The short answer
Because many Veterans and military family members won't bring it up on their own. Asking every new client "Have you or someone close to you ever served in the military?" gives you clinical context and can open doors to VA care, CHAMPVA, Vet Centers, and crisis resources the client didn't know about.
Why ask every client?
Because service history changes the picture, and clients rarely volunteer it. Many Veterans don't think of themselves as Veterans, especially if they didn't deploy, served in the Guard or Reserve, or left with a hard discharge. Family members almost never mention a parent's or spouse's service unless asked.
VA encourages providers to ask a broader version of the question: "Have you or someone close to you ever served in the military?" It catches spouses, children, and caregivers too. See VA's guidance for community providers.
What can the answer open up?
- Clinical context. Training, deployments, losses, military sexual trauma, injuries, and transition stress may all be relevant.
- Coverage the client doesn't know about. A spouse or child of a permanently and totally disabled Veteran may qualify for CHAMPVA. A Veteran may qualify for VA health care or VA Community Care.
- Free VA services. VA offers free care for conditions related to military sexual trauma, even for many former service members who aren't eligible for other VA care. Vet Centers offer readjustment counseling, family counseling, and bereavement services.
- Crisis resources. The Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, then press 1) is staffed for Veterans, service members, and their families.
How do you ask it well?
Add it to your intake form and ask it out loud. A simple flow:
- Ask: "Have you or someone close to you ever served in the military?"
- If yes, ask who and when: branch, years, Guard or Reserve, and whether they deployed.
- Ask what it meant to them: "How has your service affected you?" or "How did your dad's service affect your family?"
- Ask about benefits: "Are you connected with VA for health care or benefits?"
Keep it matter-of-fact. Some clients will say a lot. Some will say one word. Either is fine for now.
What should you avoid?
- Asking "Did you kill anyone?" or other questions driven by curiosity rather than care.
- Assuming every Veteran has PTSD or saw combat.
- Treating a discharge status as a judgment of the person.
How ValorWell handles this
ValorWell's clients are already identified as Veterans, spouses, or children of Veterans, and its intake team sorts out which program covers them. That takes the coverage detective work off you. The clinical part of the question still matters, and how you explore it is your call.
If you meet military-connected clients in your own practice who need a CHAMPVA or VA Community Care provider, those are the programs ValorWell works in. You can keep your private practice and contract with ValorWell at the same time.
Important limits
- The question is a start, not an assessment. Follow up with standard screening for trauma, suicide risk, and substance use as you would for any client.
- You can't confirm eligibility for VA programs. Point clients to VA to check. Only VA decides eligibility.
- Respect a "not now." Some clients aren't ready to talk about service. Note it and come back to it later.