Women Veterans: Share Your Deployment Story
At VA, we understand your military service.
At VA, we understand your military service. Our providers are specially trained in caring for women Veterans. Share your deployment story with your provider and include details like when and where you served, and the tasks that you performed. These details will help your provider create a personalized care plan that includes screenings and treatments for any deployment-related health concerns. Learn more: https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/
Q. What is my deployment story? What details should I share with my provider?
A. Share as much as you feel comfortable. Any details about your deployment will be helpful to your provider, including details that may seem minor like medications you were prescribed and how long you took them or procedures you underwent while deployed. At a minimum, share when and where you were deployed and what tasks you performed while deployed.
If you experienced sexual assault or harassment during your time in the service, VA can help, and you can share this experience with your provider. We believe you and we believe in you. You can receive care for this even if you are not enrolled in VA health care, are not eligible for other care at VA, and have no documentation or proof of the incident(s).
Q. How do I know if I have a deployment-related health concern?
A. There are a variety of health concerns that may be related to certain deployments and roles. The best way to determine if your health concern is a result of your deployment is to share your deployment story with your provider. They can recommend screenings for you, work with you to determine if any of your health concerns are related to these experiences, and also develop a treatment plan for your unique circumstances.
Q. What treatments are there for deployment-related health conditions?
A. Treatment for deployment-related health concerns are not one-size-fits-all. VA offers many different treatments for the full range of deployment-related health concerns; these treatments can include physical and mental health care as well as whole health approaches like yoga and tai chi. The best way to know if you have a deployment-related health concern and to get treatment for these concerns is to share your deployment story with your provider and work together with them to make an individual plan.