Portland VA Clinic

We provide the full spectrum of substance use disorder treatment, from acute withdrawal management, to longitudinal outpatient treatment.

Our Medical Center and clinics provide a comprehensive array of treatment options for Substance Use Disorders, including inpatient withdrawal management, intensive outpatient programming, individual and group therapy and medication management. Residential treatment is available through referral to nearby VA Medical Centers.

Available in person at Togus, or system-wide through virtual formats.

Our Audiology and Speech Pathology clinic provides diagnostic and rehabilitative services, VA compensation and pension examinations, and screening for employee hearing conservation. We offer a full range of audiology and speech pathology services like:

• Hearing and balance evaluations
• Selection, management, and repair of hearing aids and assistive listening device assessments
• Evaluation, programming, and management of cochlear implants and bone-anchored implants
• Evaluation and treatment for auditory processing disorder
• Services that help with speech, language, fluency, voice, cognitive communication, swallowing, stuttering, and laryngectomy (surgical removal of the larynx, which contains your vocal cords)

Learn more about VA hearing aids

We perform noninvasive and minimally invasive tests and procedures that check, support, and improve your heart health. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and treat you with the most effective medications. Our services include:

• Evaluating you for coronary heart disease, heart-valve disease, and heart defect though ultrasound or echo 
• Determining how well blood flows through your heart vessels or find the cause of your heart failure by an echo or stress test (only done at Togus campus at present )
• Noninvasively monitoring you for changes in heart rhythm, using electrocardiograms (EKGs or ECGs), portable Holter monitors, or ultrasound (ultrasounds available only at Togus)
• Performing surgical treatments like pacemaker implants (available only at Togus)
• Perform routine pacemaker or defibrillator check-ups (available at Togus and Lewiston campuses)

Appointments: Contact us to schedule, reschedule or cancel your appointment. If you have never been seen by VA Maine cardiology or it has been more than two years since your last visit a referral from your doctor is needed 

Hours of availability vary by location.

If you’re eligible for VA dental care, we offer a full range of quality dental services like:

• 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

Watch this video to learn who is eligible to receive Dental care from the VA and what options are there if you are not eligible: VA Maine Today Dental Services.

Oral surgery procedures are not conducted at Community Based Outpatient Clinics. 

We diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and other endocrine system problems that can create or complicate serious medical conditions like diabetes, obesity, and thyroid or parathyroid disorders. Our endocrinologists can:

• Measure the level of various hormones in your body
• Measure your blood glucose level
• Determine the cause and proper treatment of endocrine and metabolic disorders

Our gynecologist evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions including pelvic pain, heavy periods, growths on your uterus or ovaries, abnormal pap smear, infertility, urinary incontinence, and more. 

We provide you with advanced medical care, surgery, and minimally invasive procedures for health issues that affect the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, or bladder.

Appointments:

To obtain specialty gynecology services contact your primary care provider. They refer you to us. Once referred, our scheduler will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services. Our laboratory and pathology services include:

• Study of blood, urine, and other bodily fluids for illness management
• Testing for infectious diseases
• Cytopathology (study of unusual cells) and surgical pathology (study of tissue removed during surgery)
• Autopsy services

*At Togus, walk-ins are accepted for all services excluding Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Our medical center and clinics provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being. Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for:

• Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression
• Marriage and relationship problems
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety, addictive behaviors, and personality disorders
• Aggressive or self-harming behaviors

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

We provide care for military sexual trauma in our mental (behavioral) health clinics. MST-related care also includes treatment for physical conditions that resulted from the MST experience. Our services include: 

• Counseling
• Compensated work therapy
• Homeless services
• Psychological testing
• Psychiatric care
• Medical evaluation and treatment for MST-related conditions

My HealtheVet is the VA’s patient portal for 24/7 access to online medical records and services.

From the convenience of any computer on the internet, Veterans can

• Securely message healthcare teams.
• Refill prescriptions with the click of a key, track Rx shipping.
• Check appointments and receive email appointment reminders.
• Schedule and request appointments for primary care or mental health.
• Review lab results, radiology, and other tests.
• Download healthcare records and review provider notes.
• Download medical images like X-rays, mammograms, CTs, and MRIs.
• Use our trusted and extensive Veterans Health Library.

REGISTER or Sign In at: My HealtheVet

Premium Upgrade / Authentication to use all features can be done at any VA Maine primary care office,  the Togus Release of Information desk, and with most front desks of outpatient services.  You can also call our coordination to do this by video connections with our coordinator.

