A soldier's silhouette merges into a healthcare facility, symbolizing the transition to veteran care.

From Battlefield to Home: How the Army is Improving Veteran Healthcare Transitions

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the critical factors influencing healthcare access for veterans and how new strategies are bridging the gap between active duty and civilian life."

For over two million service members who have bravely served in Afghanistan and Iraq during Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the journey home is just the beginning of a new chapter filled with unique challenges. These modern-era veterans, set apart by longer deployments, frequent repeat tours, and minimal downtime between assignments, face a distinct set of hurdles upon returning to civilian life.

One of the most significant of these challenges is ensuring seamless access to healthcare. With high survival rates from serious injuries and a growing awareness of the 'invisible wounds of conflict'—such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, depression, and traumatic brain injuries—the long-term healthcare needs of these veterans are substantial. Anticipating the needs and connecting veterans with the right resources is paramount.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) plays a vital role in this transition, offering a wide range of services to support veterans' health and well-being. As access to VHA services becomes a focal point of public policy, understanding how veterans enroll in and utilize these services is crucial. However, there is limited research into the characteristics and motivations of veterans who seek care at VHA.

Bridging the Gap: Understanding VHA Linkage

A soldier's silhouette merges into a healthcare facility, symbolizing the transition to veteran care.

A recent study published in Military Medicine sheds light on this critical issue, examining the rate and predictors of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) service utilization among active-duty Army members following deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. The study focused on enrollment and service use—referred to as 'linkage'—and also investigated variations in linkage rates across different VHA facilities.

The research, which analyzed data from 151,122 active-duty members who had deployed and separated from the Army between fiscal years 2008 and 2012, revealed that approximately 48% utilized VHA services as enrollees within one year of separation. However, the study also uncovered significant variations in linkage rates, ranging from 31% to 72% across different VHA facilities.

Key findings from the study highlight several factors influencing VHA linkage:

Serious Injury: Members with a probable serious injury during their index deployment had significantly higher odds of VHA linkage (odds ratio = 1.81).
Disability Separation: Separation from the Army due to disability was strongly associated with VHA enrollment (odds ratio = 2.86).
Prior VHA Use: Receipt of VHA care before and after separation was a strong predictor of utilizing VHA services as an enrollee.

The study also identified factors associated with lower VHA linkage, including higher military rank. Senior officers, junior officers, and warrant officers were less likely to utilize VHA services compared to junior enlisted members. This may be due to greater access to alternative health care options through employer-sponsored insurance.

Improving the Transition: A Call to Action

These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve VHA linkage among Army veterans. By understanding the factors that influence healthcare access, the VHA and the Department of Defense (DoD) can tailor outreach efforts and resources to better serve the needs of separating service members. This includes focusing on veterans with disabilities, those who have not previously utilized VHA services, and those from specific demographic groups. By improving communication and collaboration between the DoD and VHA, and by making veterans aware of available resources, we can ensure a smoother and more supportive transition from military to civilian life.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.7205/milmed-d-14-00682, Alternate LINK

Title: Army Active Duty Members' Linkage To Veterans Health Administration Services After Deployments To Iraq Or Afghanistan And Following Separation

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Military Medicine

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Megan E. Vanneman, Alex H. S. Harris, Cheng Chen, Beth A. Mohr, Rachel Sayko Adams, Thomas V. Williams, Mary Jo Larson

Published: 2015-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What did the Military Medicine study reveal about VHA service utilization among active-duty Army members post-deployment?

The study published in *Military Medicine* analyzed data from over 150,000 active-duty Army members who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and separated from service between 2008 and 2012. It found that approximately 48% utilized Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services within one year of separation. However, linkage rates varied significantly across different VHA facilities, ranging from 31% to 72%. This highlights the need to understand and address the factors contributing to these variations to ensure more consistent access to care for all veterans.

According to the study, what are the key factors that influence whether Army veterans utilize Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services after separating from service?

Factors significantly influencing Veterans Health Administration (VHA) linkage include serious injury during deployment (odds ratio = 1.81) and separation from the Army due to disability (odds ratio = 2.86). Prior utilization of VHA services is also a strong predictor of future use. Conversely, higher military rank is associated with lower VHA linkage, potentially due to greater access to alternative healthcare options through employer-sponsored insurance. Understanding these factors allows for targeted interventions to improve healthcare access for veterans.

Why were senior officers, junior officers, and warrant officers less likely to utilize Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services compared to junior enlisted members, and what are the implications of this finding?

Lower Veterans Health Administration (VHA) linkage among senior officers, junior officers, and warrant officers may be attributed to their greater access to alternative healthcare options, such as employer-sponsored insurance. This suggests that targeted outreach and education efforts are needed to ensure that all veterans, regardless of rank or access to other insurance, are aware of and can access the services offered by the VHA. Further research could explore the specific barriers faced by officers in utilizing VHA services.

Based on the research, what specific steps can the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) take to improve healthcare transitions for Army veterans?

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) can improve the transition for Army veterans by tailoring outreach efforts and resources based on factors influencing healthcare access. This includes focusing on veterans with disabilities, those who have not previously utilized VHA services, and specific demographic groups. Improved communication and collaboration between the DoD and VHA, along with increased awareness of available resources, are crucial for ensuring a smoother and more supportive transition from military to civilian life, ultimately improving veteran healthcare outcomes.

What specific challenges do veterans who served in Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) face regarding healthcare, and why are these challenges unique?

Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans often face unique healthcare challenges due to longer deployments, frequent repeat tours, and minimal downtime between assignments. These challenges are compounded by the 'invisible wounds of conflict,' such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, depression, and traumatic brain injuries. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes early identification of needs, targeted interventions, and seamless access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services to support their long-term health and well-being.