Department of War and Department of Veterans Affairs Partnership

The DOW and VA maintain one of the largest healthcare partnerships in the federal government.

Together, they work to deliver seamless, high-quality care for service members from active duty through their transition to veteran status, while maximizing shared resources, facilities, and expertise. Secure data sharing and coordinated procurement are other areas where partnership helps achieve greater outcomes.

The partnership matters to service members and veterans when we're able to reduce waiting times and increase access to care. Just in the Military Health System, the partnership has enhanced surgical volume and added procedural case complexity  for military medical providers. Recapturing regional Direct CareDirect care refers to military hospitals and clinics, also known as “military treatment facilities” and “MTFs.”direct care into federal healthcare facilities has not only cost-savings but also can reduce waiting times for certain services in some locations.

This section features the latest news and updates on our joint health initiatives.

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Article
May 13, 2026

VA surgeon operates on patients in naval facility

Orthopedic Surgeon Mark Gould, U.S. Navy retired captain, prepares for a hindfoot fusion surgery

Since the commencement of the partnership between Naval Hospital Jacksonville and the Department of Veterans Affairs late last summer, a groundbreaking milestone took place. For the first time ever, a VA surgeon operated on a patient in NH Jacksonville, which has been a military treatment facility for nearly 85 years. Dr. Mark Gould, a retired Navy ...

Article
May 5, 2026

Veterans Affairs expands clinic at Arnold Air Force Base

VA expands clinic at Arnold AFB

An expansion of the Tullahoma Veterans Affairs Clinic is nearing completion, boosting access to care for an additional 1,800 eligible patients, to include active duty Airmen. Officials anticipate the clinic will begin seeing new patients June 1. “This expansion reflects the strength of the partnership between VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and ...

Article
Feb. 27, 2026

Landmark cardiac procedure at Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center made possible by DOW-VA resource sharing

Landmark cardiac procedure at Department of War medical facility

A physician from the Department of Veterans Affairs performed a landmark cardiac procedure at the Mike O'Callaghan Military Medical Center, the first time that it has been performed successfully in the state of Nevada. This achievement represents a significant step forward for local cardiac care and showcases the success of a resource-sharing ...

Article
Oct. 28, 2025

Naval Hospital Jacksonville enhances veteran care with joint VA initiative

NH Jacksonville enhances Veteran care with joint VA initiative

In a landmark step toward stronger partnership and integrated health care, Naval Hospital Jacksonville has launched a new initiative in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of War. The program, led by Cmdr. Elizabeth Farrar as the administrative team lead and Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Marsh as the clinical team lead, aims ...

Article
Feb. 24, 2025

DOD and VA Release 2025 Lower Limb Amputation Clinical Practice Guidelines to Improve Patient Care

DOD and VA Release 2025 Lower Limb Amputation Clinical Practice Guidelines to Improve Patient Care

The 2025 update to the Clinical Practice Guideline on the Rehabilitation of Individuals with Lower Limb Amputation, a collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense with oversight through the Defense Health Agency’s Office of Evidence Based Practice, was released in January 2025. The guideline offers important ...