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NewsFlash | Brochures

Brochures

Unseen Injuries brochure for PTSD, TBIUnseen Injuries: Medical Information for Combat Veterans (Veterans of the Persian Gulf War and Global War on Terror) — Published in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this brochure for was developed under the direction of Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA). Multisymptom conditions exist for veterans with military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. Veterans of the Global War on Terror (GWOT) may suffer from similar illnesses. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) results from a veteran having experienced the trauma of combat or other life-threatening events. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when the head is struck with enough force to damage brain cells. An array of symptoms exist for each unseen injury. For VA benefit purposes, Persian Gulf War service is active military duty in any of the following areas in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations at any time August 2, 1990 to present.

  • Iraq
  • Kuwait
  • Saudi Arabia
  • The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
  • Oman
  • Gulf of Aden
  • Gulf of Oman
  • Waters of the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea
  • The airspace above these locations

Persian Gulf War operational names included Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Sabre, and Operation Southern Watch. In addition, various phases of each operation may have a unique operational name. UPDATE: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans. If you or your loved one either served in the Persian Gulf War, or recently returned GWOT, this information may be important to you. Persian Gulf War Veterans may still seek to establish service connection individually for other, "non-presumptive" diseases and illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. Need help? Appoint a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent to assist you. In most cases, it is not necessary for Veterans to get assistance from an attorney. However, many Veterans choose to get free assistance from organizations such as Disabled American Veterans (DAV)Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). These organizations will typically ask you to sign a limited power of attorney, which will allow them to speak with the VA on your behalf. They can help you determine status, ask VA to reconsider the severity of your rated ailments, and help you with other support actions.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay maneuvers through Elliot Bay to the Port of Seattle to participate in the 61st annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. Seafair activities allow U.S. and Canadian sailors to experience the local community and to promote awareness of the maritime forces.Mission Ready: Preparing to Fight the Good Fight — Written by Navy Chaplain John Owen, this guide helps us understand that some things are worth fighting for even at the risk of our own comfort.

National VA Chaplain Service — VA Chaplain Service is a vital part of the VA Medical Center, dedicated to providing the highest quality pastoral care to the veteran. Chaplains are on call 24/7. The mission of Chaplain Service is to provide spiritual/religious care to all Veterans and their family members.

Honor — This popular booklet is filled with uplifting messages by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale that will encourage readers to bring out the best in themselves and others. A strong faith in God will help them lead fulfilling lives built on honor and integrity.

Current Research at VISN 20 MIRECC — Whether you are currently on active-duty, a Veteran, or someone who has never worn the uniform, you can participate in NW MIRECC research in Seattle, Washington. Research studies are currently enrolling Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians. Veterans who have experienced a variety of service-related conditions, including Post Traumatic Stress Dsorder (PTSD), Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), posttraumatic headaches, neurodegeneration and dementia, and Gulf War illness.

Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment — PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. Find out about PTSD and PTSD treatment from Veterans who’ve been there.

Soldiers CrossReal Warriors Outreach Center — The Real Warriors Campaign promotes a culture of support for psychological health by encouraging the military community to reach out for help whether coping with the daily stresses of military life, or concerns like depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Defense Department’s Psychological Health Center of Excellence has a mission to break the stigma associated with psychological health concerns and encourage those who are coping with a psychological health concern to seek help. The campaign links service members, veterans and their families with care and provides free, confidential resources including online articles, print materials, videos and podcasts. If you or someone you know is coping with any concerns, know that reaching out is a sign of strength.

VHA Community Care Fact Sheet — Veterans may be eligible for care through a provider in their local community depending on their health care needs or circumstances, and if they meet specific eligibility criteria. During a medical emergency, you should immediately seek care at the nearest emergency department (ED). A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be reasonably expected to be hazardous to life or health. If you believe your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away. For immediate help in dealing with a suicidal crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1.

What to do When... How to Handle Life's Difficulties — Loneliness is one of the most painful human emotions. In this all-new guide, you’ll find 9 common causes of loneliness and what to do to overcome each one. Most important you’ll see how to rely on the One who ensures we are never alone.

Traumatic Brain Injury: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans — TBI subject matter experts from TBICoE, National Intrepid Spirit Center of Excellence, Psychological Health Center of Excellence, and the Department of Veterans Affairs worked together to revise and update the guide. Caregivers of service members and veterans with TBI can download the interactive PDF to use on their smart phones, tablets, and personal computers. Findings from the ongoing Longitudinal Study on Traumatic Brain Injury Incurred by Members of the Armed Forces in OEF/OIF were incorporated into this revision as well.

InTransition Psychological Health Support — A free, confidential program called inTransition offers specialized telephone coaching and assistance for active duty service members, National Guard, reservists, veterans, and retirees who need access to a new mental health provider or wish to initiate mental health care for the first time when: Relocating to another assignment, Returning from deployment, Transitioning between an active duty and a reserve status, and Preparing to leave military service. The inTransition services are available to all military members regardless of length of service or discharge status, by calling 800-424-7877.

United States Navy Fleet Week Seattle Washington Seattle SeafairPsychological Health Resource Center — A trusted source of psychological health information and resources related to combat stress, depression, reintegration, how to get into treatment, types of treatment for mental health conditions, and many other topics. Available 24/7 by phone, online chat, or email to service members, veterans, family members, clinicians, commanders, or anyone with a question about psychological health in the military.

Ready-To-Use VA Mental Health Materials — Share our readymade materials to educate Veterans about the mental health resources and support available from VA. These materials are designed to build awareness of the mental health challenges that Veterans may face — and the many treatment options available. Download materials for seasonal observances, social media posts for various mental health topics, and general information to share on your website and at outreach events.

State Department of Veterans Affairs in VISN 20 provide both online and print brochures:

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Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

VA Web Disclaimers
Disclaimer of Endorsement: Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Disclaimer of Hyperlinks: The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Veterans Affairs of the linked websites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized VA activities, the Department does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. All links are provided with the intent of meeting the mission of the Department and the VA website. Please let us know about existing external links which you believe are inappropriate and about specific additional external links which you believe ought to be included.
Disclaimer of Liability: With respect to documents available from this server, neither the United States Government nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.
Reference from this web page or from any of the information services sponsored by the VA to any non-governmental entity, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the VA or any of its employees. We are not responsible for the content of any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server.
Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.


Hospital Service Directory

To find out whether there is a van near you use the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Hospital Service Coordinator Directory to contact your nearest HSC for information or assistance. Please remember that the DAV Transportation Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is unable to cover every community.

NW MIRECCSpanning 23% of the US land mass, VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20) is the largest geographic region of VA. In the Pacific Northwest, VISN 20 serves Veterans in 135 counties in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Operating across three time zones over 817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. VISN 20 also serves Veterans in Del Norte and Siskiyou counties of California and Lincoln County Montana. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) provides health care for Veterans from providers in the local community. VCCP includes General Community Care, Urgent Care, Emergency Care, Foreign Medical Care, Home Health and Hospice Care, Indian and Tribal Health Services, In Vitro Fertilization, State Veterans Home, and Flu Shots.

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Vet Centers in VISN 20

VA Vet Center LogoVet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. 1-877-WAR-VETS is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center.

Vet Centers provide counseling to make a successful transition from military to civilian life or after a traumatic event experienced in the military. Individual, group, marriage and family counseling is offered in addition to referral and connection to other VA or community benefits and services. If you can’t make it to a nearby Vet Center, VA offers satellite Vet Center locations and Mobile Vet Centers that may be closer to you.

Alaska

Anchorage Vet Center (Anchorage, AK)

Anchorage Satellite Vet Centers in Anchor Point and Homer

Fairbanks Vet Center (Fairbanks, AK)

Fairbanks Satellite Vet Centers in Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright

Kenai Vet Center Outstation (Soldotna, AK)

Wasilla Vet Center (Wasilla, AK)

Oregon

Central Oregon Vet Center (Bend, OR)

Eugene Vet Center (Eugene, OR)

Eugene Satellite Vet Centers in Florence and Reedsport 

Grants Pass Vet Center (Grants Pass, OR)

Grants Pass Satellite Vet Center in Cave Junction and Grants Pass Mobile Vet Center

Portland, OR Vet Center (Portland, OR)

Portland Satellite Vet Centers in Oregon City, St. Helens, and Vancouver, Washington

Salem Vet Center (Salem, OR)

Salem Mobile Vet Center

Idaho

Boise Vet Center (Boise, ID)

Boise Satellite Vet Center in Ontario, Oregon and Boise Mobile Vet Center

Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Couer d'Alene, Kootenai, Post Falls, Fairchild AFB, and Newport, Washington

Washington

Bellingham Vet Center (Bellingham, WA)

Everett Vet Center (Everett, WA)

Federal Way Vet Center (Federal Way, WA)

Lacey Vet Center Outstation (Lacey, WA)

Seattle Vet Center (Seattle, WA)

Spokane Vet Center (Spokane, WA)

Spokane Satellite Vet Centers in Fairchild AFB, Newport, Post Falls and Couer d'Alene, Idaho

Spokane Mobile Vet Center

Tacoma Vet Center (Tacoma, WA)

Tacoma Mobile Vet Center

Vancouver Vet Center - Washington State University, Clark County (Vancouver, WA)

Walla Walla Vet Center (Walla Walla, WA)

Yakima Valley Vet Center (Yakima, WA)

Yakima Satellite Vet Center in Ellensburg

Veterans Crisis "988" - The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for all Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans. You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. For immediate help in dealing with a suicidal crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.

The Military Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for all Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, and Veterans. You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. For immediate help in dealing with a suicidal crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.

Europe:
Call +1 844-702-5495 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

Southwest Asia:
Call +1 855-422-7719 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

Pacific:
Call +1 844-702-5493 (off base) or DSN 988 (on base)

A Veteran overseas may contact the Veterans Crisis Line via the chat modality at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. If the Veteran prefers a phone call, they can request this within the chat venue. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Are you looking for clinical care or counseling? Assistance with benefits? No matter what you’re experiencing, we’re here to connect you with resources and support systems to help. The Veterans Crisis Line is free and confidential. When you call, chat, or text, a qualified responder will listen and help. You decide how much information to share. Support doesn't end with your conversation. Our responders can connect you with the resources you need.

Plan your trip to VA

In 1946, Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) was established by law to provide comfort and well-being to America’s Veterans. With our many retail stores, cafés and coffee shops across the country, we serve those who have served our country. Our Canteens are whole health spaces for Veterans to connect, relax, share and care for themselves in an environment that is their benefit. We are proud to Serve America’s Veterans and those who provide for their care.

VCS operates over 200 Patriot Stores in Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Centers nationwide. Many of our stores have been recently updated and expanded to provide our customers with a modern, clean and comfortable shopping experience. Our stores welcome our customers with wider aisles, wood-like floors, enhanced lighting and directional signage. PatriotStores have expanded hours of operation to provide service for customers on weekends at most locations.

The Patriot Cafe is the best place in the VA Medical Center to enjoy delicious, freshly prepared breakfast or lunch served hot or cold each weekday. Providing Veterans, their families, VA employees, volunteers and visitors a place to relax and enjoy a meal or take-out for their convenience. With a wide variety of food from traditional comfort food, specialized menu selections and a large assortment of healthy choices; there is something for everyone's taste buds.

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