The UIC Law Library guide on Free Internet Legal Research is designed to present alternatives to fee-based research databases. While you may not have access to subscription databases, there are many free legal research resources available online now. Consult this guide for links to free primary and secondary resources, as well as case law.
The Veterans' Benefits and Issues Primary Source page will identify and briefly discuss the statutes and regulations covering select military servicemembers' and veterans' laws for employment, education, death benefits, and disability issues. Most veterans-related statutes delegate authority to the VA to pass regulations to administer veterans programs.
For veterans' claims legal issues (e.g., disability benefits/education benefits), this guide will identify resources for case law and administrative decisions. For a collection of major Veterans' statutes and regulations, consult the NVLSP's Federal Veterans Laws, Rules, and Regulations.
States also pass laws that establish Veterans' Benefits. For example, Illinois created programs promoting veterans' employment and long-term care for applicable veterans. Another great program is the Illinois Veterans Grant, which will pay for 120 credit hours of education at any state school. For more information on key Illinois benefits and programs, consult the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs book, State of Illinois Benefits for Veterans.
At the UIC Law Library, patrons can research federal statutes using the United States Code, the Statutes at Large, the United States Code Annotated, and the United States Codes Services. If you are also interested in the legislative history of veterans' laws, you can consult the Federal Legislative History Research LibGuide, which provides an overview of the legislative history research process and the sources available at the library.
Military Servicemember and Veterans' law researchers should consult the applicable regulations while confronted with a veterans' federal law issue. The VA is one of the largest government administrative bodies. Most veterans' law delegates authority to the VA to pass regulations to administer veterans' programs. The regulations will often provide guidance on administrative procedures, legal standards, and applicable duties. The UIC Law Library patrons can research veteran regulatory law in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the Federal Register.
The VA's Web Automated Reference Material Site (WARMS) serves as a collection of VA Manuals, VA forms, links to Code of Federal Regulations sections on veterans law, and pamphlets to advertise veterans benefits. The manuals are written for VA claims officers, attorneys, and adjudicators. Still, these manuals are useful to veterans and advocates who want to learn more about the VA administrative process. Key manuals include: