Veterans' Benefits Program, Massachusetts State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America
Veterans' Benefits Program,
Massachusetts State Council,
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

"Leave No One Behind"

Chief Service Officer: Richard Levesque

Table of Contents

  • Health Alerts & Information
  • Recovery Report 2009
  • Massachusetts Service Officers
  • Federal Benefits Book, 2009 ed. (Quick Reference)
  • VA Benefits Web Site (Comprehensive Information)
  • Health Alerts

    1. PROSTATE CANCER
    If you are an In-Country Vietnam Veteran and you have Diabetes Mellitus Type II, you are eligible for Service Connected Disability benefits for that condition or for any condition medically associated with your diabetes.

    The VA has also made this a presumptive condition conditional on your in-country service in Vietnam. See a Service Officer or go to vvv.va.gov for more information.

    Get an annual prostate checkup! Just do it!

    If you have, or have had, prostate cancer...contact a VVA Service Officer right away - you may be entitled to free medical care and compensation from the VA.

    2. HEPATITIS C
    If you (or your spouse/partner) served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, you are at a significantly higher risk for Hepatitis C than are those who weren't there. If you were exposed to blood or needles during your tour, your risk is great. If you served in the armed forces, but not in S.E.A., you are still at a greater risk than the civilian population of that time.

    Get a Hepatitis C test from your doctor or from the nearest VA Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic. It wouldn't hurt to get a second test as there have been reports of false negatives.

    IF YOU WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS TO APPEAR, YOU HAVE WAITED TOO LONG!

    If you have Hepatitis C...contact a VVA Service Officer right away - you may be entitled to free medical care and compensation from the VA.
    For more information: Center for Disease Control

    3. Diabetes Mellitus (Type II)
    If you served in Vietnam during the war, you have a higher risk of contracting diabetes than the general population. Ask your doctor to check and monitor your insulin level over time. Early intervention is much preferred over late treatment. If you have diabetes (type II) contact a VVA Service Officer right away. You may be entitled to free medical care and compensation from the VA.

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    Recovery Report 2009

    Boston RO: (Francis Fraine) $1,276,505.00

    Providence RO: (Rich Levesque/Pete McCaffrey) $2,743,656,00

    N. Adams: (Bill Bradley) (not reporting)

    Veterans Outreach Ctr -Metrowest: (Bruce Linnell, Carol Callaghan, Mike Isabelle)$1,287,131.00

    Springfield Bi-Lingual Vet Ctr: (Gumersindo Gomez/ Wilfredo Melendez) $3,285,544.00

    Gardner Vet Center: (Not Reporting)

    Veterans Outreach Center-Cape and Islands (Not Reporting)

    Total: $8,592,836.00

    Many Thanks to those representatives that made this possible. This is a record number for Massachusetts.
    Rich Levesque
    Chief Service Officer.

    Massachusetts Benefits Program Service Officers

    Rich Levesque
    Chief Service Officer

    R.J. Levesque - Director
    Chief Service Officer
    Non-Attorney Practitioner and
    Member of the
    Court Bar - USCAVC

    E-mail for Rich Levesque

    Pete McCaffrey
    VVA Room 204-B
    c/o VA Regional Office,
    380 Westminster St.
    Providence, RI 02903
    Office Hours:
    Tuesday thru Friday 10AM - 2PM
    Phone: 401-223-3692 and
    401-223-3693
    Toll Free: 800-358-4340
    Fax: 401-621-5854

    E-mail for Pete McCaffrey

    Francis Fraine
    Service Representatives
    VA Regional Office - Room 1500B
    JFK Federal Bldg
    Boston, MA 02203
    Office Hours:
    Tuesday thru Friday
    10AM to 2PM
    Phone: 1-617-303-5687

    E-mail for Francis Fraine

    Veterans Outreach
    Center Metrowest

    Carol Callaghan

    225 Main Street
    Marlboro, MA 01752
    (508) 460-9993
    [Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM]
    Tuesdays til 8:00 PM

    E-mail for *********


    Montachusetts Veterans
    Outreach Center

    Rachel Anders

    268 Central St.
    Gardner, MA 01440
    Office Hours
    Monday thru Friday
    9am to 5pm
    Phone: (978)-632-9601
    Fax: (978)-632-9476

    E-mail for Rachel Anders

    Vietnam Veterans of America, Benefits Program
    Berkshire Office

    William T Bradley, VSO/Agent
    61 Summit Avenue, Apt. A
    North Adams, MA 01247
    Tel. 413-664-8767

    E-mail for William T Bradley

    Western Mass. Bi-lingual
    Veterans Outreach Center

    281 Franklin Street
    Springfield, MA 01104
    Tel:413-731-0194
    Fax: 413-736-2008
    Gumersindo Gomez
    E-mail for Gumersindo Gomez

    Cpl Zayas Bi-lingual Veterans
    Outreach Center

    Jorge Pagan
    719 Tremont Street
    Boston, MA 02118
    Tel:617-778-1310
    Fax: 617-778-1309
    E-mail for Jorge Pagan


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