Department of Veterans Affairs

LVMAC Tidbit: Updated Eligibility Requirements for Blue Water Navy Claims

“The Department of Veterans Affairs will soon mail letters to Blue Water Navy veterans and survivors who were previously denied benefits. The letters provide updated eligibility requirements approved in the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, the paperwork required of a veteran or survivor, and available resources to assist in the claims process. The law says that veterans who served offshore of the Republic of Vietnam from 1962-1975 are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful herbicides. Exposure to these herbicides have been linked to a list of several harmful medical conditions: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Wilkes-Barre Holds First VA Healthcare Enrollment Fair in Allentown

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to Host VA Enrollment Fair in Allentown

 VA Enrollment Fair, Thursday, October 24th from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Allentown Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 3110 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown, PA 18103.

A Veteran’s eligibility for health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is based on a variety of criteria related to their service.  Although not all Veterans are eligible for VA health care, most Veterans who served on active duty with an other than dishonorable discharge are eligible to receive some level of care through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Just as VA Healthcare eligibility criteria changes over time, so may a Veteran’s eligibility for care.  A Veteran once deemed ineligible for VA health care may become eligible if they experience changes in income level, health, or suffer a catastrophic event. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Vet Center Counseling Now Available During Training or Drill Weekends for the Guard– BUT NOT SO MUCH IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 27 August the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had formalized a partnership with the Department of Defense formalized a partnership on 28 June between VA’s Vet Centers and the National Guard Bureau, to provide Vet Center counseling, outreach staff and other services to members during training or drill weekends to decrease their suicide rate — a reputed problem in the Pennsylvania National Guard. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Veteran and Caregiver “Combined” App

App combines telehealth tools for faster service

By now everyone should know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in love with telehealth; moreover, telehealth apps.  One end result is a multiplicity of them.  On 13 August, the VA announced it had recently launched a new mobile application to save veterans and caregivers time online. It claims the VA Launchpad for Veterans simplifies and organizes several existing tools and resources at one convenient location — to help manage health care needs. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Law Suit Filed Over Delay in Blue Water Navy Claims Processing

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 22 July, the Military-Veterans Advocacy, a nonprofit legal organization which had a major role in overturning the VA’s decision not to process Blue Water Navy veterans’ Agent Orange claims through a remarkable legal action (Procopio vs. Wilkie), is now asking a federal judge to rescind a stay on Blue Water Navy claims processing imposed by Secretary Wilkie, aided and abetted by the U.S. Congress for good or ill. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago