Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the WRIISC Program different from other VA Programs?
The WRIISC Program is different from other VA health care programs in that our primary mission is to address the unique post-deployment health concerns of combat Veterans. The specialists at WRIISC are dedicated to this mission and are able to apply their many years of experience evaluating Veterans with deployment health concerns.
- How do I know if I am eligible to be seen at WRIISC?
The WRIISC sees deployed Veterans with chronic, medically unexplained symptoms that last more than 6 months requiring second opinion consultations. All relevant workups (including non-VA evaluations) must be available in VA record for review. Veterans seen at the WRIISC must be medically and psychiatrically stable with no recent substance use disorder in the last 6 months.
- How do I obtain a referral if I am interested in the WRIISC Program?
Your VA Primary Care Provider (PCP) and Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) may make a referral for you. Your VA Registry environmental health provider or post-deployment health champion may also work with your VA PCP to submit a WRIISC referral. Visit our referral page for more information on this process.
- What is needed to submit a WRIISC consult?
Please see the detailed information about our WRIISC Referral Process as it provides answers to many questions about what is needed to submit a WRIISC referral.
- How are the WRIISC Staff qualified to see Veterans with complex illnesses and/or injuries?
Many of our WRIISC clinicians have many years of experience evaluating Veterans with complicated post-deployment health concerns. Additionally, many of the WRIISC clinicians are also researchers, which provides them with a special opportunity to combine their research skills with their clinical knowledge.
- How do I get a copy of my WRIISC Evaluation?
Veterans who participate in our WRIISC clinical programs may review their results through the VA's secure electronic portal, MyHealtheVet. A copy of these results also will be sent to the referring provider(s) once all of the clinical and diagnostic reports are finalized. Veterans may request a copy of their WRIISC evaluation records by contacting the Medical Records Department at their respective Medical Centers.
- What type of research is done at the WRIISC?
Part of the mission of the WRIISC is to provide cutting edge research on post-deployment health issues and research that looks at medically unexplained symptoms. To learn more about our research program, visit our research web page. If you would like to volunteer for one of our research studies, please visit our Volunteer for Research page.
- Where can I go to find out more information about military environmental exposures?
Several helpful resources to learn more about military environmental exposures and potential health effects include:
Public Health Home
VA A to Z Exposure Index Troops
VA Exposure Ed App
Military Environmental Exposures Certifications
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - I am interested in the VA registry program. How do I find out more information?
VA has established several health registries to track and monitor the health of specific groups of Veterans. The registry data helps VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively. If you are interested in the VA Health Registry Program, please contact the Environmental Health Coordinator at your local VA.
- Is a WRIISC evaluation the same thing as a Registry Examination or a Compensation and Pension Examination?
No. The purpose of the WRIISC evaluation is to provide Veterans with a clinical evaluation and patient education regarding their post-deployment health concerns. While the WRIISC team can provide Veterans with the contact information needed to schedule a registry examination and/or a compensation and pension examination, the WRIISC clinical team does not perform these examinations. More information on registry examinations may be found here. More information on applying for VA compensation and pension benefits may be found at the Veterans Benefit Administration or by calling 1-800-827-1000.
