Dawson is originally from Kinston, North Carolina. After graduating from high school, Dawson enlisted in the United States Navy for six years, serving as a CWS technician.
Dawson completed multiple overseas deployments onboard the USS Mitscher (DDG-57). After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Dawson attended North Carolina State University and graduated with a degree in Economics. Dawson then immediately enrolled in North Carolina Central University’s School of Law and graduated with academic honors.
After graduating from law school, Dawson represented clients in criminal and civil proceedings before accepting employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2014, working as a first-line decision-maker (Rating Veterans Service Representative) and later as an attorney with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals from August 2018 to December 2021.
While an attorney with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, Dawson wrote hundreds of decisions granting benefits in the most complicated cases that circulate within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, to include herbicide exposure (Agent Orange, other variants of herbicides), contaminated water claims, undocumented military sexual trauma, Gulf War claims, medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses, and complex high-level special monthly compensation (SMC) awards.
Dawson was presented with awards for his writing and for exemplifying a dedication to granting Veterans’ benefits.
Dawson is admitted to practice law in the State of North Carolina and is active within the National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates.