NewsFlash | Warrior Care

Warrior Care

Warrior Care — The Department of Defense (DoD) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reaffirms its commitment that there is no higher priority than caring for the wounded, ill, and injured Service members who have sacrificed so much. The mission is to proactively support wounded, ill, and injured Service members in their recovery and reintegration or transition to civilian life. Warrior Care honors the opportunity to provide assistance to spouses and dependents of Veterans who honorably served in our Nation's armed forces. The courage, strength, resilience, and commitment shown by DoD wounded warriors and the loved ones who support them is unmatched and inspiring. Warrior care encompasses a full spectrum of support through recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration back to duty or transition into the community. The DoD Warrior Care Recovery Coordination Program and military services’ Wounded Warrior Programs provide comprehensive resources to assist recovering Service members and support spouses, families, and caregivers to meet their needs and achieve their goals. The wounded, ill, and injured population is broad, and includes not just the visibly wounded or injured. Many of the Service members going through recovery are suffering through a serious illness or dealing with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury. Adaptive sports and reconditioning activities help wound warriors develop and enhance their skills in multiple domains of wellness, which can transfer to the job market and lead to success in other areas of life. It is important for wounded warriors to know that they are not alone; there is a community that supports them in their challenges and recognizes their success. Building connections, sharing resources, and finding strength together helps wounded warriors understand that they aren’t alone. Wounded warrior support programs seek to build connections within the community to lessen the sense of isolation often felt by those members. 

Wounded, Ill, and Injured Compensation and Benefits Handbook — Updated annually by the DoD in collaboration with VA, U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), U.S. Department of Education (ED), the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), and the U.S. Military Services. On active duty, most of your benefits come from the DoD. After you leave active duty, whether discharged or medically retired, you become eligible for a number of additional benefits from VA. To augment what’s in this handbook, we recommend that Service members contact their respective Service's Wounded Warrior Program with further questions, especially regarding Service-specific information regarding compensation and benefits.

U.S. Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP) — The U.S. Army Recovery Care Program (ARCP) manages recovery and complex care for wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers across all army components. Through the use of Soldier Recovery Units (SRUs), the ARCP manages the recovery of wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers through a comprehensive program of medical care, rehabilitation, professional development, and achievement of personal goals. The program also provides resources and advocacy for families and caregivers of Soldiers recovering in the program. To learn more about enrollment, contact Army Recovery Program at 1-800-984-8523 or email us.army.ncr.hqda-otsg.mbx.arcp-contact-center1@health.mil.

U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR) — The U.S. Marine Corps approaches each individual Marine and Sailor's recovery as a relationship, not a process, and encourages healing in all aspects of life. The Wounded Warrior Regiment (WWR) provides leadership, guidance, and ensures compliance with laws and DoD regulations related to the support, recovery, and non-medical care of combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured Marines, Sailors attached to Marine units, and their family members in order to maximize their recovery as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. To learn more about enrollment, contact Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment at 1-877-487-6299 or online at www.woundedwarrior.marines.mil.

U.S. Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW) Safe Harbor — The U.S. Navy’s sole organization for coordinating the non-medical care of wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, and providing resources and support to their families. NWW offers individualized and proactive guidance on non-medical care, including: Pay and benefits, Caregiver resources and respite care, Bedside travel, Job training, Childcare, and Adaptive reconditioning. The personalized Comprehensive Recovery Plan is an essential part of the continuum of care and enables Sailors and Coast Guardsmen. Since 2009, Navy Safe Harbor Foundation (NSHF) has been the NWWs first call when a Navy or Coast Guard Sailor is in need. NWW allows Sailors and Coast Guardsmen to focus on their recovery goals and well-being, encourages retention and return to duty, and supports a smooth transition to VA when a medical condition prohibits continued Service. To learn more about enrollment, contact NWW at 855-NAVY WWP / 855-628-9997 or email navywoundedwarrior.fct@navy.mil.

