Andrew R. Rutz

Areas of Practice

Andrew Rutz is dedicated to helping veterans and their dependents throughout the country to obtain disability and other benefits from the VA for various conditions/disabilities including but not limited to the following:

• Mental disorders including post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and related symptoms including but not limited to headaches, memory and concentration problems, and other behavioral and neurological symptoms.
• Disabilities from exposure to Agent Orange including diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, etc . . . and various types of cancer including prostate, skin, lymph node and respiratory cancers.
• Physical injuries from blasts including shall fragment wounds, muscle wounds and scars.
• Other physical injuries including bone fractures, back and neck injuries.
• Various diseases including but not limited Hepatitis.

Military Experience

In addition to his work helping veterans, Drew is an experienced lawyer in the United States Army JAG Corp currently serving as Defense Counsel in the 154th Legal Support Organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. He defends those who defend the country by representing Soldiers in administrative and criminal proceedings. Drew also deployed and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Deputy Command Judge Advocate for Area Support Group, Kuwait in 2007 and 2008. Prior to becoming an officer, Drew served on active duty in the enlisted ranks in the Army Corp of Engineers as an E-4 combat engineer Team Leader in A Co., 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The active Army honorably discharged him in 1998, and Drew joined the reserves. Drew provides sound advice to Soldiers facing Medical Evaluation Boards, employment termination, and financial difficulties as a result of their deployments in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Drew also served in the 91st Legal Support Organization in Indianapolis, Indiana drafting wills and powers of attorney for Soldiers enroute to Iraq or Afghanistan. His awards include:

Meritorious Service Medal
Army Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device (M denotes Mobilization)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon

Civilian Legal Experience

Since graduating from the Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, Drew has worked both in the private sector and government. His experience includes litigating cases ranging from criminal defense trials to one million dollar property tax appeals.

Volunteer Work

Drew serves on the Huntington Optimists Club Board and participates in the Lincoln Elementary School Buddy Program. He also provides financial support to various veteran related charitable organizations. He volunteers with local homeless veteran shelters in order to assist and educate veterans regarding disability benefits. Drew also steps forward to volunteer as an Ombudsmen with Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), an organization that helps guarantee the employment rights of military servicemembers.

Education

Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin
Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington
Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course