a successful benefits claim and nearly double a veteran\u27s ultimate compensation. The author encourages Montana attorneys to come alongside Montana\u27s VSOs to meet the legal needs of those who have served and are currently serving our country overseas and at home