News Blog

LVMAC Tidbit — Very First TBI Kinda, Sorta Presumptive Injury List is in Effect

Effective 16 January, a new regulation affecting those veterans living with Traumatic Brain Injury who also have Parkinson’s disease, certain types of dementia, depression, unprovoked seizures or certain diseases of the hypothalamus and pituitary glands takes effect.

From a recent VA news release, “If certain Veterans with service-connected TBI also have one of the five illnesses, then the second illness will also be considered as service connected for the calculation of VA disability compensation.”  The Institute of Medicine has concluded there is sufficient correlation to link these diseases with moderate or severe Traumatic Brain Injury.  Servicemembers who are within 180 days of discharge may also file a pre-discharge claim for TBI and these secondary conditions.

Others have reported this ruling as establishing five new presumptive conditions.  This is incorrect. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — New Edition of PTSD Booklet Available

PTSD Recovery Booklet Cover, 7th Edition, 2013To meet the demand, a reprinting of Stephanie Laite Lantham’s Veterans and Families’ Guide for Recovering from PTSD is now available upon request at no cost to those who want to learn more about PTSD and want to know how to help a loved one or a friend.  The booklet has also proven unexpectedly useful to the local judiciary and municipalities as well.

“The Guide” was at one time distributed by the Military Order of Purple Heart (MOPH) to the VA Vet Centers in all 50 states. That’s how it came it first came to our attention.  We believed booklet could fulfill an additional, special need in our community if tailored to it. Fortunately, the author was willing to work with us. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Mini-Stand Down … Learning From Others

LVMAC Poster Art 2005They say you can always learn from others.  While it is a bit out of our area of operations, we think the 16 November Mini Stand Down in the Reading area is something about to which to take note.  (Rumor has it there will be one at the Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic in the near future by another organization.  Nothing official has come from the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center network to us.)   As the cold weather approaches, such events for veterans who are homeless and perhaps living on the streets take on added significance.  Kudos to Chapter G, 2nd Brigade Motorcycle Club for taking on this duty … and not just for the first time.  See the flyer attached. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — The “Vet” Question

LVMAC_Circular_w_Motto 2013 (Backgroundless)Healthcare Providers Seek to Identify Veterans to Improve Their Care

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA; November 6, 2013 – An alliance of every hospital in the Lehigh Valley, created by the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) in 2011, is announcing an initiative to identify veterans during the hospital registration process.  Much in the same way patients are asked if they feel safe in their home, all adult patients soon will be asked whether they are a veteran.  Completion is targeted for 31 March 2014. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago