Veterans have access to a 24/7 online health library that provides information and education about treatments and conditions offered by VA.
The Veterans Health Library (VHL) has over 1,500 health sheets and 150 videos in both English and Spanish. It gives Veterans access to health information to help them make informed decisions on their care. VA clinicians are also aware of the VHL. The medical content in the library aligns with Department of Defense and VA clinical guidelines.
Becky Hartt Minor, a health educator and program manager for the VHL, said the program has grown.
“The VHL is nearly eight years old, and we average nearly a million page views a year,” she said. “We know Veterans want a source for medical information that is relevant and provides easy to read information on health conditions ranging from PTSD and Mental Health to Chronic Pain and Heart Disease.”
What Veterans are saying about the Veterans Health Library
“I was preparing for cardiac surgery and wanted more information. Something to supplement what my provider and nurse practitioner had already given me. I stopped by the VA facility library, got on the computer and got into the VHL. It was easy to find the trusted health information I needed.
“Within seconds, I was able to view several cardiovascular videos, download a few online guides, and print out several educational pamphlets. I was amazed with the quantity and quality of the information I found on my heart condition and pending procedure.”
The VHL both is mobile friendly and offers links to other VA resources. It can be also be accessed on the MyHealtheVet web site where Veterans use secure messaging to communicate with their VA care providers and order their prescriptions for home delivery.
Unlike other health web sites, the Veterans Health Library is free of advertisements and pop up ads. Visit veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov today to stay well and well-informed.
Jay Shiffler is a communications specialist with VA’s National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
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Looks great !!! It’s looks like an exciting, valuable treasure ! Am thankful for this potential gift.
I used the VA’s Health Library to prove my secondary service connection when the VSR and C&P examiner claimed that my secondary condition had no evidence of any relation to my primary condition (despite my submitted DBQs and medical records stating that the condition was caused by my service connected primary condition). Well the VA plainly states in the health library sheet on the secondary condition that it “often” is caused by my primary condition and that treatment for it depends on treatment for the primary condition. After that a C&P examiner spontaneously “located” my medical records that the other had missed and VSR had ignored stating plainly that my conditions were related, and I was granted service connection. Now I am only fighting about their completely bogus zero percent rating when my DBQ and medical records qualify me for a 40% rating. I suggest if you have trouble proving your service connection you submit the VA’s own Health Library documents to prove your claim. They ignored my NIH and CDC submissions, which is stupid since that should at least create an “as least as likely as not” scenario when supported by my doctor’s plain nexus statements. Not a fan of VA’s “proclaimant” claims processing bordering on fraud. To “overlook” ALL of my private treatment records submitted and DBQs.
I was in Vietnam in 1968 and1969. I was an interrogator and did field interruption with different army and marine units. I was exposed to agent orange. In 2009 I was diagnosed with colon cancer( stage 3b) I had surgery and they removed part of my lower intestine and had several months of chemo. At the time the VA rep at the VA hospital in Atlanta said colon cancer was not on the list of causes from agent orange. Has this changed?
Hello Jerry, unfortunately that has not changed. I am a Veteran Service Officer that assist veterans to file for VA disability Claims. The link below ill take you to VA.gov where you can find the most current information on presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange.
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/index.asp#veterans
If anyone had trouble finding there way thru the jungle as I did try this link: https://www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov/
What do you have on anger management to get it under control. I don’t drink nor do drugs but had a lousy childhood growing up. My Dad was a very strict parent and I was number 10 of 11 kids. Yes I got beat for things I never did. Got blamed for everything that went wrong. My new life started in the service and now since I am retired, I have no energy. I believe depression is setting in. After 47 years of being a provider for my wife, she is filed for divorce. I am 71 years old and don’t know where to turn. I have called about 6 or 7 behaviour folks. And so far no go. I truly believe my past is coming back and it’s bad .
call the VA crisis line Ed.
Hi Edward
I feel you on the anger, depression and feeling discombobulated. Call the crisis line (800) 273-8255 and I think it’s option 1. PTSD is not something you want to deal with by yourself. I’m Bi-polar with PTSD and they have rescued me many a times even when I thought I was ok. I’m old fashion with the mind set I can manage this by myself…I’m ok. Well I wasn’t and I couldn’t manage it by myself. It’s ok to ask for help but more important it’s ok to accept the help….you’ll be a better and healthier person for it. My stubborn attitude finally gave in and after much work and yes medication (yes again my stubbornness had to give in) I am whole. You have to put in the work for your sanity. You have to accept the help. You have to take the medication and if it’s not working just don’t accept it talk to your Dr. come up either resolutions that will work. Get yourself a psychologist and a psychiatrist they work hand in hand with your interest in mind. Be healthy, love yourself, be good to yourself and most of all ask for help…you will be better for it. Good luck
Do they offer all services defined by the library? Or is there an indication on what is covered and what isn’t?
McGuire has been great to me, so happy I live only 30 minutes away from my house and I consider myself lucky to live so close to such a great medical facility.
I think the link is https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/medical-library
Tom, that link is not valid. Does not work.
I am a veteran from a family of veterans, which, I have been told,, began with the Buffalo soldiers. I, like Anthony, would like more information as to how I can best utilize this site.
There is a link above at the end of the article to reach the site and search for topics in the library.
Just found out today about your Library.
Never too late to learn.
I will use this information .
Alright, I had a scan for aneurysm, a couple of months ago. My civilian Dr would like to see the records. How can I arrange that?
Where’s the link to the Veteran’s Health Library?
in the first paragraph I think
Google Veterans Health Library.
so how do i use this site?
where do i ask my questions?
One way to use this website is to research conditions related to your service-connected disability…when the C&P examiner makes a comment like “Disease X does not cause symptom Y,” review the VA Health Library…great resource to prove otherwise.