Because No Veteran Should Have to Fight Alone.

When Mr. Woodson returned home from his deployment in the First Gulf War, he carried with him the invisible cost of service. He had served in combat zones where burning oil fields filled the air with toxic smoke — exposure that would later lead to serious, long-term health complications. But the moment he stepped on American soil, his first priority was family. He went directly to visit his mother, who had become gravely ill while he was overseas.

What was meant to be a short visit turned into the final days of her life. On the advice of relatives, he stayed with her until she passed away, which caused him to miss his scheduled return-from-leave date. The very day she died, he turned himself in to the Army and requested to return to his unit, but instead of compassion, he was issued an Other-Than-Honorable discharge. That single administrative decision, rooted not in misconduct but in loyalty to his mother, would block him from accessing the veterans’ benefits his service should have guaranteed.

Years later, the medical effects of his deployment could no longer be denied. The toxic smoke he breathed near the burning oil fields had caused severe seizures and other disabling conditions, yet he was repeatedly denied VA benefits because of the discharge he received under extraordinary circumstances. That is when Mr. Woodson came to Legal Aid — not looking for a handout, but ready to fight for what he had earned.

For more than six years, he and his attorney worked side by side: gathering medical documentation, filing appeals, responding to denials, and rebuilding the claim each time the system tried to shut it down. A turning point came when they identified an exception that allows combat veterans with fewer than 180 days of AWOL to qualify for benefits. Mr. Woodson met the criteria, and they filed immediately.

After multiple appeals and finally securing a hearing, the outcome was transformative: a full 100% disability rating and a life-changing amount in back benefits, along with ongoing medical and financial support for the rest of his life. After years of being overlooked, Mr. Woodson was finally recognized - not just as a veteran, but as a veteran who served, sacrificed, and deserved justice.

This result was not quick and not easy. It was the product of persistence, partnership, and Mr. Woodson’s own unwavering resolve. He brought determination. His attorney brought legal strategy. Together, they changed the ending of a story that once seemed closed.

Justice, Long Overdue

“The decision to deny service connection…was clearly and unmistakably erroneous.”

From Mr. Woodson’s Award Letter from the Veterans Administration