Mike L’Abbe

My HealtheVet Coordinator

Phone:  Email:    Michael.labbe@va.gov

Our team of kidney doctors (nephrologists) actively manage all aspects of adult kidney disease, kidney and bladder stones, renal hypertension (high blood pressure caused by kidney disease), and mineral and bone disorders. We provide inpatient and outpatient services, like: 

• Dialysis preparation and referral
• Management/evaluation of hypertension and resistant hypertension management
• Management/evaluation of CKD 2-5
• Kidney stone management/evaluation
• Evaluation/management of electrolyte disturbances
• Kidney transplant evaluation, and kidney disease education

To obtain specialty nephrology services contact your primary care provider. They refer you to us. Once referred, our scheduler will contact you to schedule an appointment.

Our optometrists provide many eye-related services and treatments like:

• Vision services and eye exams
• Treatment for diseases and injuries of the retina, cornea, and other parts of your eye
• Low-vision services for conditions like macular degeneration that can’t be corrected by glasses, surgery, or medication
• Screening eye exams for diabetic patients

All VA Maine Clinic locations have an optical shop where you can pick out frames and lenses and get repairs and adjustments for VA issued eyewear.

Provides consultation and evaluations; surgical procedures include total joint replacements, arthroscopy, arthroplasty, and hand surgery. We also do operative and non-operative fracture care of upper and lower extremities.

If you have symptoms of PTSD after a traumatic event, we can help. We offer assessment and treatment support such as private counseling, group therapy and medication. It’s never too late to get help.

Our medical center and clinics provide patient-centered and recovery-oriented treatment for PTSD and co-occurring conditions including individual, group, and couples therapy and medication management. We offer assessment and treatment for survivors of all forms of trauma including complex childhood abuse/neglect, military trauma, MST, and civilian trauma. Treatment options consistent with first-line (i.e., “strongly recommended”) recommendations in the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines are available at all VHA points of service (Togus and CBOCs). Outpatient and specialty outpatient PTSD services are provided in person and virtually. Residential treatment is available through referral to nearby VA Medical Centers.

Available in-person at Togus, or system-wide through virtual formats.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy and kinesiotherapy can help restore movement and function if you have been disabled by injury or disease.

If you’re living with or recovering from an injury, illness, or chronic condition that limits your mobility and independence, we can help. Our physical, occupational, and movement therapists combine therapeutic exercise, counseling, education, and training to help you improve your health and quality of life. Our services include:

• Joint mobilization
• Movement and exercise therapies to improve your strength, endurance, balance, and coordination
• Mobility assessment and training with wheelchairs, scooters, and walking devices
• Life skills training and activities to help you maintain the highest level of independence and functionality
• Evaluation and treatment for a wide range of medical, orthopedic, psychosocial, and neurological conditions

At Community Based Outpatient Clinics only Physical Therapy is offered. 

WANT MORE INFORMATION? HAVE QUESTIONS? READY TO GET STARTED?

If you want any of the above services REQUEST A Physical OR Occupational THERAPY CONSULT from YOUR VA PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER

Our podiatry specialists evaluate and treat a wide range of injuries, diseases and disorders that affect your feet and ankles—from ingrown toenails to inflammation to diabetic foot ulcers.

Our podiatry services include:

• Trauma of foot and ankle
• Acute diabetic foot issues (infections, wounds, etc.)
• Infections, wounds/ulcerations foot and ankle
• Foot deformities and pain (Plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, etc.)
• High risk foot care

Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life, including immunizations and vaccinations. They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you.

A strong network of family and internal medicine specialists and services can offer you the best possible care. Internal medicine doctors (internists) prevent, diagnose, and treat adult diseases. Doctors who specialize in family medicine provide primary health care to the entire family. Your primary care team can coordinate the many services you receive such as:

• Labs and blood work
• Mental health care
• Women's health care
• Radiology
• Social services
• Telehealth

We provide and help you use medical aids, hearing aids, state-of-the-art adaptive home equipment and other equipment to help you preserve and increase your mobility and independence.

Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) provides comprehensive support to optimize health and independence of the Veteran. This includes a full range of equipment and services that range from items worn by the Veteran, such as an artificial limb or hearing aid; those that improve accessibility, such as ramps and vehicle modifications; to devices surgically placed in the Veteran, such as hips and pacemakers.

• Amputation Care, Orthotic & Prosthetic Clinic: Custom-fabricated & fitted devices (e.g., diabetic shoes, shoe inserts, bracing, compression stockings, artificial limbs, etc.) 
• Durable Medical Equipment [e.g., hospital beds, patient lifts, stair glides, modular ramps, BP monitors, TENS units, ADLs, bathroom safety equipment, mobility aids (e.g., walkers, canes, crutches, etc.)]
• Wheelchairs & Special Mobility Devices (e.g., power wheelchairs, scooters etc.), Wheelchair Lifts & Vehicle Modifications (passenger equipment only)
• Communication & Assistive Devices, Telehealth Equipment, Aids for Blindness & Visual Impairment, Sensory Aids (e.g.,  hearing aids & eyeglasses, etc.)
• Home Respiratory Care Equipment (e.g., oxygen, CPAP & ventilators, etc.), Surgical Implants
• Prosthetic Benefit Programs: Clothing Allowance, Home Improvement & Structural Alterations, Automobile Adaptive Equipment

To schedule an appointment, please contact . Referrals required.

If you’re struggling with a mental health problem—or just need to talk with someone—we can help. We offer treatment and support such as therapy, alternative treatments and medications when needed.

Our psychology teams offer consultation, evaluation and treatment for Veterans dealing with:

• Depression (including sadness and grief) and/or anxiety (including worry and nervousness)
• Substance use disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder and combat related stress disorder
• Behavioral problems, including anger management, and relationship difficulties
• Confused thinking, attention and memory problems, and troublesome thoughts or ideas

We offer radiology and imaging services to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. Our services include:

• X-ray
• Ultrasound (available at Togus, Bangor and Lewiston) 
• Computer tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Nuclear Medicine
• Interventional Radiology (IR)

At Community Based Outpatient Clinics only x-ray and ultrasound are offered. 

Our doctors treat inflammation, stiffness, or pain in your muscles, joints, and tendons. Common rheumatic illnesses include:

• Juvenile idiopathic and infectious arthritis
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus, gout, and scleroderma

If you are trying to quit smoking or want to stop using tobacco, we can help you with support, resources and programs.

You can quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Our goal is to provide support and strategies to add to optional nicotine replacement therapy prescribed by your primary care doctor. These include:

• FDA-approved medications to manage nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke.
• Counseling available in group or one-on one using Quitline.

The mission of VA Social Workers is to assist Veterans, their families and caregivers in resolving Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) challenges to health and well-being. Social Work is woven into the fabric of VA health care, providing clinical interventions and services across the VA continuum of care.

Please contact your primary care provider or primary care RN to request a referral to a primary care social worker.

We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis. We offer:

• Suicide prevention care coordinators
• Suicide prevention case managers
• Gun safety locks

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers. We offer video conferencing, home telehealth services, and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities. We offer telehealth visits with providers in:

• Mental health
• Tele-Eye imaging
• Nutrition services
• Dermatology
• Rehabilitation
• Primary care
• Pharmacy specialists
• Geriatric services
• Neurology
• Nephrology
• Palliative care
• Caregiver support

Learn more about telehealth

TOXIC EXPOSURES

While toxic exposure is defined by law, generally there are several types of possible exposures or hazards Veterans may have experienced during their military service. Some common examples appear below.

» Open Burn Pits/Airborne Hazards: Contaminants or substances in the air including smoke and fumes from open burn pits and fine particulate matter.

» Gulf War related exposures: Veterans may have been exposed to a variety of environmental hazards including pesticides and oil well fires.

» Agent Orange: An herbicide used to thin-out thick foliage commonly found in jungles and fields.

» Radiation: Exposure from sources such as nuclear weapons.

» Camp Lejeune contaminated water exposure: Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, Veterans and their families may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water.

» Other exposures: There are other potential toxic exposures that may occur during military service.

MANAGE YOUR HEALTH

Proactively developing a long-term health care plan with your care team can help detect conditions early and treat or lessen the effect of complications resulting from exposure(s).

TALK WITH A VA PROVIDER:

» Call 1-800-MyVA411 then press 8, or a local VA clinical care team

» Send a secure message to your clinical care team through your patient portal:

My HealtheVet at: www.myhealth.va.gov or My VA Health at: patientportal.myhealth.va.gov

» Discuss exposure concerns at your next VA appointment

ENROLL IN VA CARE:

» Online www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction

» Call 877-222-VETS (8387)

» Visit your nearest VA medical center and enroll in person: www.va.gov/find-locations

REGISTRY HEALTH EXAMS

Registry health exams are no-cost voluntary environmental exposure medical exams. VA has several health registries– these include: Agent Orange, Airborne Hazard and Open Burn Pit, Gulf War (includes Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn), Ionizing Radiation, Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program, Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center.

» You may be eligible to participate in one or more of these health registries. Note: The registry evaluation is not a compensation exam or required for other VA benefits.

» Registries can alert you to possible health problems related to your military service and help VA better understand and respond to these health problems more effectively.

