Veterans and Military Health

Photograph of a U.S. Army Drill Team executing precision drill movements during a festival

My HealtheVet

My HealtheVet, the Gateway to Veteran Health and Wellness

TRICARE

TRICARE is the healthcare program for active duty and retired service personnel, their eligible family members and survivors.

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

Preventing Suicides in the Military

Disclaimers

MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

Alcohol Use Screening

02/28/2017 04:12 PM EST

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, Veterans and Military Health

Health Programs for Veterans

02/28/2017 04:12 PM EST

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Related MedlinePlus Page: Veterans and Military Health

Sexual Trauma: Women Veterans Health Care

02/28/2017 04:12 PM EST

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Related MedlinePlus Page: Veterans and Military Health

Depression Screening

02/28/2017 04:12 PM EST

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Depression, Veterans and Military Health

Substance Abuse Screening

02/28/2017 04:12 PM EST

Source: Department of Veterans Affairs
Related MedlinePlus Pages: Drug Abuse, Veterans and Military Health

Summary

Military service members and veterans face some different health issues than civilians. During combat, the main health concerns are life-threatening injuries. These include

Shrapnel and gunshot wounds
Lost limbs
Head and brain injuries

There may also be a risk of health problems from exposure to environmental hazards, such as contaminated water, chemicals, and infections.

Being in combat and being separated from your family can be stressful. The stress can put service members and veterans at risk for mental health problems. These include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse. Suicide can also be a concern.

Start Here

eBenefits: My Gateway to Benefits Information (Department of Veterans Affairs)Also in Spanish
Health Programs for Veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs)
MyHealtheVet (VA's personal health record) (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Veterans Health Administration

Latest News

'Superbug' Infections Down 30 Percent At VA Hospitals (01/06/2017, HealthDay)

Prevention and Risk Factors

Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255 (Department of Veterans Affairs)

Related Issues

Compensation: How to Apply (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors: 2016 Online Edition (Department of Veterans Affairs)
For Homeless Veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Health Benefits: Easy Ways to Apply for Enrollment (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel (National Center for PTSD) - PDF
Rights and Responsibilities of VA Patients and Residents of Community Living Centers (Department of Veterans Affairs)

Specifics

About Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Agent Orange (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Burn Pits (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Diseases and Conditions (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Infectious Diseases - Diseases Related to Service in Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Medically Unexplained Symptoms (Department of Veterans Affairs) - PDF
Mental Health Concerns: Veterans & Active Duty (NAMI) - PDF
Military Exposures (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs) - PDF
Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Suicide (Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury) - PDF
Traumatic Brain Injury: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish
Viral Hepatitis (Department of Veterans Affairs)
When a Service Member May Be at Risk for Suicide (Department of Defense)

Health Check Tools

Alcohol Use Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Depression Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Substance Abuse Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)

Videos and Tutorials

Anger (Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury)
PTSD: National Center for PTSD (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Veterans Crisis Line: Videos About Reaching out for Help (Department of Veterans Affairs)