Letitia James joins 34-State crusade for veterans’ education rights

April 18, 2023 Robert Abruzzese

New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Photo: Brittainy Newman/AP

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Attorney General Letitia James is taking a stand for veterans’ rights, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case of Rudisill v. McDonough.

As part of a bipartisan coalition of 34 attorneys general, James is calling for the nation’s highest court to hear the case which involves decorated U.S. Army veteran James Rudisill, who is currently being denied his Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits.

Attorney General James emphasizes the importance of supporting veterans who have protected the nation’s freedoms and safety. “Our veterans stepped up to protect our freedoms and safety, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid,” said James.

James Rudisill, a decorated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, completed his undergraduate degree using the Montgomery GI Bill benefits and returned to the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer. He received the Bronze Star for his service and was later accepted into Yale Divinity School. However, when Rudisill sought to use the expanded educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) denied his request, claiming he was only entitled to the more limited Montgomery program benefits.

Despite Rudisill’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the VA’s decision was upheld. If the Supreme Court does not address this issue, thousands of veterans could be denied the educational benefits they earned while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“Our veterans stepped up to protect our freedoms and safety, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid,” said Attorney General James. “The petitioner in this case, U.S. Army veteran James Rudisill, like thousands of other veterans, served our nation with distinction, and he has earned the educational benefits provided through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. I am proud to work with this bipartisan group of attorneys general to try and right this wrong before more veterans are denied the benefits they deserve.”

Attorney General James has consistently prioritized advocating for veterans and their families. In recent years, she has helped recover millions of dollars for servicemembers and veterans who were defrauded by businesses, shut down fraudulent fundraising operations targeting veterans, and issued consumer alerts to protect veterans from scams.