SCHEDULE A REGISTRY EXAM WITH YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COORDINATOR

» Online www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp

» Call 1-800-MyVA411, then press 8

» Visit your local VA Medical Center

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

» Visit www.va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MyVA411, then press 8

» Information on military environmental exposures: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/index.asp

» Exposure benefits information: www.va.gov/disability/eligibility

» Download the free VA Exposure Ed mobile app: mobile.va.gov/app/exposure-ed

VA PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS

Veterans may be eligible for disability benefits and/or compensation if they have a health condition that results in disability and was connected to their military service. For many health conditions, you need to prove that your service caused your condition. For some conditions, we automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. We call these “presumptive conditions.” We consider a condition presumptive when it’s established by law or regulation. If you have a presumptive condition, you do not need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.

BENEFITS

» Veterans with presumptive diseases may be eligible for benefits such as disability compensation

» Surviving spouses, dependent children and/or parents of deceased Veterans may be eligible for benefits such as dependency and indemnity compensation and accrued benefits

» Veterans who had claims that were previously denied can file supplemental claims

» To File a Claim for Benefits

• Submit online: www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim

• Access VA benefits: www.ebenefits.va.gov

• Call VA Benefits hotline: for help filing a claim

• Locate a local Veteran Service Officer www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp

How can Veterans apply for service compensation?

• Call the VA benefits assistance center schedule an appointment to meet with a benefits counselor:

1-

• Call the Togus Regional Benefits Office

1-

o Appointments can be made at the Togus Regional office located at 1 VA Center, Augusta

ME 04330

• Applications can be done online or via paper

o To apply directly online using a MHV or ID.me account visit:

https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/

o Or VA Form 21-526EZ can be printed and mailed to:

Department of Veterans Affairs

Claims Intake Center

PO Box 4444

Janesville, WI 5354

Tips:

• Speak with someone at the VBA first before submitting your application, as the form can be

confusing and wording you use is important

• Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) can also help with submitting claims and assisting with self[1]advocacy, see contact information below

• Veterans Benefits Administration Togus Regional Office Building 248 Office Phone:
• Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services Building 248 Room 110 Veteran Service Officer Phone:
• Disabled American Veterans Building 248, Room 114 Veteran Services Officer Phone:
• Paralyzed Veterans of America Building 248, Room 112 Veterans Service Officer Phone:
• Veterans of Foreign Wars Building 248, Rm 117 Veterans Service Officer Phone:
• American Legion Building 205 Room 318 Veteran Services Officer Office Phone:

More information on the PACT Act can be found here: VA Maine PACT Act Resources

• Beneficiary Travel (BT) provides access to care through travel reimbursement to eligible Veterans and payment for some transportation services on behalf of certain eligible Veterans.

  Travel reimbursement staff are located at Togus, but Veterans can submit their paper claim at Togus or the CBOCs.

Our expert team diagnoses and treats diseases and conditions that affect arteries, veins and blood circulation.

Provides consultation surgical care for patients with Carotid Artery Disease, Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease, Aneurysm Disease, Reno Vascular Disease, and Visceral Artery Disease.  A Vascular Lab is also available for studies in the care of such disease.

Whole Health is VA's approach to patient-centered, proactive, whole-person care. It combines conventional clinical care with complementary and integrative approaches, community support, and skill building for self-care to help people take charge of their health and live life to the fullest. Evidence shows that Whole Health improves health outcomes and clinician satisfaction.

Whole Health At VA Maine | VA Maine Health Care | Veterans Affairs

We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings, mental health treatment, recovery from military sexual trauma, maternity care and female-specific medical equipment.

VA Maine Healthcare System supports the health, welfare, and dignity of female Veterans and their families by ensuring equal access to timely, sensitive, and quality care. Our local facility offers a variety of services, including: 

• Women’s gender-specific health-screening and disease prevention at all sites of care.
• All Breast Health Care Services (Screening, Diagnostic and Treatments) is done locally, closer to the Veteran, through Community Care with authorization and coordination with their Primary Care Pact Team.
• Routine Gynecological Care may be done on site or may be done through Community Care with authorization and coordination with the Veterans Primary Care Pact Team.
• Reproductive Health Services may be done on site or through Community Care with authorization and coordination with the Veterans Primary Care Pact Team.
• Pregnancy, Delivery services, Newborn Care is all done locally, through Community Care with authorization and coordination with their Primary Care Pact Team.
• Genetic Counseling concerning inheritance of genetically determined diseases (through e-consult, video consults).
• Mental Health Service/Therapy- for Gender Sensitive Conditions/Issues.
• Prosthetic Packages designed for our Women Veterans-Lactation Package, and  Breast Cancer Prosthetic Supplies.
• Whole Health Education Programs .

Contact VA Maine’s Women Veterans Program Manager at   ext. 4017 for more information regarding available services or information regarding your healthcare benefits.

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator