Veterans Health Information Clearing House

Health Benefits

New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs
For information on possible health care treatment and benefits information and applications, contact the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs toll-free hotline at: 1-888-VETS NYS (1-888-838-7697)
New York State Division of Veteran's Affairs - Benefits
The New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs provides a summary of state and federal benefits for veterans and their dependents.
TRICARE
This site has everything you ever wanted to know about TRICARE under one virtual roof. This Web site, which debuted November 10, 2006, combines the information that was available at www.tricare.osd.mil and www.tricareonline.com. It also serves as a portal to five user-specific content areas for information, whether someone is a TRICARE beneficiary or not.
  • TRICARE Mail-Order Pharmacy Program
    Registering for the TRICARE mail-order pharmacy (TMOP) is now just a quick phone call or click of the mouse away for military families and retirees with the launch of the Member Choice Center (MCC). With this service, beneficiaries obtain enrollment assistance, and MCC members contact the physician to obtain new prescriptions and forward them to the TMOP for processing, making the switch from retail to mail order virtually effortless for beneficiaries. They can reach the MCC at 877-363-1433.
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
    TriWest Healthcare Alliance, one of the TRICARE regional contractors, launched this national Web site to help National Guard and reserve service members better understand the military health benefits available through TRICARE.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The general toll-free number for the Department of Veterans Affairs can provide you with a wide array of information. You can verify the status of disability or survivors' benefits payments. You can check on benefits for which you may be eligible including home loans, life insurance, education and health care. There is also information on establishing a direct deposit account, directions to VA regional offices and the ability to access a VA benefits counselor. Call: 1-800-827-1000.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) On-line Applications
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is now accepting on-line applications from veterans, survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper copy of the application.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents - 2008 Edition

Veterans of the United States armed forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. This booklet contains a summary of these benefits effective Jan. 1, 2008. For additional information, visit the VA Web page at www.va.gov.

La versión en español de este folleto se encuentra disponible en formato Adobe Acrobat a través de el link: www1.va.gov/opa/feature/index.asp.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Health Benefits Service Center
You can also find out if you are eligible for benefits, how to apply, and what it will cost by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Benefits Service Center toll-free at: 1-877-222-VETS (1-888-222-8387).
Veteran's Health Care Benefits
This Web page helps veterans understand their VA health care benefits, enrollment requirements and specialized programs.

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Information for Afghanistan Veterans

Information for Veterans Who Served in Afghanistan
This four-page newsletter describes the main health concerns for service in Afghanistan, Pakistan and surrounding areas, and answers questions that veterans, their families, and their health care providers may have about this deployment. It also describes medical care programs that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed for veterans returning from combat or peace-keeping missions, and how to contact these programs. Note: this is a PDF document.
Military Service in the Afganistan War - Questions and Answers about Health Concerns of Veterans and Their Families
This is a four-page set of questions and answers on health concerns for veterans who served in Afghanistan and their families. Note: this is a PDF document.

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Information for Gulf War Veterans

(Including those who served in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom)

Environmental Agents
This site directs readers to VA Web sites on the Gulf War, Agent Orange, Depleted Uranium, and Ionizing Radiation programs, material for Afghanistan veterans, and information about the VA War-Related Illnesses and Injury Study Centers (WRIISCs), originally known as the Centers for the Study of War-Related Illnesses.
GulfLINK Medical Information
GulfLINK Medical Information. This Department of Defense site offers information on a wide variety of medical issues and evaluation programs offered by the department and the Department of Veterans Affairs including the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program, medical follow-up on depleted uranium exposure effects, and the Gulf War Registry which offers a free, complete physical examination with basic laboratory studies to every veteran who served in the Gulf War. A centralized registry of participants who have had these examinations are maintained to enable VA to keep them informed through periodic newsletters. VA is also inviting spouses and children of Gulf War Veterans who have received a registry examination to take advantage of the special health examinations. VA offers a toll-free information line at 800-PGW-VETS (800-749-8387). The site also has medical publications and research reports on Gulf War-related medical issues.
Gulf War Illnesses
This site deals with the health problems and concerns of Gulf War veterans and their families. It includes the VA Gulf War Veterans Information helpline number 1-800-PGW-VETS, and lists VA Gulf War-related articles, reviews and publications, including a Gulf War Research Report to Veterans, a Questions-and-Answers brochure, journal article summaries, VA's Gulf War manual, a Gulf War fact sheet, also the Gulf War Risk Factor Report Reprints. There are links to the Gulf War Review newsletters, demonstration projects, an online independent study course for health professionals, and other information and material.
Health of Veterans & Deployed Forces - Institute of Medicine (IoM)
The Institute of Medicine (IoM) has created a Web site with information about a variety of military-related health issues. The site has four separate sections covering the last four major military conflicts (WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and the Gulf War). The site includes IoM-produced reports, information on pending reports, studies about chemical and biological agents suspected of causing health problems for military members and information about deployment health.
U.S. Defense Department Depleted Uranium Frequently Asked Questions
The Defense Department answers frequently asked questions about depleted uranium on this page with specific reference to the Gulf War.

