Tidbits

LVMAC Tidbit — Valley’s Top Healthcare Execs Bless “Healthcare in Our Community” Initiative as Active Partners

Lehigh Valley’s Health Care Executives Met July 19 Regarding Military/Veteran Health Care

On July 19, 2012, after six months of collaboration with representatives from all the major health care providers in the Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) hosted a luncheon meeting at Northampton Community College to present a “Health Care in Our Community” project status report.  The following chief executive officers of the Lehigh Valley’s hospitals attended this historic gathering: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Valley’s Health Care Executives Will Meet July 19 Regarding Military/Veterans Health Care

Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council to Update on “Health Care in Our Community” Initiative

On July 19, after six months of collaboration with representatives from all the major health care providers in the Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) will host a luncheon meeting to present a “Health Care in Our Community” project status report. The chief executive officers of all the Valley’s hospitals will attend this historic gathering. [Editor’s Note:  This is not an event open to the public but a business meeting for those who have partnered through LVMAC.] (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Veterans Sanctuary: Closed Up for Good?

Treatment Trends Announces Suspension of Operations

It is with profound dismay that the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council informs you of Veterans Sanctuary’s suspension of operations. It was our only local, long-term residential addiction and PTSD services treatment facility exclusively dedicated to military veterans. This important asset to our veterans statewide is no longer accepting clients. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Older Vets Retraining Assistance Update

“VOW to Hire Heroes” Act’s Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP) About to Begin Accepting Applications

This is an update to the 28 March article.  Short story is:

  1. Applications will accepted starting 15 May but the application form is still unknown;
  2. High demand occupations the program will support are now specified;
  3. One can now sign up to receive personalized email notifications to keep abreast;
  4. Competition can expected to be heavy considering the number of slots available and the state of the economy — get up early and get there first.

And here is the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Sign Up for “Salute to the Troops” Dinner

Ninth Annual Dinner to be Held to  Honor Our Military Service Members

The entire community is invited to participate with the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) and the City Allentown in an event which brings together active military, ROTC, veterans, elected officials and the general public for an evening filled with thanks and appreciation for those who serve in our military. Local service men and women and Gold Star mothers attend free of charge through sponsorships by organizations, businesses and individuals from around the Lehigh Valley. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Talk DBQ (Not English) to Your Doctor

VA Expands Medical Forms Program to Support Faster Claims Processing

Previously, we have reported upon the importance of asking the doctor examining you during a compensation claim if he has reviewed the medical information found in your claims file (c-file) before he starts examining you and follow-on steps to be taken if he/she has not.

On the heels of it, the Department of Veterans Affairs has announced the adding of sixty-eight, new forms to help speed the processing of disability compensation and pension claims. This now brings the total number of  these documents known as Disability Benefits Questionnaires (or DBQs for short) to 71. The purpose of the initiative is to better guide physicians in properly completing their reports of medical findings to ensure the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA — the Regional Office located in Philadelphia in our case) has exactly the medical information needed to make a prompt decision. Each questionnaire addresses a specific set of conditions and associated symptoms for diagnosis. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — First Question to Ask in a Medical C&P Exam

VVA Warns Vets to Get Smart About Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examinations

The Vietnam Veterans of America wants you to know the first question the veteran should ask the VA doctor is, “Have you had a chance to review my claim file?”    If the answer is no, the veteran should ask the doctor to first review the claim file. The veteran should only proceed with the exam after the doctor has reviewed all the information the veteran has submitted and VA has received regarding the claim (the claim file or c-file). (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — New DAV Service Officer in Town

Disabled American Veterans Re-establish Local Service in the Lehigh Valley

Carmen DeSanti, the chairman of the state’s Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Service Officer Program (the national organization separately provides national service officers at the Philadelphia VA Regional Office), is reestablishing direct, face-to-face service for Lehigh Valley veterans who wish to use the DAV for their Power of Attorney on a disability compensation or pension claim, or to seek benefits advice. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — DAV Van Driver Wanted

Wilkes-Barre VA Volunteer Transportation System Seeks Bangor Clinic Driver

The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council needs the help of the community in finding volunteer drivers for the Northampton County (Bangor) Department of Veterans (VA) Affairs Outpatient Clinic.  The use of this free transportation service, manned by volunteers, for medical appointments at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is important to the care of veterans in the upper Northampton County area.

Leonard Croop, the Hospital Service Coordinator for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, is seeking at least one driver to continue the van service begun in 2007.  Otherwise, the service must cease. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago