Health services

Reach out to the VA Health Connect Clinical Contact Center to speak with a clinical triage nurse if you have questions about your care or for help in deciding whether you need an urgent or routine appointment.

The clinical triage registered nurses in our VA Health Connect Clinical Contact Center are available to provide you an evaluation of symptoms and concerns, and answers to many of your health care questions. Call anytime. We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, our nurses can:

• Help you manage many of your basic health care needs
• Answer questions about your current medications or medical condition
• Discuss your health care concerns and help you decide the best way to handle them
• Offer improved access to VA services

You can reach the 24-hour triage nurse line at 833-983-0487, option 3.

• To speak with a pharmacy staff member, choose option 1, then option 2
• To speak with a primary care scheduler, choose option 2, then option 1
• To speak with a nurse, choose option 3

We assess your situation and condition to decide which outpatient geriatric services are right for you or a senior Veteran in your care, and then we coordinate your care. Our team of specialists provides geriatric services that include:

• Medicine and nursing
• Psychology, psychiatry, and social work
• Physical and occupational therapy

Learn more about VA long-term care

Our pharmacy makes it easy for Veterans to get the medications and medical supplies they need quickly and conveniently. You can:

• Pick up new prescriptions in person
• Refill prescriptions online and by phone or mail
• Safely dispose of medicines

Learn more about our pharmacy

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, like:

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

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.

Our women's health program offers comprehensive health care for women-identifying Veterans of all ages. Our women’s health primary care providers (WH-PCPs) specialize in meeting women’s health care needs at all primary care clinics throughout the health care system.

Women’s health primary care providers (WH-PCPs) with specialized training in women’s health are available at all of our sites. WH-PCPs work in collaboration with patient-aligned care teams (PACT) to provide gender-specific care (like Pap smears and reproductive health care including birth control, reproductive health counseling including abortion care, and menopause) as well as non-gender specific care from a woman’s lens (like diabetic & hypertensive care) across the lifespan.

There are also many specialty care services that may be interesting to women-identifying Veterans including but not limited to:

• Women’s health care across the lifespan care
• Pap smears
• Mammograms
• Gynecology
• Maternity care via community care
• Lactation support
• Infertility benefits
• Family planning and abortion care
• Pelvic floor dysfunction physical therapy
• Comprehensive pain clinic
• Oncology care
• Rheumatology
• Cardiology
• MOVE weight management classes
• Wellness classes (Tai chi, qigong, yoga)
• Psychology
• Peer support specialist (MST, alcohol/drug use, depression)
• Women’s Trauma Recovery Program for PTSD
• Military sexual trauma (MST) screening and support
• Intimate partner violence resources and safety planning
• Spinal cord injury care

Learn more and connect with a Women Veterans Program Manager

We offer a variety of outpatient and inpatient services to Veterans to help them in their journey to recovery. Our residential facility provides 24-hour support, therapy, and education to Veterans who may be struggling with substance abuse, homelessness, mental health, or unemployment issues.

Programs include:

• Rehabilitation
• Health maintenance
• Community support

Learn more about our VA treatment programs

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 offer care for military sexual trauma in our mental (behavioral) health and specialty clinics. Military sexual trauma refers to sexual assault, sexual harassment, or other threatening, offensive, or unwanted sexual advances, activities, or remarks that you experienced in the military. Our goal is to help you improve your quality of life with strategies to manage emotions and memories related to your military sexual trauma. Our services include:

• Counseling
• Psychiatric care
• Walk-in care

Learn more about military sexual trauma

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.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. It’s normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. We can help you with effective treatments and support services, like:

• Psychiatric and psychological counseling
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders (including addictive behaviors)
• PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) offering specialized outpatient treatment for PTSD
• Trauma Recovery Services (TRS), including:
  • PTSD Intensive Outpatient Program (PTSD-IOP)
  • Men’s Trauma Recovery Program (MTRP): Men’s residential treatment
  • Women’s Trauma Recovery Program (WTRP): Women’s residential treatment
• Services for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• Transition and care management for returning Veterans (OIF/OEF/OND)

Learn more about PTSD

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.

Visit our mental health services page to learn more about our programs and treatment options

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.

Visit our mental health services page to learn more about our programs and treatment options

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
• Partnerships with various clinics and programs
• S.A.V.E. training and other training programs by request of the site/service within VA and at a community level
• Community outreach activities
• Gun safety locks

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

We diagnose, evaluate, and treat your asthma, allergies, and non-HIV immune deficiencies. Our services include:

• Skin tests, blood tests, and other exams to identify food, drug, insect, pollen, animal, dust, and other allergies
• Prescribing and managing allergy medications that can ease your symptoms by reducing your immune system response to the things that cause your allergic reaction
• Performing asthma tests to measure lung function and see how much air moves in and out as you breathe
• Prescribing long-term and quick-relief asthma medications to reduce inflammation and open your swollen airways
• Specialized treatments for your immune deficiency disorders

Our specially trained doctors, called anesthesiologists, can help with your care before, during, and after surgery. They will develop a plan for your care and safety, provide medicine to keep you comfortable during your operation, and help you manage your pain after surgery. Our services include:

• General anesthesia (intravenous drugs, inhaled gasses, or some combination) to keep you pain-free and in a sleep-like state during surgery or other medical procedures
• Regional anesthesia (injecting numbing drugs around nerves) to control pain in specific parts of your body during or after surgery
• Monitoring your breathing and vital body functions while you’re under anesthesia
• Working with the rest of your care team to manage your pain medications after your operation
• Coordinating care with your other health care professionals to facilitate a smooth transition from hospital to home

Our Palo Alto VA anesthesiologists follow the latest national guidelines to ensure excellent patient care. Find more information from the American Society of Anesthesiologists about anesthesiology and pain management.

Watch a short patient education video that covers nerve block catheter and pain pump management:
Nerve Block System Regional Anesthesia & Acute Pain Management System (video link)

Our audiology clinical staff provide diagnostic and rehabilitative services, VA compensation and pension examinations, and screening for employee hearing conservation. We offer a full range of audiology services to include:

• Hearing and balance evaluations including ototoxic monitoring and auditory brain stem response testing
• Tinnitus management (ringing, buzzing, and/or noises in the ear)
• Hearing conservation
• Selection, evaluation, programming, and management of hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored implants, and assistive listening devices
• Aural rehabilitation for patients and family members
• Evaluation and treatment for central auditory processing disorder

Learn more about VA hearing aids

Our speech pathology clinical staff provide diagnostic and rehabilitative services. We offer a full range of speech pathology services to include:

• Swallowing disorders including GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disorder)
• Cognitive, memory, attention, visual/spatial deficits
• Executive functioning and problem solving management
• Speech, language, and articulation difficulties
• Voice deficits including gender-affirming therapy and voice restoration
• Stuttering therapy

Our speech pathologists commonly work with patients who have traumatic brain injuries, neurological conditions like ALS, MS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and stroke, head/neck cancer, as well as laryngectomee patients.

Bariatric surgery, also called weight-loss surgery, reduces the size of your stomach, limits the amount of food you can eat, and leads to metabolic benefits. Bariatric surgery can be done in several ways, like:

• Gastric bypass, which shrinks your stomach size and re-routes your digestive system, so you don’t absorb as much food
• Sleeve gastrectomy, which removes part of your stomach, leaving only a slender “sleeve” that holds less food

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is a CARF-accredited 32-bed residential facility located on the Palo Alto VA campus. WBRC provides comprehensive and specialty vision rehabilitation programs for Veterans with visual impairments. Outpatient services are also available at multiple sites including Palo Alto.

Services include:

• Comprehensive eye exams
• Visual skills assessments and training to help you best use remaining vision
• Orientation and mobility assessment and training
• Guidance on how to develop visual motor and perceptual skills
• Training to help you manage daily activities with your vision loss
• Counseling and support for adjustment to sight loss including outpatient support

Family member or caregiver training is also available.

Visit the national Blind Rehabilitation Services (BRS) website for more information.

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:

• Comprehensive cardiovascular care including diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease, valvular and other structural heart disease, heart failure, and abnormal heart rhythms
• Cardiac imaging including echocardiography, MRI and CT coronary angiography and calcium scoring
• Women's heart clinic focused on diagnosing and treating heart disease specifically in our female Veterans
• Preventive cardiology clinic focused specifically on managing risk factors for heart disease such as cholesterol and blood pressure
• Advanced heart failure services including pre and post heart transplant management
• Interventional cardiology and structural heart procedures such as coronary angiography and stenting, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve repair/replacement, left atrial appendage closure, and ASD/PFO closure
• Complex heart rhythm procedures including ablations, pacemaker and defibrillator placement and lead extractions
• Other specialized programs such as aortic disease and amyloid cardiomyopathy clinics

Chiropractic care restores, improves, and maintains your function, activity, and health. We work with your primary care doctor and other specialty care providers to provide a complete health care plan for you. We offer many treatments, like:

• Spinal manipulative therapy to relieve pressure on your joints and reduce inflammation
• Electrical stimulation therapy, which reduces pain by sending mild electrical pulses through your skin to help stimulate injured muscles or manipulate nerves
• Soft-tissue mobilization, which uses gentle pressure or massage to relax tense muscles, reduce scar tissue, or stretch connective tissue
• Patient education and active rehabilitation

Instructional videos for patients

These video are for training purposes only. If you need additional instructions or have any concerns, please discontinue use and contact your provider as soon as possible. Please verify which device you were issued and follow the corresponding video below for instructions.

Intensity TWIN STIM III TENS-EMS unit instructions (video link)

Ultima5 TENS unit instructions (video link)

Surgical procedures for both cancerous and non-cancerous conditions of the colon, rectum, and anus are provided by surgical specialists including open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery.

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

We provide care for many medical and surgical skin conditions. Our dermatology services include:

• Medically necessary treatments for skin conditions like skin cancer and rashes
• Specialized treatments for acute (short-term) and chronic (long-lasting) skin conditions, like psoriasis, eczema, warts, and fungal illnesses
• Evaluation, biopsy, and treatment of cancerous or pre-cancerous skin conditions, like abnormal moles and lesions.
• Referrals for complex conditions
• Teledermatology (a telehealth resource), which gives patients quick access to expert opinions

We offer many medical and support services to help you manage your diabetes, like:

• Self-management, education, and support classes
• Insulin therapy and blood-glucose meter training
• Diabetes survival skills that include sick-day management, lifestyle changes, nutrition advice, and cooking classes

We diagnose and treat medical conditions in your esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, and other parts of your digestive system. We can also test and treat other organs, like your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Our gastroenterology department provides services like:

• Colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which use an endoscope (a long, flexible tube with a small camera on the end) that lets us examine your digestive system
• Endoscopic ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to create images that help us diagnose and evaluate digestive and lung diseases
• Small bowel capsule endoscopy, which uses a tiny wireless camera that takes pictures as it moves through your digestive system
• 24-hour pH study, which measures how much stomach acid is flowing into your esophagus and helps us assess conditions like severe heartburn and acid reflux

If you and your family are living with HIV or hepatitis, our dedicated professionals can provide compassionate care and counseling. Our confidential services include:

• HIV testing and treatment
• Medication (PEP) taken after potential exposure to HIV
• Diagnosis of viral hepatitis, acute or chronic
• Treatment of hepatitis B or C, if clinically indicated
• Monitoring of patient with inactive chronic hepatitis B
• Screening for hepatic fibrosis as a result of chronic viral hepatitis
• Specialty care referrals
• One-to-one patient education

We offer a range of hematology and oncology services. You can arrange appointments and consultation through your primary care provider. Our hematology and oncology services include:

• Chemotherapy
• Blood and platelet transfusions
• Mediport flushes to clean and maintain the small medical appliance inserted under your skin, making it easier to inject drugs and draw blood
• Evaluation and treatment of blood disorders and cancer
• Dedicated outpatient infusion center, working closely with radiation oncology, interventional radiology, general surgery, diagnostics, palliative care, and social services
• Bone marrow biopsies, to see whether your bone tissue is healthy and making a normal number of blood cells

Our hospitalists are Internal Medicine physicians who will oversee your care during your hospital stay, caring for a wide range of medical diagnoses on the inpatient wards. Our hospitalists are able to:

• Evaluate and diagnose medical issues
• Order and interpret blood work and other medical testing
• Prescribe and manage medications and other treatments
• Consult and coordinate care with subspecialty services

We evaluate and treat Veterans for serious or complex infections, including:

• Bone/joint infections
• Heart and vascular infections
• Complex lung, kidney/bladder infections
• Serious or recurrent skin and soft tissue infections
• Brain/spinal cord (central nervous system) infections
• Infections in immunocompromised persons
• Travel-related infection/illness
• Tuberculosis
• Valley fever
• Sexually transmitted infections

We also provide services for those seeking pre-travel vaccine/prevention recommendations, and HIV prevention counseling and treatments (PrEP).

State-of-the art care for Veterans with HIV/AIDS is delivered in the VA Palo Alto Immune Clinic (see “HIV/hepatitis care”).

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

MOVE! is a weight-management program designed to help you live a longer, healthier life. The program’s comprehensive approach focuses on healthy eating, staying physically active, and strategies to make and maintain these healthy lifestyle habits. The MOVE! program offers:

• Group classes, where you will learn and discuss in a positive, supportive environment
• An evidence-based curriculum based on sound science
• Behavioral change strategies that focus on your long-term health and well-being
• A team of clinicians and health coaches who work throughout VA Palo Alto health care
• MOVE TIME clinic offering weight loss medications, special diets, weight loss surgery, and endoscopic procedures for weight loss

Virtual classes and appointments are offered via VA Video Connect (VVC). Learn more and get started with the MOVE! Introduction class at VA Palo Alto.

You can also learn more about the MOVE! program and access weight management and healthy living resources on VA’s MOVE! weight management program website.

We provide inpatient and outpatient services for chronic diseases and disorders that affect your brain, spine, and the nerves that connect them. Our neurologists read electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings, which measure the electrical impulses brain cells use to communicate with each other. We evaluate and treat many neurological illnesses and disorders like:

• Neuropathy (nerve damage), myelopathy and other spinal cord injuries, and radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
• Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis
• Stroke, dementia, and degenerative diseases
• Other neurological conditions

Although many people think of neurosurgery as brain surgery, it’s much more. Our neurosurgeons diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions related to your nervous system, like:

• Brain, spinal cord, and spinal column injuries, illnesses, and disorders
• Brain and spinal tumors
• Neck pain and sciatica (nerve pain in your lower back hip, or leg)
• Herniated disks and degenerative illnesses of the spine

Our registered dietitians can help you stay healthy or become healthier. We offer nutrition advice and counseling in person, over the phone, or in a group setting that is tailored to your individual needs for the following topics:

• Cardiovascular and heart health
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes (including gestational diabetes)
• Eating disorders and digestive health
• Pregnancy and postpartum nutrition
• Weight management

We provide thorough assessment and treatment for any issues related to the eyes, such as illnesses, injuries, and more. Our ophthalmology services include:

• Medical care for glaucoma, eye infections, and other conditions
• Surgery for cataracts, traumatic eye injuries, and other problems
• Treatment for eye conditions related to illnesses like diabetes or arthritis
• Plastic surgery to repair droopy eyelids, clear blocked tear ducts, and perform eyelid and facial reconstruction (oculoplastics)

Our optometrists offer a variety of services and treatments for the eyes:

• 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
• Brain injury vision rehabilitative services for those dealing with vision issues due to head injuries and strokes
• Special eye exams for diabetic patients
• Medically indicated contact lenses

Our service deals with musculoskeletal problems of the arms and legs that may need surgery. These include fractures of bones, joint problems such as arthritis, injuries to tendons and ligaments, and orthopedic tumors in any location. Presently, spine problems are addressed by either physical medicine and rehabilitation (non-surgical) or neurosurgery (surgical). Hand problems are addressed by the Hand Service that is run by Plastic Surgery.

We personally see patients in Palo Alto, Livermore, San Jose, and Monterey. We also provide orthopedic consultations for Veterans in their own homes with VA telemedicine technology. Telemedicine visits can be done for Veterans in any location as long as they have a computer and an adequate internet connection.

Contact us

A consult from your primary care physician is required to schedule a clinic appointment. Our main number is 650-493-5000 ext. 66101.

Instructional videos for patients

Joint replacement surgery pre-op class (video link)
What to expect when having joint replacement surgery

Feedback survey / Question form

Total knee replacement at VA Palo Alto (video link)
What to expect when having total knee replacement surgery

Physical therapy after total knee replacement (video link)
Exercises you should do before and after surgery

Total hip replacement surgery at VA Palo Alto (video link)
How to prepare for surgery and what to expect before, during and after your hospitalization

Nerve block system regional anesthesia (video link)
Learn more about the procedure

Resources

• Total hip replacement (orthoinfo.org)
• Total knee replacement (orthoinfo.org)
• Other orthopedic injuries and surgeries (orthoinfo.org)

We evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions, like:

• Nasal and sinus problems
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Throat, lymph node, thyroid, and parathyroid tumors and other conditions
• Voice and swallowing disorders

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and therapists specialize in helping you improve all aspects of your health, such as managing your pain, becoming more independent, and having a better quality of life with services like:

• Personalized therapy for your rehabilitation
• Medication, stretching, and massage for short-term pain relief
• Strengthening exercises and movement therapy to increase fitness and prevent future pain
• Recreation therapy to create coping and social skills
• Occupational therapy to improve coordination and balance, and help you manage life skills and everyday activities
• Assessment and treatment of speech, language, and swallowing disorders

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:

• Pain relief and 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
• Aquatic therapy to manage chronic pain
• Evaluation and treatment for a wide range of medical, orthopedic, psychosocial, and neurological conditions

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.

After years of walking, running, marching, jumping, rappelling, and parachuting, many Veterans experience trouble with their feet and ankles. We can help treat those problems so you can continue to enjoy an active lifestyle. Our podiatry services include:

• Arthritis care for inflamed, swollen, or damaged joints
• Foot and ankle fracture treatment; repair of cartilage, torn tendons and ligaments
• Injections to reduce pain and swelling
• Joint arthroplasty (surgical repair or reconstruction) and replacement
• Minimally invasive surgery and post-surgical rehabilitation
• Foot and ankle health preventive care

The Polytrauma System of Care - PSC and Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center (CRC) - provides inpatient, transitional, and outpatient rehabilitation tailored to individual patterns of impairment sustained in trauma and/or resulting from medical conditions or surgery.

Our programs include:

• Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC)
• Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center (CRC)
• Stroke Specialty Program (SSP)
• Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program (PTRP)
• Intensive Evaluation & Treatment Program (IETP)
• Polytrauma Network Site (PNS)
• Headache Center of Excellence (HCoE)
• Assistive Technology (AT) Center
• Post-911 Military2VA (M2VA) Case Management Program

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.

VA is the world’s largest and most comprehensive provider of sensory aides and prosthetic devices. Veterans enrolled in the VA health care system and referred by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician can receive a full range of services and equipment like:

• Artificial limbs and surgical implants, including artificial joints and pacemakers
• Wheelchairs and other medical devices
• Aids for Veterans who are blind, have low vision, or are hearing impaired
• Adaptive equipment and modifications to make your vehicle or home more accessible
• Other devices and services to help increase your mobility, dignity, and independence
• Clothing allowance for Veterans with devices that damage their clothing

Our pulmonary medicine team treats diseases and conditions that affect the lungs and breathing, including asthma, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome and sleep apnea.

If you find it difficult to breathe, our pulmonary (lung) specialists can help. Referrals can be discussed with your primary care provider.

We offer diagnostic testing, education, exercises, and treatments like:

• Breathing and walking tests to measure your lung function, lung volume, airway inflammation, exercise capacity, and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
• Remote monitoring of lung function
• Chest imaging, including X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans
• Bronchoscopy to diagnose various lung conditions including ultrasound to biopsy lymph nodes
• Drainage of fluid around the lungs
• Overnight home oxygen level evaluation
• Oxygen therapy for low oxygen levels
• Non-invasive ventilation to support breathing
• Pulmonary rehabilitation and recreational therapy to build your strength and increase lung capacity

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

• X-ray (available at Palo Alto, Livermore, Marina, San Jose)
• Ultrasound (available at Palo Alto, Marina)
• Mammography (available at Palo Alto, Marina)
• Computer tomography CT (available at Palo Alto)
• Positron emission tomography PET (available at Palo Alto)
• Magnetic resonance imaging MRI (available at Palo Alto)

We provide long-term care to help you and your family when you’re dealing with a disability, chronic (long-lasting) illness, terminal illness, or serious health issues related to aging. Our long-term health care services include:

• 24/7 nursing and medical care
• Physical therapy
• Help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, making meals, and taking medicine
• Pain management and palliative care to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses
• Hospice care to provide comfort and compassionate care for people in the last phases of an incurable illness

Learn more about VA long-term care

The sleep medicine service diagnoses and treats your sleep problems, including trouble sleeping, breathing difficulties while sleeping, snoring, teeth grinding and jaw clenching.

At various points in our lives, all of us suffer from a lack of sleep. But if you are spending enough time in bed and still wake up tired or feel very sleepy during the day, you may have a sleep disorder. Our sleep specialists can help. Referrals can be discussed with your primary care provider.

We offer diagnostic testing, education, and treatments like:

• Group education classes at multiple locations that provide insight into common sleep disorders as well as classes focusing on sleep apnea
• Home sleep testing to diagnose sleep apnea by tracking your breathing, oxygen levels, and breathing effort
• Treatment of sleep apnea with positive airway pressure therapy (such as CPAP) along with necessary supplies, including masks and tubing
• Specialized respiratory therapist clinics (CPAP clinics) to maximize the effectiveness and comfort of CPAP, available either in person, over the phone, or by video visits
• Remote monitoring of CPAP data and remote adjustments to settings
• Individual clinics with nurse practitioners (NPs) and sleep physicians
• Coordination with other doctors if you need surgery, dental appliances, or additional specialty care to help you get a good night’s sleep

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:

• Our TeleQuit Program (650-493-5000, ext. 60557, or direct line 650-849-0557) to quit smoking or stop using nicotine products including cigarettes, vape, and smokeless tobacco. Patients may self-refer.
• FDA-approved medications to manage nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke
• Counseling in person or by phone
• Tobacco cessation quitline for individual counseling and strategies
• SmokefreeVET text message program for daily advice and interactive support
• Stay Quit Coach mobile app to help you quit smoking and stay smoke-free

Learn more about how to quit

If you have a spinal cord injury or disorder, our specialists provide coordinated care throughout your life. We work to help you achieve your goals for independence, productivity and quality of life.

VA has the nation’s largest system of care for spinal cord injuries and disorders. We provide a convenient, connected network of experts to care for you during each phase of your life. Our experienced primary care providers are trained to check for problems unique to spinal cord injuries.

• Comprehensive rehabilitation care
• Annual wellness checks
• Medical and surgical care for spinal cord injury complications
• Wound management
• Bowel, bladder, and sexuality management
• Evaluation of medication, supplies, and equipment needs

Learn more about the VA spinal cord injuries and disorders care system

If you are having surgery, we make sure that your procedure and follow-up care are safe and high-quality.

We provide a wide range of surgical services, like:

• General surgery
• Anesthesia
• Cardiac surgery (heart and major blood vessels)
• Neurosurgery (brain, spinal column, and nerves)
• Orthopedic surgery (bones, muscles, ligaments, joints, and tendons)
• Organ and tissue transplants

We evaluate, diagnose, and treat a wide range of urology diseases and conditions that include kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, prostate cancer, and more. We provide you with medical care, surgery, and minimally invasive procedures for health issues that affect:

• Kidneys
• Bladder
• Ureter and urethra
• Male reproductive organs

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

Our vascular surgeons treat illnesses of your arteries and veins. Our surgeons can treat these problems with medication and exercise. Vascular illness causes include:

• Arteriosclerosis and/or atherosclerosis (caused by the buildup of plaque in your arteries that restricts blood flow to your organs and tissues)
• Aortic aneurysm and aortic valve disease
• Deep vein thrombosis and blockage by a blood clot or fatty deposit
• Varicose veins
• Vasculitis (inflammation of your blood vessels)
• Varicose veins
• Trauma or injury

We provide thoughtful, compassionate diagnosis and treatment for Veterans with acute or chronic wounds or those who need ostomy care.

Healing your wounds is an important step in your recovery and rehabilitation. Our wound care team will assess your wound, determine where you are in the healing process, and provide a treatment plan for your care. If you’ve had ostomy surgery and are living with either a temporary or permanent stoma (a surgical opening to allow urine, feces, or body fluids to exit your body), we can help you manage the care of your stoma, make good product choices, and cope with the effects of ostomy surgery. We provide care and support for:

• Open, non-healing, and hard-to-heal wounds
• Localized incisions and infected or draining wounds
• Pressure injuries (also known as bedsores, pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers)
• Amputations
• Wounds or leaking seals around your stoma
• Skin rashes
• Ostomy skin complications
• Ostomy marking
• Ongoing ostomy management

VA’s Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events provides Veterans with opportunities for health and healing through adaptive sports and therapeutic art programs. These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life.

The programs are built on clinical expertise within VA, with essential support from Veteran Service Organizations, corporate sponsors, individual donors and community partners.

The VA Palo Alto adaptive sports branch aims to connect local Veterans with these resources and additional care, including a monthly on-site integrative clinic addressing individual medical needs and treatment.

The VA Palo Alto Adaptive Sports Medicine Program consists of a team of PM&R and sports medicine physicians, chiropractors, recreation therapists, and physical therapists specialized in treating the adaptive athlete.

We treat injuries, pain and functional issues and also provide athletic training and/or sports performance for Veteran athletes involved in adaptive sports.

If you are interested in joining one of our classes, please call Huy Diep at 650-493-5000 ext. 67538.

Please visit our Facebook page to learn more about the program.

If you’re a caregiver for a Veteran, you can get support by contacting one of our caregiver support coordinators. Caregivers of qualifying Veterans may be eligible for additional benefits like training, medical coverage, and a monthly stipend.

For all caregivers, we can:

• Help you get caregiver assistance available through VA
• Match you with services and benefits
• Connect you with local resources and programs

Learn more and connect with a support coordinator

We help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail. Contact us to get help with:

• Immediate food and shelter, including both transitional and permanent housing
• Residential rehabilitation
• Job training, life skills development, and education
• Support with justice system navigation and community re-entry from jail
• Financial support to prevent homelessness
• Treatment for addiction and depression
• Health and dental care

Learn more

We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) or a related identity. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:

• Hormone therapy
• Substance use and alcohol treatment
• Testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• Mental health care
• Psychosocial assessments for gender-confirming surgeries and hormone therapy
• Voice gender affirming therapy

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

If you’re a minority Veteran, we can help you get the services and benefits you need. Our Minority Veterans Program is here to support all Veterans who identify as Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American or Native American (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Island Americans). We work to:

• Help the medical center address minority Veterans’ needs
• Meet minority Veterans’ needs in the local community
• Remove obstacles and create a more accessible environment for minority Veterans
• Inform minority Veterans of VA benefits, services, and programs

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

Our patient advocates strive to give you the best care possible at our health care facilities. They can:

• Help you get answers or address concerns with your care team
• Advocate for patient and family rights
• Serve as advocates for minority Veterans, women Veterans, and Veterans with disabilities
• Provide specialized assistance to former prisoners of war and Veterans who have returned from serving in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND).

Learn more and connect with a patient advocate

We offer a wide range of activities (arts and crafts, games, sports, exercise) that we can adapt to your needs.

Recreation and creative arts therapists provide non-traditional and innovative techniques that assist Veterans in reaching their treatment goals and obtaining improved health and quality of life. Our services include:

• Assess leisure functioning
• Develop programs based on assessed needs
• Implement and evaluate programs
• Discharge planning
• Community reintegration outings
• Public transportation education and utilization
• Community resource development
• Adaptive sports participation
• Evaluation of adaptive equipment
• Leisure education with Veterans and their families
• Water and land-based fitness and wellness programs
• Use of therapy dogs
• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Massage therapy
• Stress management
• Relapse prevention
• Coping techniques

For any questions regarding our pools and fitness facilities at VA Palo Alto and Menlo Park, please call 650-493-5000, Palo Alto ext. 65531, or Menlo Park ext. 22841.

If you’re returning from military service, we can help you readjust to civilian life and get started with VA health care. We can also help connect you with programs like mental health services and education and career counseling.

We can help you readjust to civilian life if you’re returning from military service, on active duty, or an activated National Guard or Reserve member. Talk to one of our care coordinators about how to best use your health care benefits.

• Polytrauma care (if you have multiple traumatic injuries)
• Counseling and rehabilitation
• Mental and behavioral health services
• Family benefits counseling and assistance
• Referral assistance

Learn more and connect with a coordinator

Social work is an important part of health care and overall well-being. We can help you and your family manage stress-related problems due to injury or illness, and find VA community resources to meet your needs like:

• Relationship problems
• Managing the loss of a loved one
• Navigating benefits and VA
• Understanding available services
• Living safely at home
• How to support a loved one
• Housing, financial, transportation, and legal services
• Community living

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
• Retinal care (eye)
• Bariatric surgery (visit remotely with your weight-loss surgery team before and after your operation)
• Dermatology
• Rehabilitation
• Primary care
• Specialty care

Speak with your clinical provider and ask if telehealth is right for your needs.

Learn more about telehealth

Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program

Whole health centers around what matters to you, not what is the matter with you. This means working with you to develop a personalized health plan based on your values, needs, and goals. A plan that you and your health care team will use to guide and plan your care throughout your VA experience. Whole health integrates not only traditional clinical care, but helps to activate you on self-care skills and tools to keep you healthy and doing the things that work for you. In addition, whole health is helping to make more complementary and integrative health offerings available.

Call 650-849-0131 to speak with a Whole Health Coach today!

Well-being:

• Tai chi / Qi gong
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Guided imagery

Treatment

• Chiropractor and acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Clinical hypnosis
• Massage therapy

View our whole health offerings

Learn more about VA whole health