News Blog

LVMAC Tidbit: Lehigh County Seeks Applicants for the Position of Veterans Service Officer

Lehigh County must replace one of its full time veterans affairs employees immediately.   If you have the interest, brains and heart to become an accredited veterans service officer — one of the most sought-after qualifications in the complicated world of veterans affairs services — for the purpose of both assisting veterans in Lehigh County in knowing what benefits are available to them and in applying for them, this is the job you want.  Note that it is not a civil service position.


Job Name:  VETERANS’ SERVICES OFFICER I   Interested?
Location: Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs
Wage Type:  Hourly Rate:  Job Description below
Status: Full Time Wage Plus: N/A

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Forward Observer — Nehmer Decision Comes to Any Vietnam Veteran Exposed to Herbicides

VA to readjudicate past claims for possible herbicide exposure

On 14 May, the VA formally announced that military veterans who were previously denied service connection for an herbicide related presumptive condition due to lack of in-country Vietnam service will have their claims automatically readjudicated by VA.  “Readjudication means VA will review the evidence of record and provide replacement decisions in the cases of those who were previously denied service connection benefits,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Benefits Thomas Murphy.  The review also applies to eligible survivors of deceased Vietnam-era veterans, an issue of significance nowadays due to past VA delays. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: VA Pushing Automated Travel Claims

Brand-New Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS)

The Veterans Health Administration is urging those who seek travel reimbursement to use an automated, self-serve system through a newly released, six-part video series. See below. Hopefully they will not abuse those veterans who do not have access to the internet, something that is common in Pennsylvania, especially among the older veterans — but not necessarily so.

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Forwards Observer: New Law Expands Vaccine Access for Veterans and Families

All veterans, veteran spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients now have access to VA COVID-19 vaccination services under the SAVE LIVES Act

LVMAC Poster Art 2005There are longer, self-congratulatory articles on this elsewhere, but what follows is what you need to know:

On 24 March 2021, the president signed legislation into law expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to veterans and their families under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), following efforts from House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs leaders to improve the vaccine protocol. (more…)