MDVA Service & Benefits Program Serves Veterans
The Maryland Fiscal Year ended on June 30th and the MDVA Service & Benefits Program staff produced some impressive numbers:
During fiscal year 2021, MDVA Veteran Benefits Specialists were able to assist Maryland veterans in obtaining in excess of $30 million in new federal monetary payments. The majority of these monetary benefits are ongoing, as veterans continue to receive these benefits permanently.
MDVA served approximately 129,576 veterans, dependents and survivors across the State in FY 21.
MDVA Benefits Specialists assisted in the submission of 2,798 claims for adjudication by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
MDVA accepted representation for 1,532 new veterans statewide.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs adjudicated 3,385 disability compensation and non-service connected pension claims submitted by MDVA during FY-21. Of those 3,058 claims were approvals and 327 were denied which calculates to a 90% approval rate for claims submitted by MDVA Benefits Specialists.
If you or a veteran you know would like help filing a claim or other veteran benefits information, please call the MDVA Benefits & Service Program on: 1-800-446-4926, or use this link to determine the MDVA office most convenient for you: MDVA Service & Benefits Program
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 MDVA Secretary George Owings and volunteers work to clean and landscape at the Gold Star Families Monument in Annapolis.
 Thank you to the Travis Manion Foundation volunteers for spending their Saturday to help clean the Gold Star Families Monument.
 Please join MDVA in welcoming our newest co-worker: Ashley Radano, Contract Compliance Specialist. Ashley started working at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home eleven years ago for the health care contractor at Charlotte Hall, and she has served as an Activity Aide, Unit Clerk, Quality Assurance Assistant, Director of Volunteer Services & Community Outreach and Director of Recreational Services, all before joining the MDVA staff.
Ashley is a southern Maryland native. Her grandfather, Dr. Harold W. Sorrill, Jr., Captain, USN was a resident of Charlotte Hall during his final years. Ashley states: "Being a part of the MDVA team is an exceptional honor. There is so much significance and meaning behind our role in the veteran community. I look forward to continuing my service to our veterans in this new role".
American Legion Generously Donates to Charlotte Hall
As Fiscal Year 2021 ended, it must be noted that donations to Charlotte Hall continued without interruption from many organizations and individual donors, despite the challenges everyone has faced. Each and every donation is appreciated and used to support the residents of Charlotte Hall. When visitors were restricted at the state veterans home; donations including snacks, clothing, TV's and monetary donations continued to arrive from generous Marylanders.
The American Legion Department of Maryland, individual American Legion Posts, the Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion - despite closed or reduced Post operations still gave combined donations of $53,906 to Charlotte Hall. As the American Legion Department of Maryland 2021 Convention comes to a close, MDVA would like to give the American Legion members a special shout-out.
 The American Legion, Department of Maryland Convention was held this week. Attending and shown in this photo are: Edna W. Cummings, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired), Army Reserve Ambassador-Maryland, MDVA Secretary George Owings and Master Sergeant Elizabeth Helm-Frazier, U.S. Army (Retired).
Colonel Cummings and Master Sergeant Helm-Frazier produced the Six Triple Eight Documentary
 Another photo from the American Legion Department of Maryland Convention, held this week. From left to right: MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, Commander Earnest Hawkins, Jr., Post 29 in Caroline County, MDVA Secretary George Owings, and Mr. Joe Coaxum, Sergeant at Arms for Post 196 in Suitland.
 World War II Navy Veteran Byron Phelps is holding a Citation from Governor Hogan for his 95th birthday celebration. Denise Nooe, MDVA Deputy Director of Outreach made the presentation at a family picnic held in Mr. Phelp's honor.
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