Serious Disability/Injury

LVMAC Tidbit: VA Caregiving Assistance is finally going to expand

Long overdue, the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), formerly reserved to only those who served during the “Global War on Terror” for improper reason, will expand sometime in October, with a launch date to be announced in mid-September.

PCAFC expansion will open up the program to eligible WWII, Korean and Vietnam Veterans. In addition, eligibility will change: veterans must have a single or combined VA service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher. This applies regardless of whether the disability is the result of an injury, illness or disease.

One welcomed addition is that family caregivers will also have access to financial planning,legal services in addition to robust educational and supportive services, such as workshops, self-care courses, a caregiver support line, psycho-educational group calls, and peer support mentoring. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Join in a Very Special Tribute to Freedom

The fourteenth annual Tribute to Our Freedom, to be held on 19 May 2019 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at its Macungie location (3801 Brookside Road), is an inspiring evening to honor and pray for our veterans.  This one is intended to honor Purple Heart recipients. There will be a color guard, armed forces medley, patriotic performances, a Purple Heart veterans presentation and hors d’oeuvres Meet & Greet following.  This evening is free and open to the entire community. At this moment, it is seeking Purple Heart veterans to honor (past and present) in two ways: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Schedule for Rating Hemic and Lymphatic Systems Meant to Ensure Consistent Decisons

VA LogoToday the the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had updated portions, of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule), effective December 9, 2018,  which evaluate the hematologic and lymphatic systems.

One diagnostic code was removed, nine were added, and several were restructured.  The complete list of updates to the rating schedule are now available online. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: DoD Erroneously Taxed Those It Medically Separated

The statement below is from the VFW’s 13 July Action Corps Weekly.  In the event this situation may applies to you, ensure you read the provided links for advice on how to proceed.  It is not widely known a special law, which went into effect in 2017,  was passed to help remedy the situation.  However, it has taken the Defense Department until now to determine which veterans were affected and how much they overpaid. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — Looking for a BraunAbility EnterVan?

LVMAC_Circular_w_Motto 2013 (Backgroundless)The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council is looking for a severely disabled veteran in need of a wheel-chair modified automobile.

A local member of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) has a 2010 Dodge modified Mini-Van for donation to a veteran residing in Lehigh or Northampton Counties.   This is the same type of vehicle provided by the VA to a wheel-chair bound, service-connected disabled veteran.  While the vehicle title transfer and licensing are provided at no charge,  the individual must be able to afford the insurance and upkeep. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: At Last! An Agent Orange Seminar for the General Public

VVA 415 AO Town Hall Flyer No. 2 19Sep2015Editor’s Note:  We wish to bring your attention to something we consider to be a very special event in the Lehigh Valley — a seminar on Agent Orange not only for veterans, but also their progeny and the general public.  Pennsylvania VVA Chapter 415 of the Vietnam Veterans of America is sponsoring it and is bringing in well-known, national-level speakers, some with academic credentials.  Please note we’re using the term “Agent Orange” as an umbrella term for several different kinds of herbicides used in Vietnam … and in the United States.

You may be asking yourself why invite the progeny of veterans and the general public,  for weren’t the effects of Agent Orange limited to those military veterans who served in Vietnam?   It is because, many believe, more than military veterans have been affected but also their progeny and, additionally, the general public — these products were not only used in Vietnam.  Consequently, the chapter is seeking to heighten their awareness through education and to gain their assistance in pushing needed government research studies long overdue and resisted.  The Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other departments of government may have been turning a blind eye to a matter of importance to all of us.

For more information and how to register for the event, refer to the article below, which is being republished with the kind permission of its author and appeared in the June 2015 issue of Lifestyles over 50. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Volunteers Needed for the Wheelchair Games in the Lehigh Valley Suburb of Philadelphia

34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games LogoVolunteers are now being sought to help with the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Philadelphia during the period 12 through 17 August 2014. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America are “co-presenting” or hosting the Games, the largest of its kind in the world, and expected to attract more than 500 veterans athletes with spinal cord injuries, amputations or serious neurological disorders. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago