MVA TODAY
The Monthly Newsletter for
LA County Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
Operation Green Light for Veterans
MVA joined the LA County Board of Supervisors and counties across the nation in launching Operation Green Light for Veterans, an initiative designed to shine a light on the service of our veterans and their families. From November 7th – 13th, MVA and other County Departments joined the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO) in illuminating county buildings green, distributing social media messages, and hosting events to show support for our nation’s veterans, highlighting the important role the County has in helping connect veterans with resources and benefits.
|
MVA Veteran Service Officers (VSO's) helped local veterans and their families file 623 claims in Los Angeles County in October, 2022.
Commissioner's Corner: On November 16th, the Veterans Advisory Commission met. The Commission received public comment, an update on the CTRS Program at VA West Los Angeles, heard from LA County Department of Human Resources on efforts underway to revamp the Veterans Credit Policy, an update from LAHSA on the 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count and adopted its first official recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding free veteran access to County-owned or operated public lands. View the full meeting here.
MVA Hosts Thanksgiving Dinner for Veterans
On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, Veterans Advocacy Group of America (VAGA) hosted the Sixth Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, serving over 200 turkey dinners with all the fixings to veterans, families and caregivers, while enjoying music from JazzZone.
|
MVA VSO Hayden Velasquez Refiles Claim to Help Navy Vet Receive $140,000
In 2014, Vern, USN veteran, filed a claim at Long Beach VA Hospital due to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War conflict. He had been working on a helicopter carrier a mile off the coast of Danang.
Following his service, Vern suffered from type II diabetes and a heart condition. A year ago, he heard that the Monrovia library had an accredited VSO, and Vern met with MVA VSO Hayden Velasquez, who informed him that the VA now recognizes that Agent Orange was sprayed within a 12 mile radius of Danang, and that his claim could be approved. Hayden refiled the claim, asking for medical records from the veteran. Vern visited a VA doctor, who diagnosed him with neuropathy and diabetes.
A year after re-filing, Vern received a $140,000 check in the mail from the VA, claim approved! He wishes that he could’ve had the financial help earlier, but is now putting it to good use; paying off debt and helping his children and grandchildren.
Causeway Screening on the Battleship IOWA
On Friday, November 11th, MVA sponsored a screening of Causeway, a film depicting the life of a soldier, played by Jennifer Lawrence, who suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS) after surviving an explosion in Afghanistan. Over 200 veterans, active military and their families joined MVA on the rear deck of the Battleship IOWA to watch the film, followed by a panel of experts who discussed issues raised in the film.
Panelists included MVA Director Jim Zenner; Lila Neugebauer, Causeway Director; Jodie Grenier, USMC Veteran; CEO, Foundation for Women Warriors; and Master of Ceremonies Kristen Kavanaugh, USMC veteran, LGBTQ vet advocate, Senior Executive DoD and Tesla, Naval Academy graduate.
|
The Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) prioritizes hiring veterans as “battle buddies” and systems navigators to connect their brothers and sisters in need with resources that will help. For more info, call 1-800-854-7771 then press 3 or email: veterans@dmh.lacounty.gov
|