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Information for Vietnam Veterans

Agent Orange - Veterans Affairs
This site provides readers with information about herbicides used in Vietnam. It starts with an Agent Orange overview, an Agent Orange General Information brochure, and a fact sheet on veterans benefits for those exposed to Agent Orange. There are links to the Agent Orange war review letters, Agent Orange brief fact sheet series, news releases, VA disability compensation (including information about online filing), an online independent study course for health professionals, and more.
Agent Orange Reviews - Veterans Affairs
Agent Orange newsletters are published by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide information on Agent Orange and related matters to Vietnam veterans, the families and others with concerns about the use of herbicides during the conflict. Newsletters are in PDF format.
Health of Veterans & Deployed Forces - Institute of Medicine (IoM)
The Institute of Medicine (IoM) has created a Web site with information about a variety of military-related health issues. The site has four separate sections covering the last four major military conflicts (WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and the Gulf War). The site includes IoM-produced reports, information on pending reports, studies about chemical and biological agents suspected of causing health problems for military members and information about deployment health.

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Information for Women Veterans

TRICARE Maternity Care Fact Sheet
TRICARE Management Activity's TRICARE Maternity Care Options Fact Sheet provides expectant mothers who are TRICARE beneficiaries with information regarding the options available for receiving health care services before, during and after childbirth. The scope of these services and their associated costs are related to beneficiary status, proximity to military treatment facility (MTF) services, and choice of TRICARE program and provider.
Women Veterans Health Program - Veterans Affairs
The Women Veterans Health Program promotes the health, welfare, and dignity of women veterans and their families by ensuring equitable access to timely sensitive, quality health care. This site provides information about VA programs for women veterans, comprehensive health centers, military sexual trauma, the clinical programs of excellence, and other health issues of interest to women veterans.

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Information on AIDS/Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Care - Veterans Affairs
The Web site of the VA's National Hepatitis C Program provides comprehensive information for both patients and health professionals on this common viral infection of the liver.
HIV/AIDS - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site offers general information on HIV/AIDS including coinfection with other diseases, transmission, prevention and research. There is also a toll-free hepatitis hotline that can be reached at: 1-888-4-hep-cdc.
HIV/AIDS - New York State Department of Health
This New York State Department of Health site offers a wide variety of information for consumers and practitioners regarding AIDS treatments, testing and programs available to assist individuals.
Public Health Strategic Healthcare Group
The Public Health Strategic Health Care Group includes the Center for HIV Research Resources, Center for Quality Management in Public Health, Hepatitis C Resource Centers, HIV/Hepatitis C Program Office, and the Public Health National Prevention Program Office. This site includes VA directives and information letters, HIV/AIDS information, HIV and hepatitis C treatment and prevention, smoking and tobacco use cessation program information, conferences/continuing education information, and much more.
Viral Hepatitis - New York State Department of Health
This New York State Department of Health site offers testing, treatment and vaccination information on hepatitis A, B and C and provides links to support groups as well as a physician locater service. A list of a variety of brochures and other materials that can be ordered is also available.
Viral Hepatitis C - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site offers basic information on hepatitis C.

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Information on Diabetes

Diabetes Surveillance in New York State
This state Health Department site on general diabetes diagnosis, care, testing and treatment includes useful diabetes record keepers and a list of publications that can be ordered.
National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
This National Institutes of Health site is the home of the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and includes information on treatments and complications of the disease as well as information on clinical trials.
VA Diabetes Program
This Veterans Affairs site provides information on diabetes diagnosis, testing, care and treatment as well as links to other sites with diabetes information. Clinical guidelines for the treatment of diabetes are also available from this site.

