This is a collection of 11 presentations from our 2026 Fall Conference held September 17-19, 2026. Please find descriptions of the videos included below.

Recent Court Cases and How to Use Them
Presenters: Adam Luck, Esq and Amy Odom, Esq.
Running Time: 1.5 Hour
This presentation reviews recent court decisions impacting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims. It categorizes key legal developments across major themes, including Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) procedures, attorney and agent fees, Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) and CAVC jurisdiction, class actions, and evidence standards.

Beyond the Basics of Service Connection
Presenters: Virginia Girard, Esq and Christine Clemens, Esq.
Running Time: 1.3 Hour
This presentation delivers an in-depth guide on advanced legal frameworks within Department of Veterans Affairs disability claims. It details key rating evaluation rules—including combined rating calculations, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), the duty to maximize benefits, effective dates, and dependent educational assistance. Furthermore, the material outlines tactical approaches for handling VA overpayment debts, requesting waivers, and selecting among Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) decision review lanes.

Securing & Understanding Access to VBMS & Other VA Systems
Presenters: Kelsey Craveiro, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation outlines how accredited representatives and affiliated legal staff obtain remote access to VA systems via the Citrix Access Gateway using a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card.

Representing Veterans & Caregivers for Family Caregiver Benefits
Presenters: Renee Burbank, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation details the Department of Veterans Affairs' Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC). It explains program enrollment statistics, tier and level stipend calculations tied to General Schedule pay scales, and eligibility criteria involving Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Supervision, Protection, or Instruction (SPI)

Continuity of Symptomatology - A Practical Pathway to Service Connection (38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b))
Presenters: Brett Buchanan, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation outlines a practical framework for VA advocates using 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b) to establish service connection through continuity of symptomatology when in-service chronicity is lacking.

SMC(l) & Climbing the A&A Ladder
Presenters: James March, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation provides a comprehensive guide to Department of Veterans Affairs Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) and Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefits. It breaks down specific statutory categories including SMC(k) for loss of use, SMC(s) for housebound status, and higher-level A&A options under SMC(l), (r), and (t).

VA Benefits for National Guard Members & Reservists
Presenters: Donnel Beckles, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation details how National Guardsmen and Reservists establish qualifying active service to receive Title 38 VA benefits. It contrasts Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) with Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA), explaining how VA coverage differs for diseases versus injuries depending on the specific duty status.

CAVC Appeal, Supplemental Claim, or Both: Strategizing With Your Client
Presenters: Stephanie Costello, Esq., and Courtney Ross, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation explores strategic options after a Board of Veterans' Appeals decision, detailing when to appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) based on legal errors, statutory review standards, and situations where the record is complete without new evidence.

DEA, P&T, and Ancillary Benefits
Presenters: Megan Kondrachuk, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation outlines the legal criteria, VA rating concepts, and appeal procedures for establishing Permanent and Total (P&T) disability status. It details key family and healthcare benefits tied to disability ratings, including Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance, CHAMPVA medical coverage, and the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.

When the Opinion Writes Itself: Medical Exam Adequacy and AI-Generated Evidence at the CAVC
Presenters: Bradley Hennings, Esq.
Running Time: 1 Hour
This presentation examines how Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) medical adequacy doctrine applies to AI-generated evidence, highlighting where traditional assumptions of human clinician authorship and independent clinical judgment face pressure. It outlines the three primary pathways AI enters the claims ecosystem: private consumer AI nexus platforms, internal VA adjudicative automation, and algorithmic fraud-detection screening.

*This on demand program has been approved for CLE in Virginia.