Veteran Testimonial

LONG BEACH, Calif. – When Chad Lloyd first walked into the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach in 2022, he wasn’t expecting to see a lifeline. But that’s exactly what he found.

“I first ran into [Veterans Legal Institute’s] flyer when I was walking through the VA in 2022,” said Lloyd, a former 8404 Navy corpsman who served from 2005 to 2013. “They helped me put together a claim for a higher-level review.”

Veterans Legal Institute (VLI) is a pro bono law firm that provides free and life changing legal services to low income veterans.

Lloyd’s challenges began when he tried to file his own VA disability claim through a local Veterans Service Organization (VSO). “The claim was mediocre at best and was denied,” he recalled. “I knew that I had medical issues I needed to rectify and things I felt I deserved and earned.”

That denial marked the start of a long legal battle.

The VA’s claim process can be daunting—particularly for someone already dealing with existing issues. After Lloyd’s first high-level review was denied, he turned to VLI. That’s when he was introduced to attorneys Doug Tennant & Nancy Jones, who helped turn things around.

“Doug was able to look through the VA claim and see that there were holes in the VA’s judgment and some mistakes,” Lloyd said. “He put together a new high-level review, and we were able to have much better success.”

But that success didn’t come overnight.

“It was a three-year process,” said Lloyd. “There’s no way I could have won this battle on my own. VLI was that knight in shining armor to get me over the finish line.”

Like many veterans, Lloyd struggled with the absence of documentation in his service record because going to medical wasn’t part of the military culture he lived in.

“You know, we’re always taught to keep our mouth shut and just go to work and not complain,” he explained. “That’s just the way it was. Nothing was ever wrong—even though there were things wrong—because it could stop you from training, from being there for your fellow Marines.”

This deeply ingrained mentality would later create obstacles in filing his claim. But VLI knew how to help.

“Nancy helped initially and then Doug finalized it by getting buddy statements and making sure they were documented, signed, and notarized. That extra work and extra step helped put the cherry on top.”

Despite the effort, Lloyd faced repeated rejections. “There were moments of doubt,” he said. “With the first claim being denied, I was already feeling defeated.”

Then Veterans Legal Institute’s Doug Tennant stepped in.

“He kind of gave me some light and hope,” Lloyd said. “He said, ‘There’s clear holes. We have all the necessary information to make this claim a success.’”

That hope turned into results in March 2025, when the VA finally approved Lloyd’s claim.

That approval marked more than just legal victory—it was life-changing.

“Now that this is done, I no longer have the stress of checking my VA app every morning, wondering if the paperwork has moved,” Lloyd said. “Now I can focus on my mental state, on just trying to be healthy and spend time with my family.”

The impact extended to his education. “My grades in school have improved,” he added. “Before, it was hard to be in the moment or to be a part of daily activities with my family, when I was constantly worried.”

Today, Lloyd is on track to complete his associate degree at Coastline College, has been approved for VA Vocational Rehabilitation, and is planning to transfer to a university in the spring.

“Working part time and going to school full time, I’m able to provide for my family like I was working full time,” he said. “That’s been a blessing.”

To other veterans navigating the VA system, Lloyd has a message:

“Trust the process. Allow time. Filing a claim with the VA can be very time-consuming,” he said. “It might even feel like it’s designed to deter you. But just like your time in service, fill out your paperwork, be patient, and allow [VLI] to do the work for you.”

He added: “Just know good things are coming. You’re in good hands.”

Lloyd served in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from July 2011 to May 2012, as part of the 232nd Medical Battalion—an Army billet staffed by approximately 300 Navy personnel from across the country. As a Navy corpsman (8404), he provided frontline medical support to Marines during his deployment.

Now, he’s focused on recovery, school, and family.

“I just feel more dialed in. I feel like more of a provider now. Before, I didn’t feel like I was doing what I needed to for my family,” Lloyd said. “Now everything’s lining up—and I couldn’t be happier.”