U.S. Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) — AFW2 is a Congressionally-mandated and Federally-funded organization tasked with taking care of U.S. Air Force wounded, ill, and injured Airmen, U.S. Space Force Guardians, Veterans, and their families. Providing personalized restorative care throughout their transformation back to duty, separation, or retirement, staying in contact with them throughout the process as an Airman For Life. The AFW2 Recovery Care Program manages recovery and complex care for wounded, ill, and injuredAirmen and their caregivers/families across all components. To learn more about enrollment, contact AFW2 at 1-800-581-9437 or email afpc.dpfws.wiicell@us.af.mil.

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Warrior Care Program - Care Coalition (WCP-CC) — The USSOCOM WCP-CC was established in 2005 to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) wounded, ill, and injured Service members and their families advocacy after life changing events in order to navigate through recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration as quickly as possible, strengthening SOF readiness. The primary goal is to assist SOF wounded, ill, and injured in getting back to duty, operationally fit and mentally prepared. To learn more about enrollment, contact USSOCOM WCP-CC at 1-877-672-3039 or email ussocomcarecoalition@socom.mil.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) — The largest of the three administrations that comprise VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical and quality-of-life needs. The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930 to 1,600 health care facilities today, including 144 VA Medical Centers and 1,232 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity. VHA continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VA's mission is to serve America’s Veterans and their families with dignity and compassion and be their principal advocate in ensuring that they receive medical care, benefits, social support, and lasting memorials. VA promotes the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans in recognition of their service to our nation. Under the “Combat Veteran” authority, VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group to:

• Combat Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 and were discharged or released from active service on or after October 1, 2013, are now eligible to enroll for 10 years from the date of discharge or release. Note: The 10-year enrollment period applicable to these Veterans begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.
• Combat Veterans, while not required to disclose their income information, may do so to determine their eligibility for a higher priority status, beneficiary travel benefits, and exemption of copays for care unrelated to their military service.

You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if you meet the minimum active-duty service and discharge requirements and at least one of these descriptions is true for you. Enhanced eligibility means that we’ll place you in a higher priority group. This makes you more likely to get benefits. At least one of these must be true:

• You receive financial compensation (payments) from VA for a service-connected disability.
• You were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to you in the line of duty.
• You were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty.
• You’re a combat Veteran discharged or released on or after September 11, 2001. Learn more about eligibility for transitioning active-duty service members and returning combat Veterans
• You get a VA pension.
• You’re a former prisoner of war (POW).
• You have received a Purple Heart.
• You have received a Medal of Honor.
• You get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits.
• You were exposed to toxins or hazards by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, X-rays, or other toxins. This exposure could have happened while training or serving on active duty, even if you were never deployed.
• You served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998.
• You served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

VA Community Care Network — The VA MISSION Act went into effect on June 6, 2019. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from the VA Community Care Network of community providers. Veterans may choose community care even if a VHA provider is available as long as they meet specific requirements. Types of care under VA Veterans Community Care include General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots. To be eligible for Veterans Community Care, you must meet requirements:

• You’re enrolled in or eligible for VA health care, and
• You have approval from your VA health care team before you get care from a community provider (except for certain cases like urgent or emergency care)

During a medical emergency, Veterans should immediately seek care at the nearest medical facility. Generally, emergency treatment is only covered until such time as the Veteran can be safely transferred to a VA or other federal facility. If the Veteran refuses to be transferred to a VA or other federal facility after their emergency condition is stabilized, they may be liable for the cost of care beyond the point of stabilization.

Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) — The Department of Defense expanded commissary shopping privileges in the U.S. effective 1 January 2020 as part of the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018, included in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. Access was expanded to include:

 Veterans with any service-connected disability
 Purple Heart recipients
 Former Prisoners of war, and
 Individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

American military commissaries provide a military benefit of discounted groceries and household goods to active-duty, Reserve and Guard members of the uniformed Services, retirees of these Services, authorized family members, DOD civilian employees overseas and other designated categories. Commissaries constitute one of the top nonpay benefits for today’s military and are an important inducement to recruitment and retention of skilled personnel, while simultaneously holding down taxpayer costs. What you need to do before you shop.

1. Confirm your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) has one of the required designations, (SERVICE CONNECTED, MEDAL OF HONOR, PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW), or obtain your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) as outlined above. You will need this for your commissary checkout experience.
2. Contact the base you intend to visit beforehand and determine what their current policy is for base access.
3. Check out https://shop.commissaries.com/store-flyer to start saving now or https://shop.commissaries.com to place your order online.

Commissary Store Locations in VISN 20 are located in Alaska, Idaho and Washington. DeCA has no authority to determine whether a person is authorized to shop in the commissary. If you believe you may be entitled to commissary privileges, visit your local installation Pass and ID office for information about military benefits and to obtain an ID card consistent with your entitlements. To obtain a VHIC, you’ll need to be enrolled in VA health care. If you’re not already enrolled, you can contact your nearest VA medical center and ask to speak with the enrollment coordinator. The Veterans online shopping benefit for the four military exchanges (Army Air Force Exchange, Navy Exchange Services Command, Marine Corps Exchange, and Coast Guard Exchange) became effective on Veterans Day in 2017. This lifelong benefit allows honorably discharged Veterans of all United States Armed Forces to shop online at any and all of the exchanges. The online exchanges serves honorably discharged Veterans of all United States Armed Forces.

Veterans Dental — VA provides dental care to qualified Veterans at over 200 dental clinics across the country, including Alaska and Puerto Rico. Dental benefits are provided by VA according to law. Veterans eligible for VA dental care are provided:

• Routine exams and teeth cleaning
• Restorative procedures, including fillings and crowns
• Comprehensive surgical care, including extractions (pulling teeth) and oral cancer screening
• Routine and advanced prosthodontic care, including bridges, dentures, and dental implants
• Routine and advanced periodontal care, including root canals, gum treatments, and supporting bone care
• Oral and facial reconstruction surgery to repair damage from traumatic injury or serious illness

In some instances, VA is authorized to provide extensive dental care, while in other cases treatment may be limited. For more information about eligibility for VA dental benefits, contact VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) — If you’re not eligible for free VA dental care, VADIP can help you buy private dental insurance at a reduced cost. VA offers discounted private dental insurance for Veterans and family members who meet certain requirements. Participation in VADIP is open to Veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care System and eligible family members who are beneficiaries of the VA’s Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA). This dental benefit program helps protect the smiles of Veterans and their families by offering comprehensive and competitively priced dental coverageVADIP is covered by two insurance companies:

• Delta Dental 855-370-3303
• MetLife 888-310-1681

Vision — If you have VA health care benefits, we'll cover your routine eye exams and preventive vision testing (like testing for glaucoma). In some cases, you may get coverage for eyeglasses or services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation. VA covers the cost of eyeglasses if Veterans meet at least one of the requirements listed below:

1. Have a Service-Connected disability, or
2. Are a former Prisoner of War (POW), or
3. Were awarded a Purple Heart, or
4. Receive benefits under Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1151, or
5. Receive an increased pension based on your being permanently housebound and in need of regular aid and attendance

If you’re a Veteran or active-duty Service member who is blind or has low vision, you may be able to get advanced vision care and rehabilitation Services through VA to help you live an independent life. VA works with non-VA agencies that provide guide or Service dogs. Many of these organizations don’t charge for the dog or the dog’s training. And if you’re eligible for a guide or Service dog, we’ll pay for the veterinary care and equipment (like a harness or backpack) that you’ll need for the dog to work at its best.

Hearing Aids — The law formalized a long-standing collaboration between DoD and VA audiology programs that dates back many years. VA inherited the hearing loss rehabilitation programs developed by the military during World War II. Since 1945, the VA has become a leader in hearing healthcare, diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders, and auditory and vestibular research. In the military, selecting and wearing proper hearing protection can mean the difference between life and death. Likewise in a non-work environment, proper hearing protection increases your safety. The proper use of Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) can mean the difference between hearing impairment and the ability to fully enjoy the sounds of everyday life. Keep in mind that hearing protection devices are only helpful when worn properly and consistently. Veterans enrolled with VA Health Care may schedule an appointment at the Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic for an evaluation of your hearing. The audiologist will make a clinical determination on the need for hearing aids and/or other hearing assistive devices. If hearing aids are recommended and fit, the hearing aids, repairs, and future batteries will all be at no charge to you, as long as you maintain VA eligibility for care. To receive hearing aids through VA, you must first register at the health Administration/enrollment section of the VA Medical Center of your choice.

Fisher House Foundation — Are you in need of a home away from home? Fisher Houses provide military families housing close to a loved one in the hospital for an illness, disease or injury. Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & Veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. If you or someone you love is receiving care at a VA or military medical center, check the list of Current Houses to see if there is a Fisher House that can help. Criteria to stay is established locally by the hospital or installation command so please contact the location with any questions. There is never a charge to stay at a Fisher House.

Hero Miles — Life doesn’t stop when a Service member is wounded, injured or becomes ill. The Hero Miles program enables these heroes and their loved ones to try and balance hospital life and home life. The Fisher House Foundation proudly partners with the following major airlines in support of our wounded, ill, and injured Service men and women and their families: Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. Using frequent flyer miles, round trip airfare is purchased for;

Wounded, ill, and injured Service members on ordinary leave from the medical center to home or an authorized event
Loved ones of wounded, ill, and injured Service members to visit the authorized medical center
Loved ones to attend the Dignified Transfer of Remains at Dover Air Force Base

Hotels for Heroes — There are times when a Fisher House is unavailable. The Hotels for Heroes program steps in when this happens and provides a hotel room for families eligible to stay in a Fisher House. If you believe you qualify for a hotel room, please contact your Service member’s case worker or Fisher House manager at the location of treatment.

VA extends presumptive period for Persian Gulf War Veterans — VA has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans. Persian Gulf War operational names included Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Sabre, Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, and Northern Watch. In addition, various phases of each operation may have a unique operational name. VA's Persian Gulf War Registry Health Exam alerts Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to environmental exposures during military service. For VA benefit purposes, Gulf War service is active military duty in any of the Southwest Asia theater of military operations at any time August 2, 1990 to present. Wartime compensation for service-connected disability or death occurring in Persian Gulf War Veterans passed into law in 1994. Persian Gulf Veterans served on active duty in the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. 

• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain
• Qatar
• The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
• Oman
• Gulf of Aden
• Gulf of Oman
• Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea
• The airspace above these locations 

At the time of Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits approval in 1994, it was not known whether these Servicemembers were exposed to chemical or biological warfare agents. However, threats of enemy use of chemical and biological warfare heightened the psychological stress associated with the military operation. Persian Gulf War Veterans may still seek to establish service connection individually for other, "non-presumptive" diseases and illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. The Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses was created by Congress in 1998, and first appointed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi in January 2002. During the Persian Gulf War, members of the Armed Forces were exposed to numerous potentially toxic substances, including fumes and smoke from military operations, oil well fires, diesel exhaust, paints, pesticides, depleted uranium, infectious agents, investigational drugs and vaccines, and indigenous diseases, and were also given multiple immunizations. 

Need help? Appoint a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent to assist you. In most cases, it is not necessary for Veterans to get assistance from an attorney. However, many Veterans choose to get free assistance from organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). These organizations will typically ask you to sign a limited power of attorney, which will allow them to speak with the VA on your behalf. They can help you determine status, ask the VA to reconsider the severity of your rated ailments, and help you with other support actions. The Persian Gulf War Registry health exam is separate from VA disability benefits for a presumptive disability or other service-connected conditions. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) — The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) is the largest and oldest war Veterans Service Organization, offering free Veteran and military family support programs and services. Veteran qualification for membership in the VFW must meet two requirements:

1. Honorable Service – must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States and either received a discharge of Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) or be currently serving.
2. Service in a war, campaign, or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters. This can be proven by any of the following:
   An authorized campaign medal
   Receipt of Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay
   Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days qualify.

If a Veteran’s DD-214 or other military documentation confirms they have been awarded one of these campaign medals and they have served honorably, then they are eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

• China Service Medal
• American Defense Service Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal
• Navy Occupation Service Medal
• Korean Service Medal
• Navy Expeditionary Medal
• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• Southwest Asia Service Medal
• Kosovo Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Combat Medical Badge
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Combat Action Medal
• Combat Action Badge
• SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia
• Korea Defense Service Medal
• Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
• Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon WITH GOLD BORDER
• Korea Duty (Service in Korea for 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days)
• Hostile Fire Pay or Imminent Danger Pay

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) — WWP began in 2003 as a small, grassroots effort providing simple care and comfort items to the hospital bedsides of the first wounded service members returning home from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As their post-service needs evolved, so have our programs and services.

