The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a new directive regarding access to care for veterans with service-related disabilities. Under the directive, if a veteran who needs medical care for a service-related disability requests care from a VA facility, the facility must schedule a primary care evaluation within thirty days of the request. If an appointment cannot be scheduled within thirty days, the facility must make other care arrangements for the veteran.

The directive applies to both outpatient and hospital care, and applies regardless of the extent of the veteran's disability (a previous rule required priority access only for severely-disabled veterans). A copy of the press release regarding the new directive is available at www1.va.gov/OPA/pressrel/PressArtInternet.cfm?id=715. Other information concerning veterans' benefits is available on the web site of the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/.