News Blog

Forward Observer — Heads Up … VA Seeks to Expand TBI Benefits

VA SEEKING TO PROMULGATE A REGULATORY CHANGE IN HOW IT HANDLES SECONDARY ILLNESSES

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 7 December 2012 (Pearl Harbor Day), the Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing to change its disability compensation rating rules to  add five diagnosable illnesses which are secondary to service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It would improve the timeliness of decisions.  To accomplish this, the VA proposes to add a new subsection to its adjudication regulation by revising 38 CFR 3.310 to state that if a Veteran who has a service-connected TBI also has one of the five illnesses, then the illness will be considered service connected as secondary to the TBI. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — McKenrick Talks About a New VA Regional Office

Newspaper Logo 70%In This Issue:

  • The New Director of the Philadelphia VA Regional Office Introduces Himself to the Council
  • Community Educational Outreach’s Journey of Discovery Reaches Its End
  • Changing Our Stripes in Employment
  • Health Care in Our Community is at a Critical Stage in Its Development
  • Adam Keys Smart Home Build May or May Not Continue
  • A New Program Director Has Been Found for the Visitation Program
  • LVMAC is on a Mission to Recruit All the Area’s Universities and Colleges
  • Finally, Something Significant Out of State Government

The New Director of the Philadelphia VA Regional Office Introduces Himself to the Council

Robert McKenrick, the relatively new Director of the newly reorganized Philadelphia VA Regional Office of the Veterans Benefits Administration, spoke to the Council at its business meeting on 21 November. He brought along Eileen Kostic, Manager of the Veterans Service Center, and Leroy Saunders, a Military Services Coordinator.  Mr. McKenrick is a current war veteran from the Army Reserve.

Recently what was known as the VA Regional Office and Insurance Center (VARIOC) split (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans Day Discounts for 2012 and Pennsylvania’s Act 176 of 2012

We frequently get calls about Veterans discount programs.  On Veterans Day, in particular, businesses often discount goods, services and dining at their establishments as a token of appreciation for our our veterans and servicemembers, as well as their families.  One of the more complete and maintained sources is found at Military.com.  Click here for Veterans Day offerings.

By the way, Pennsylvania’s Governor on 24 October signed into law House Bill 2428 as Act 176 of 2012.  Its importance? (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — A Very Special Veterans Event

What:              Veterans Day Event Celebration
Where:            Veterans Sanctuary, 24 South Fifth Street, Allentown PA
When:             Saturday, November 10, 1-3 p.m.

Join the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC), Treatment Trends and Warrior Songs as we celebrate military veterans on Saturday, November 10, from 1-3 p.m. at the Veterans Sanctuary in Allentown. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — Thrivent Foundation Wishes to Work with LVMAC

THRIVENT FINANCIAL WANTS TO GET INVOLVED IN ASSISTING VETERANS

Newspaper Logo 70%Messrs. Rick Baldwin, Community Engagement Coordinator, Tom Knauer and Michael Colson, the regional point of contact, of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans addressed the Council at its 26 September business meeting.  Although there is no chapter specific to the Lehigh Valley, there are about 107,287 members in 53 chapters throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Consequently, it might play a huge role to the benefit of veterans in our valley.  This is what their talk centered around. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — NCC Tribute to the Troops Dedication

You are invited to join the Band of Brothers, Northampton Community College’s (NCC) veterans organization, for the dedication of  the recently completed Veterans Plaza in the Susan K. Kubik Tribute Garden at 11:30 a.m. on 1 November 2012. The Tribute Garden is between Penn and Commonwealth Halls on the NCC Main Campus at 3835 Green Pond Road in Bethlehem. A free luncheon hosted by the NCC Alumni Association will follow the dedication. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbits — Upcoming LVMAC Council Speakers

26 September 2012:  Mr. Rick Baldwin, Community Engagement Leader, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, on “Gaining an Understanding of Thrivent’s Veterans Benevolent Program.”

17 October 2012: Ms. Kristy Gehman (Dir. of Core and Housing Services) and Mr. Eladio Gonzalez (Community Support Coordinator) of LVCIL will speak on “Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living and Its Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program”

21 November 2012: Mr. Robert Kendrick, the new Director of the Philadelphia VA Regional Office (VBA), will give a VBA update.

19 December 2012: Ms. Aruna Bhatia, MD, Chief of Mental Health and Behavioral Service, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center will speak on “Mental Health Services in the VA.” (more…)

By LVMAC, ago