VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program

Frequently Asked Questions about LGBTQ+ Veteran Care

Q. Does my sexual orientation and gender identity matter to my health care?

Yes, as a result of bias, stress, and discrimination, LGBTQ+ Veterans face increased health risks and unique challenges in health care. We want you to be comfortable talking with your VA providers about all aspects of your life, so we can offer you the best care possible.

Understand more about your health, health risks, and important health screenings.  VA providers are talking to Veterans about their sexual orientation and gender identity.  Learn more with our health information brochures for LGBTQ+ Veterans, their families, and caregivers. The Veterans Health Library also has LGBTQ+ Health information.

• Transgender Men & Transmasculine Veterans Health Care(PDF) 
• Transgender Women & Transfeminine Veterans Health Care(PDF)
• Veteran Health Care For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Queer Women(PDF)
• Veteran Health Care For Gay, Bisexual, & Queer Men(PDF)
• Nonbinary Veteran Health Care(PDF)

Q. What VA health care services can I get?

VA health care includes, among other services:

• Gender-Affirming Care (PDF)
• Substance use/alcohol treatment
• Tobacco use treatment
• Treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV.
• Intimate partner violence reduction and treatment of after effects
• Military Sexual Trauma screening and treatment of after effects
• Suicide prevention services. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
• Whole Health
• Cancer screening, prevention and treatment
• Virtual Health Care: Veterans can connect with a VA providers through a computer or mobile device from the comfort of their homes or at their nearest VA health facility.
• Infertility

Q. Are there any providers specializing in care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Veterans in my area?

All VA facilities are required to provide care to eligible LGBTQ+ Veterans or pay for services in the community. You can find your local LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator (VCC) at your facility. They will help you find the care you need.

* If you are not already enrolled in healthcare, enrolling is the first step.

Veterans can apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10-10EZ.  Apply online, or visit, call or write to any VA health care facility or Veterans' benefits office. You can also call the VA Health Benefits Call Center toll free at 877-222 VETS (877-222-8387). Get the latest on VA health care eligibility and enrollment. You can also use the Vets.gov site to obtain additional information.

Q. How do I get gender-affirming care at the VA?

The first step is to talk to your primary care provider.  Your primary care provider can submit any consults you need to get gender-affirming care.  Learn more care for transgender and gender diverse Veteran(PDF)

Q. What are the Gender Identity and Birth Sex Fields?

VA understands that Veterans with transgender and gender diverse identities face increased health risks and unique challenges in health care, and is committed to promoting a welcoming environment that is inclusive of all Veterans. Previously, your medical record had only one place for your sex and gender. Now, you can have both your Birth Sex and your Gender Identity in your medical record.

For more information, see the Veteran - Birth Sex and Self-Identified Gender Identity (PDF) or the Provider - Fact Sheet on Birth Sex and Self-Identified Gender Identity (PDF).

Q. How do I change my legal name, the name I want to be called (preferred name), and/or my gender identity in VA records?

A Legal Name is the name on a person’s insurance or identification documents (e.g., birth certificate, driver’s license, and passport). For more details see: How To Change Your Legal Name On File With VA | Veterans Affairs

Veterans may have a preferred or chosen name that differs from legal name listed on government-issued official identification or insurance documents. For example, a nickname. No documentation, form, or paperwork is required to have preferred name added to the electronic medical record. It is VHA policy that Veterans must be addressed and referred to by the Veteran’s chosen name, even when you are not present. To have a preferred name added, Veterans can contact registration and enrollment. Or you can view, enter, and edit your preferred name at VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs without contacting VA. 

To change your gender identity, you can contact registration and enrollment. Or you can view, enter, and edit your gender identity at VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs without contacting VA. For preferred name and gender identity, go to VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs, click “Sign In” in the upper righthand corner. Open your profile and click on “Personal Information.”  For detailed information and guide for using VA.gov, please see:  How to add or change your preferred name and gender identity on VA.gov (PDF)

Once entered in VA.gov, this information will become part of your electronic health record. Your health care providers will see this information. Sharing this information helps VA staff and providers know your identity and use respectful terms when delivering personalized care.

Q. Why are VA providers asking about my sexual orientation and sexual health?

VA providers are asking you about your sexual orientation and sexual health to provide you with the care that meets your needs.  Asking everyone about their sexual orientation is important because:

• Your provider can use respectful terms that you feel comfortable with when talking about your relationships.
• Knowing your sexual orientation will help providers better understand your social and health needs and make good recommendations.
• Having a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer sexual orientation in your record will cue a provider to assess for ongoing stress and unique health concerns.
• Sexual orientation identity, attractions, and behavior are part of a sexual health assessment which may identify concerns that need to be addressed.
• VA wants to understand how many Veterans are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer and use this information to ensure that LGBQ+ Veterans receive the best care possible.
• Sexual health is more than avoiding disease. Being sexually healthy means having a healthier body, a satisfying sexual life, positive sexual relationships, and emotional well-being.

For more information, see the Sexual Orientation and Sexual Health Veteran Fact Sheet (PDF).

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