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Information on SARS

Frequently Asked Questions about SARS - New York State Department of Health
This is a New York State Department of Health fact sheet on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) - Veterans Affairs
SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is a serious illness characterized by fever and other flu-like symptoms that can progress rapidly to pneumonia and other problems. VA is greatly concerned about reports of the spread of SARS, from Asia to other parts of the world. The VA SARS Web site is designed to help VA staff and patients, and others concerned with veterans' health, to be better prepared for the disease and rapidly find links to accurate, up-to-date information.

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Information for Veterans Exposed to Radiation

Depleted Uranium - FAQ Sheet
The Depleted Uranium Follow-up Program of the VA Maryland Healthcare System provides its take on the most frequently asked questions on the man-made by-product.
U.S. Defense Department Depleted Uranium Frequently Asked Questions
The Defense Department answers frequently asked questions about depleted uranium on this page with specific reference to the Gulf War.
Depleted Uranium - World Health Organization
This World Health Organization fact sheet covers a wide range of issues concerning depleted uranium, including potential health effects of being exposed to the substance, maximum radiation exposure limits, monitoring and treatment of exposed individuals, and recommendations regarding monitoring, clean up and disposal, to name a few.
Emerging Health Concerns - Depleted Uranium
Depleted uranium-related resources made available by the Defense Department's Deployment Health Clinical Center includes policies and directives, clinical guidance, forms and measures, fact sheets, education and training, research and related links.
Environmental Agents - Veterans Affairs
This site directs readers to VA Web sites on the Gulf War, Agent Orange, Depleted Uranium, and Ionizing Radiation programs, material for Afghanistan veterans, and information about the VA War-Related Illnesses and Injury Study Centers (WRIISCs), originally known as the Centers for the Study of War-Related Illnesses.
Just the Facts - Depleted Uranium
Information on depleted uranium, posted by the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine.
Ionizing Radiation Information - Veterans Affairs
The site includes the VA Ionizing Radiation handbook and a radiation fact sheet.
ToxFAQs for Uranium
Health questions about uranium, with an environmental slant, are answered by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

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Mental Health Services

After Deployment
The Military Health System has launched a behavioral health Web portal. The Web site afterdeployment.org, is an effort to focus on post-deployment problems and meet the mental and behavioral health needs of service members. Intended outreach includes active duty service members, veterans, and their families. The site has particular advantages for Nation Guard and Reserve units, who may be distant from a Military Treatment Facility or otherwise located in areas lacking providers who are knowledgeable concerning militray-relate adjustment concerns.
Army Behavioral Health
This Web site provides resources and information regarding mental well-being for soldiers and their family members. Provided by the U.S. Army Medical Department, it is intended for interested soldiers, family members, the public, news media and Army Medical Department beneficiaries.
Mental Health Self-Assessment Program
Screening for Mental Health is offering U.S. military personnel and their families a free, anonymous Web-based mental health and alcohol self-assessment program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Health Affairs, the program screens for a number of common problems that are often undiagnosed. Program users can do self-assessments for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse.
Operation Healthy Reunions
This National Mental Health Association site, Operation Healthy Reunions, distributes mental health-related educational materials to soldiers and their families on such topics as reuniting with your spouse and children, adjusting after war, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
The National Center for PTSD (NCPTSD) works to advance the clinical care and social welfare of U.S. Veterans through research, education and training on PTSD and stress-related disorders. The site has fact sheets and videos on post traumatic stress and trauma and includes information for veterans and their families, health care providers, mental health providers and researchers.
PTSD Compensation and Military Service
This National Academies Press Web site enables visitors to read and/or order online the 256-page book, PTSD Compensation and Military Services. It recommends ways to fix shortcomings in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' program for evaluating and compensating veterans for service-connected PTSD and to restore confidence that the agency is compensating all veterans fairly. The report also addresses questions about how long after a traumatic event PTSD can arise and how to better manage PTSD claims related to sexual harassment or assault during military service.
Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families
This section of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration's Web site provides critical information to veterans and their families on prevention, treatment and recovery support for mental and substance use disorders.
Tragedy Assistance Programs (TAPS)
This Web site details the various levels of support that the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a nonprofit Veterans Service Organization, provides to the surviving families of those who have died in service to the United States. Services include a 24-hour network for survivors, caseworkers to assist in problem solving, weekly Internet survivor chat, casualty officer and commander assistance, grief counseling referral and quarterly military survivor magazine.
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is operating a national suicide prevention hotline for veterans, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), to ensure that those with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals. Mental health professionals in Canandaigua, New York, take toll-free calls from throughout the country and work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers.
VA Offers Counseling for Those Coping with Loss of Active-duty Servicemember
This March 5, 2005 archived Stars and Stripes article provides information on grief counseling available through the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of Readjustment Counseling to families of troops who die while on active duty.

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Miscellaneous Information

DeployMed ResearchLINK
The Department of Defense's Web site, DeployMed ResearchLINK, enables service members, veterans, their families and other members of the public to access medical research information by geographic region, major deployment or health topic of interest. Information on the most recent military deployments, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, is included.
DTRALink
This site from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, part of the U.S. Department of Defense, is a resource for family members of those who have been deployed, sent on remote assignments or are on extended temporary duty (TDY) by providing information on available support and policies.
Health of Veterans & Deployed Forces - Institute of Medicine
The Institute of Medicine (IoM) has created a Web site with information about a variety of military-related health issues. The site has four separate sections covering the last four major military conflicts (WWII, Vietnam, Korea, and the Gulf War). The site includes IoM-produced reports, information on pending reports, studies about chemical and biological agents suspected of causing health problems for military members and information about deployment health.
Occupational Safety and Health Program
This site summarizes the Veterans Health Administration's occupational health program plans, activities, and accomplishments in VA central office, focusing primarily on workers' compensation and clinical occupational health activities.
Other Help
The New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs provides links, addresses and phone numbers for a wide variety of veterans' organizations on its site.
Project 112 (Including Project SHAD)
This site provides information about Project 112 (including Project SHAD). Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) was a series of tests conducted by the Department of Defense (DoD) during the 1960s to determine the effectiveness of shipboard detection of chemical and biological warfare agents, the protective measures against these agents, and the potential risk to U.S. forces posed by the agents. Project 112 involved similar tests conducted on land. The site includes information letters, a Questions-and-Answers document, several DoD fact sheets, plus information about filing a claim, including doing so online.
  • Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposure Web site - This Department of Defense Force Health Protection and Readiness Directorate Web site is designed to provide Service members, veterans, their families and the public with information about the testing of chemical and biological warfare agents from 1942 to 1975. The Web site presents sections on World War II, Project 112/SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense), and the Cold War.
  • Long-Term Health Effects of Participation in Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense)
    This National Academies Press Web site enables visitors to read and/or order online the 142-page book, Long-term Health Effects of Participation in Project SHAD. The authors find no clear evidence that specific long-term health effects are associated with participation in Project SHAD. However, because of limitations in the study response rates and the size of the study, the report's findings should not be misconstrued as clear evidence that there are no possible long-term health effects related to SHAD involvement.
Military OneSource 1-800-342-9647
This Web site, operated by the Pentagon, offers a wide range of assistance to military personnel and their family including help with child care, personal finances, emotional support during deployments, relocation information, or resources needed for special circumstances. The service is available by phone, online and face-to-face through private counseling sessions in the local community. Services are available 24/7/365.
  • Wounded Warrior Resource Center
    The Department of Defense's Military OneSource service has established a Wounded Warrier Resource Center telephone number and e-mail address for service members and their families, if they have concerns or other difficulties during their recovery process. Service memebers and their family members can now call (800) 342-9647 or e-mail wwrd@militaryonesource.com 24/7 to request support. Assistance provided by the resource center will not replace the specialized wounded warrior programs established by each of the military services, but it will offer another avenue of assistance for military families, health care services, and/or benefits information.
U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program
Formerly called the Disabled Soldier Support System (DS3), the name was changed to the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) on November 10, 2005. The program is designed for soldiers severely wounded in the war on terror and provides information and assistance to aid soldiers and their families through the recovery process and beyond, from medical evacuation to reintegration into the workforce.
Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline 1-800-984-8523
U.S. Army leaders established the call center at Human Resources Command, Alexandria, VA, to help wounded troops and family members resolve medical issues and to ensure direct reporting of those issues to senior Army leadership. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days per week, at 800-984-8523.

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