Military2VA (M2VA) — Every VA medical center has a specialized Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) team ready to welcome you as you transition from Service member to Veteran. Your Post-9/11 M2VA team will assist you, your family, and caregivers in navigating the VA health care system and support you in achieving your health and wellness goals. Often when Service members leave the military, they find difficulty with sense of identity, financial strain, employment/education barriers, relationship changes, mental/emotional wellness, and physical limitations as a result of their time in the military.

VA Liaisons for Healthcare — VA Liaisons are nurses and social workers who coordinate the transfer of health care from DoD to VA for service members as they exit the military. VA Liaisons connect Veterans with the Post-9/11 Military2VA team at your selected VA facility. Located at DoD installations, VA Liaisons coordinate health care needs from the military treatment facility (MTF) to a VA health care facility. Whether you need inpatient or outpatient care, VA Liaisons will assist in the transfer of your care at the appropriate time in your recovery and rehabilitation process. VA Liaisons also collaborate with DoD care managers and treatment teams regarding VA resources and treatment options available for your care. Additionally, VA Liaisons ensure Veterans have follow up VA health care after receiving specialized services from Warrior Care Network and Avalon Action Alliance.

Warrior Care Network is a partnership between Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and four world-renowned academic medical centers, providing veterans and service members living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), and other related conditions with a path to long-term wellness.

• Emory Healthcare
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Rush University Hospital
• University of California Los Angeles Health

Participants and their families receive first-class treatment tailored specifically to their needs and individualized care to support their unique journey. All treatment and accommodations are provided at no cost and financial assistance is also offered to help cover everyday expenses like groceries, utilities, and housing.

Avalon Action Alliance — A post-trauma wellness nonprofit helping Veterans and their families gain control over issues related to brain health and mental wellness. Avalon provides a single point of contact and one integrative assessment for the symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS), TBI, and substance abuse (SA) to identify and guide clients to the most effective clinical or non-clinical pathway towards healing. Location of Veterans is not a barrier for treatment. Avalon Action Alliance will arrange travel to the facility best-suited for the client.

Avalon’s alliance of posttraumatic growth programs provide a seven-day non-clinical training program for veterans and first responders who suffer from symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression. Avalon Action Network partners with Boulder Crest Foundation to implement their Warrior PATHH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Helping Heroes) programs based on the science of Post-traumatic Growth (PTG) through non-clinical training delivered by highly qualified peer guides. Warrior PATHH PTG is available to Veterans and First Responders.

Warrior PATHH PTG

• Permission to Start Dreaming — Gig Harbor, Washington
• Eagle Oak Retreat — Italy, Texas
• Sheep Dog Impact Assistance — Rogers, Arkansas
• GratitudeAmerica, Inc. — Macclenny, Florida
• Camp Southern Ground — Fayetteville, Georgia
• Big Red Barn Retreat — Blythewood, South Carolina
• Travis Mills Foundation — Rome, Maine
• Boulder Crest — Bluemont, Virginia

Avalon Action Alliance partners with TBI Centers from around the country to provide integrated and interdisciplinary care with innovative assessments and treatments in an intensive outpatient setting. TBI Centers are open to all Veterans regardless of discharge status. 

Traumatic Brain Injury Centers

• Marcus Institute for Brain Health, University of Colorado — Aurora, Colorado
• Medical College of Wisconsin BRAVE (Building Resilience through Action in VEterans and first responders) Program — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• MossRehab Institute for Brain Health, Jefferson Health — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative — Atlanta, Georgia
• Tulane University Center for Brain Health — New Orleans, Louisiana
• University of Florida Brain Wellness Program, Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D. — Jacksonville, Florida
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill THRIVE (Transforming Health and Resilience in Veterans) Program — Chapel Hill, North Carolina

No clinical diagnosis is required to attend. Avalon Action Alliance partners with Warriors Heart for substance abuse treatment providing both inpatient and outpatient treatment for dependency, alcohol abuse, and co-occurring psychological disorders. Avalon Fund started in 2019 with a $40 million commitment from Home Depot Co-Founders, Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank in launching the Gary Sinise Foundation Avalon Network.

