Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Forward Observer — Regulation on Camp Lejeune’s Contaminated Drinking Water Presumptive Conditions Under Review.

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Finally on 9 September, after waiting nine months since the announcement it would do so and after announcing in August it was extending the period of consideration, the VA announced it has published proposed regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases affecting military members [and others] exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. (more…)

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Forward Observer — VA Expands Medical Reimbursement Period for Drinking Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 18 July the VA issued a final ruling which expanded eligibility for those who may have been affected by drinking contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.  The window of eligibility has been expanded by about two and a half years.  Previously, you must have been there from 1 January 1957 to 31 December 1987.

You may now be eligible for VA health benefits if you served on active duty or resided (family members) at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. (more…)

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Forward Observer — Vietnam War Commemorative Lapel Pins Available

But Who is Going to Distribute Them?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Are you aware that as part of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program,  living veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of the location at which they served, are eligible to receive a lapel pin?  The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants you to know.

The hitch is these lapel pins must be presented during public events held in their communities by Commemorative Partners (those organizations which signed up to conduct at least two commemorative events a year till 2018.  In the rare instance when an honoree cannot attend a public event, the pin may be presented during a private ceremony. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Don’t Know What to Do With Your Loved One’s Funeral Flag?

Use it for a Higher Purpose at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery

Lehigh County LogoThe Lehigh County Veterans Affairs Office is seeking donations of interment (casket) flags to be flown on the Avenue of Flags at the entrance to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Indiantown Gap National Cemetery located in the vicinity of Annville.  The donations of these flags has dwindled over the years and the continuous need has not been well known. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Vietnam War Observance

A Commemoration of the Vietnam War at the State Capitol

VietnamLogo_50th_Circle_3-27-12 FinalOn March 29 at 11 a.m. in Harrisburg, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is conducting a Vietnam War 50-year commemoration ceremony in the Rotunda of the State Capitol.

Besides the eight Vietnam-era, state legislators and a part of the National Guard establishment who will be there,  the President of the Pennsylvania State Council of Vietnam Veterans, Tom Haberkorn and a color guard from VVA Chapter 542 will be in attendance. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Commonwealth Creates a Veterans Registry to Help Connect Veterans to Services

PA DMVA Logo 2

 

 

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 17, 2015

 

Veterans Encouraged to Connect with DMVA for Assistance
With Obtaining Benefits, Services

Harrisburg, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs encourages Pennsylvania veterans to connect with them via their new online Pennsylvania Veterans Registry at www.register.dmva.pa.gov for assistance with obtaining veterans benefits and services. (more…)

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Forward Observer — The Spending of Your Veterans Trust Fund Donations

LVMAC Poster Art 2005In 2012 the Veterans Trust Fund was established in Pennsylvania.  We thought you might want to know how it is being used this year.

In 2015, fifty-five organizations applied for grants, the sum of which would have amounted to nearly $4.7 million in funding for veterans’ services and programs. Of these, ten grants were subsequently awarded.  Since all were competing for $350,000 in grant money, there is an implication: there are needs state government is failing to recognize through the usual means. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — A Women Veterans Symposium, First of Its Kind in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), under which the Office of Veterans Affairs is found,  is hosting its first Pennsylvania Women Veterans Symposium (PWVS) on March 8-10, 2013, at the Wyndham Hotel in Gettysburg.  All Pennsylvania women veterans, regardless of period of service, are welcome.

The symposium is geared to meet the needs of women veterans by providing them with information and resources, to include VA benefits and health care.  Important guest speakers will be featured, as well as breakout sessions on a variety of topics of particular interest to women veterans.  The event will also provide an opportunity to meet fellow vets and build camaraderie. (more…)

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