Recently, major U.S. companies have come under scrutiny for privacy policies protecting against internal mishandling of digital consumers’ information. With increased congressional and community interest in consumer data and privacy protection, it is important to know how VA protects digital users and Veterans.

VA websites and digital platforms practice a principled approach to user data including principles of Limited Collection, Limited Retention, and Limited Internal Use. VA’s website Privacy Policy states that we only collect user information when necessary and when it is given explicitly by the individual. You can learn more about VA’s principled approach on VA Privacy Service’s Privacy Principles page.

When personal information is explicitly provided and necessary – such as when a Veteran completes a benefits or health form – VA only collects relevant, necessary information. Additionally, Veteran information is handled by the minimum number of parties and is terminated when no longer needed. You can learn more about VA’s ethical data use on DigitalVA.

VA standards also extend to business partners and third-party applications. VA’s digital partners and platforms – like VA mobile apps – are vetted by VA’s Office of Information and Technology to ensure they properly handle user data before being put into use and are continuously monitored once in use.

VA strives to have one of the nation’s strongest frameworks for ethical data practice and privacy for those we serve. You can learn more about our policies and our principled approach to privacy practice through the following link: VA Website Privacy Policy | Veterans Affairs.

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The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

6 Comments

  1. Concerned February 11, 2022 at 18:24

    Start from within with the privacy violation issues. Often times, the real problem is unauthorized access of veterans records by bad actors within the VA who then go and gossip about a persons health records and it’s contents with other VA employees and or other individuals that may know the veteran at other federal agencies. It happens all of the time.

  2. Martin February 2, 2022 at 21:04

    This is a bullsht article!!! The Va. tossed my communications with my doctor!!! No word to me just tossed all of my commo!!! I would sue the living hell out of the Murfreesboro,Tn Va if I could!!! Liars and sneaks

  3. Bruce Jenkins February 2, 2022 at 19:28

    I can review my comments now. Veterans want the removal of full SSNs from VBA and Board of Veterans’ Appeals’ letters and correspondence sent to Veterans. Please protect PII for all Veterans and dependents.

  4. Bruce Jenkins February 2, 2022 at 18:06

    The below statement comes from OPRM.VA.GOV.
    This is misinformation. Veterans’ Affairs continues to send Veterans letters with full Social Security Numbers as claim numbers. Let’s tell the truth and keep Veterans informed with true accomplishments. Please remove the below statement from the website.

    • VBA replaced SSNs with DoD identification numbers on outreach letters sent to active duty and separated service members.

  5. Melinda January 31, 2022 at 11:41

    Obviously my comments are not being posted because they disagree with your lies and deceptions.
    I wholeheartedly disagree. The VA doesn’t care about our privacy, that’s why they have every joe schmuck off the street at the door asking us for our last name and last four so they can access our medical records when they DO NOT have a need to. That is a HIPAA violation and needs to stop immediately! Meanwhile veterans can not access their own records to make changes without going through an act of congress. My name has been screwed up at my VA and I can’t get it changed!!!! Stop feeding us your lies!

    [Editor: When you copy/pasted/posted your message 3x, our Askimet spam filter flagged your comment for spam. I’ve unflagged it.]

    • Bruce Jenkins February 2, 2022 at 19:23

      Veterans’ Affairs took down my post. The VA claim number is the SSN for most Veterans. I requested the removal of SSNs 7 years ago and the VBA is still violating PII.

Comments are closed.

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