United Services Organization (USO) — Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side. Today’s USO continuously adapts to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families, so they can focus on their very important mission. USO airport centers throughout the country offer around-the clock hospitality for traveling Service members and their families.  

This information is usually available through a veteran’s DD-214. If other information is needed or if a veteran’s DD-214 is not complete, they can contact the National Personnel Records Center online or at 314-801-0800 to request more information.

Education and Employment Initiatives (E2I) and Operation War Fighter (OWF) — E2I is available to all wounded, ill, and injured Service members in all branches of the military services, as well as all components of those services – Active, Guard and Reserve. Operation Warfighter (OWF) is a DoD internship program that matches qualified wounded, ill, and injuredService members with non-funded federal internships in order for them to gain valuable work experience during their recovery and rehabilitation.

National Resource Directory — The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a resource website that connects Service members, wounded warriors, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them. The NRD is a partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The NRD is hosted, managed, maintained, sustained and developed by the Defense Health Agency's Recovery Coordination Program and provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration.

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Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

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Today's VHA - the largest of the three administrations that comprise the VA - continues to meet Veterans' changing medical, surgical, and quality-of-life needs. VHA is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. There are 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) in VHA operating as regional systems of care to better meet local health care needs and provides greater access to care. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, most of Idaho, and one county each in California and Montana. Spanning 23% of the US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of VA. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. According to DoD, American Indians and Alaska Natives have one of the highest representations in the United States Armed Forces. VA consults with American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments to develop partnerships that enhance access to services and benefits by Veterans and their families. VA is committed to ensuring that Native American Veterans and their families are able to utilize all benefits and services they are entitled to receive. As of the end of FY2023, 42.2% of VISN 20 enrollees and 39.7% of VISN 20 patients resided in rural or highly rural areas. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

Browse facilities by state

VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPSHCS) serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake VA Medical Center and Seattle VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Spokane, Vancouver, and Walla Walla. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Bellingham, Bellevue, Bremerton, Chehalis, Edmunds, Everett, Federal Way, Lacey, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, Richland, Renton, Silverdale, Seattle, Spokane, Union Gap, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) serves Veterans in Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland VA Medical Center and Vancouver VA Medical Center. Veterans Medical Centers are also located in Roseburg, White City, and Vancouver, Washington. VA Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers are located in Astoria, Bend, Boardman, Brookings, Enterprise, Eugene, Fairview, Grants Pass, Hines, Hillsboro, Klamath Falls, LaGrande, Lincoln City, Newport, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn.

VA Regional Offices

The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) helps service members transition out of military service, and assists with Veterans with education, home loans, life insurance and much more. Service members, Veterans, their families, and Survivors are invited to request information on VA Benefits including disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, education, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Home Loans, and Insurance. In addition to information on VA Benefits Veterans may initiate an intent to file and request assistance with filing compensation and pension claims. Visit regional office websites to learn about the services the regional office provides, directions to the facility, hours of operation, and the leadership team that serves the regional office.

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran

The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources:

1. Veterans with a service-connected (SC) disability rated at 50% or more.
2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge.
3. Veterans seeking care for a SC disability only or under a special treatment authority.
4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (ionizing radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) depleted uranium, airborne hazards, and Open Burn Pit Registry).

Find out how to apply for VA health care benefits as a Veteran or service member. For other mental health services, contact a VA medical center for information on eligibility and treatment options.

Vet Centers in VISN 20

Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK)

Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA)

Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID)

Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR)

Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR)

Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA)

Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK)

Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA)

Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR)

Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK)

Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA)

Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR)

Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR)

Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA)

Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA)

Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA)

Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA)

Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK)

Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA)

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. We are a self-sustaining entity providing merchandise and services to Veterans enrolled in VA’s healthcare system, their families, caregivers, VA employees, volunteers and visitors. We are honored to give back to the VA community through many programs established for the health and well-being of our nation’s heroes. Revenues generated from VCS are used to support a variety of programs, such as VA’s Rehabilitation Games, Fisher Houses, Poly-Trauma Centers for OIF/OEF/OND Veterans, disaster relief efforts, Substance Abuse Cessation, VA’s Homelessness initiatives, Women Veterans, Veteran Suicide Prevention and other activities.

Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.