MILITARY COMMUNITY NETWORK COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OFDecember 5, 2017

In attendance:John Wagner Chair (MDOL DVOP), Nancy Laffin –Co-Chair (Lewiston Vet Ctr.), Paul Loveless – RAO, Jim Doherty VHA Togus,Patrick Crowley- DVA Togus, Samantha Treadwell – Maine Military Family Assistance Center, Courtney Pelletier – Veterans Inc., Laurie Cyr-Marteel – ME ARNG, Mike Labbe – VA Maine MyHealtheVet.Gov, Andy Gibson – Chaplain ME ARNG, Kate Powers – SASSMM.

The meeting commenced at 15:00 Hours

  1. After introduction of all the attendees, thefollowing resources were presented and discussed:
  • Chair – handed out numerous handouts to all present. See attached
  • Vet Center – Holiday Pot Luck is scheduled for the Lewiston Vet Center on Dec. 14th from 10-2. All Veterans welcome.
  • Legislation –
  • Vet ID Act of 2018 has started. Any Veteran that does not have a retired or VA healthcare ID can apply. System crashed on day 1… too many online at once. Note: If you get a card and have a VA ID Card already, DO NOT throw away the VA ID Card… you need this for your Healthcare! VA Announces Rollout and Application Process for New Veterans ID Card
  • White House VA Hotline Now Fully Staffed and Operational Around the Clock to Serve Nation's Veterans
  • VA Appeals Modernization Act of 2017

This bill amends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits appeals process to permit a claimant to request:

  • a review of the Agency of Original Jurisdiction's decision by a higher-level adjudicator within the agency under which no additional evidence may be submitted; or
  • a Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) review under which no BVA hearing is requested and no additional evidence may be submitted or under which a BVA hearing is requested and the appellant requests an opportunity to submit additional evidence at, and within 90 days of, the hearing.

("Agency of Original Jurisdiction" means the activity which entered the original determination with regard to a claim for veteran’s benefits.)

The BVA shall maintain two such separate dockets.

A finding favorable to a claimant is binding on all subsequent VA adjudicators unless clear and convincing evidence is shown to the contrary.

The BVA may remand a claim to the agency to obtain a corrective advisory medical opinion.

The bill revises effective dates of awards provisions.

The VA's duty to assist a claimant shall not apply: (1) once the claimant is provided notice of the agency's initial decision, and (2) to higher-level agency or BVA review.

The VA is not required to send notice for a supplemental claim or to re-adjudicate a claim that has been disallowed except when new and relevant evidence is presented or secured (currently such provisions applies to reopening such claim).

A claimants’ notice of disagreement must set out specific allegations of error of fact or law. The BVA is authorized to dismiss an appeal which fails to do so.

  • Veterans Inc. Transitional Housing in Lewiston currently has 4 openings. If you know of any Homeless Veterans or Veterans in danger of losing their current housing, please contact Courtney @ 207.240.5856
  • VA –
  • Suicide Prevention Conference – VA Deputy Secretary – Key note speaker. Town hall meetings to be scheduled.
  • Cabin in the Woods – please help promote.
  • Many Outreach Events – coming soon to an area near you. If you have any events that would be appropriate venue, please contact Patrick.
  • MyHealtheVet – can now make appointments with Primary Doctors and send secure mail. Also, can order CPAP Supplies.
  • DAV – has multiple vans helping to transport Vets. Possibly looking to full-time driver for Caribou area.
  • MMCN Council Meeting – December 13th… all welcome
  • Maine Veterans Coordinators Meeting – firstMondayof each month at6 p.m.held at Veterans Home in Augusta – open meeting, just can’t vote
  • MILFAC – 24-hour Response Hotline
  • 4 Location – Brunswick, Augusta, Caribou, and Bangor (coming soon)
  • MMCN Booklets are available
  • Stall Talk – Get on the mailing list!
  • Deployments
  • Air Guard (Portland and Bangor) possibly very soon.
  • Army Guard – some currently deployed, focus on readiness
  • Reach out to those left behind to ensure they’re taken care of for holiday’s and severe weather.
  • Veteran Resource Center
  • Counselors from Lewiston come in weekly
  • Acupuncture Clinic on Wednesdays
  • Reflexology Clinic coming soon on Mondays
  • SASSMM – 24/7 Crisis Line free & confidential to Veterans
  • Maine DOL – Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign close to complete for this years. Current totals 170+ Veterans Hired, 150+ Employers participating

2. The next meeting will be at 3 PM on March 13th, 2018.Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend.

The Meeting adjourned at16:04 Hours

Respectfully Submitted;

John Wagner