VA Chiropractic Care

What you get

Chiropractic care is part of the VA medical benefits package. VA chiropractors diagnose and manage muscle and joint conditions, most often in the low back and neck, and work with your primary care and other VA teams.

What VA looks for

1. 1Enrollment in VA health careCare in the medical benefits package starts with enrollment. The exceptions include care for a Veteran with a service-connected rating of 50 percent or more, and care for a service-connected disability itself.
2. 2A VA provider finds the care neededChiropractic services are listed in the medical benefits package. Care in the package is provided only if appropriate health care professionals find it is needed to promote, preserve, or restore your health and it is in accord with generally accepted standards of medical practice.
3. 3A referral from your VA provider (some clinics do not need one)VA's chiropractic program says access is by referral from a VA primary care or specialty provider. Some clinics, such as the Fredericksburg 3 VA Clinic, list chiropractic with no referral required.

Source: 38 CFR 17.36(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(b) (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(2)(x) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(b) (opens in new tab); VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services: chiropractic service (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Fredericksburg 3 VA Clinic (opens in new tab)

Where the care happens

• Chiropractic care at a VA clinic

  Chiropractic services are part of the standard VA medical benefits package. VA's chiropractic program says that, like other specialties, access is by referral from a VA primary care or specialty provider. Some VA clinic pages list chiropractic with no referral required, so check your clinic.

  Source: VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services: chiropractic service (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Fredericksburg 3 VA Clinic (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(2)(x) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(b) (opens in new tab)

• Chiropractic care in the community

  VA provides chiropractic on site at multiple VA facilities in each regional network. When it is not offered on site at your local VA facility, it is available through community care. VA reviews the referral request first. After you schedule, VA sends an authorization letter, which is your approval for community care.

  1. 1A community care referralBefore you schedule an appointment with a community care provider, you must get a referral, and your VA health care team must approve your care. VA does not cover services your authorization letter leaves out.

  Source: VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services: chiropractic care locations (opens in new tab); VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services: chiropractic service (opens in new tab); VA.gov: community care referrals and appointments (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Records move between your VA and community providers. BeneVets does not ask for copies or for details about your health.

Steps, in order

1. Free help with VA enrollment

   Chiropractic care is not a VA claim, but a VSO can help with the VA health care application. Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.

   Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)

2. Enroll in VA health care

   Apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ, online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If you are already enrolled, skip this step.

   Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(a) (opens in new tab)

3. Ask your VA care team

   Ask your VA primary care team about chiropractic care. VA's chiropractic program says the referral comes from a VA primary care or specialty provider; some clinic pages say no referral is required, so check your clinic's VA.gov page.

   Source: VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services: chiropractic service (opens in new tab); VA.gov: Fredericksburg 3 VA Clinic (opens in new tab)

4. No VA chiropractor near you? Ask about community care

   When chiropractic is not offered on site at your local VA facility, it is available through community care. Get a referral from your VA health care team before you schedule; VA reviews the request first. After you schedule, VA sends an authorization letter, which is your approval and says what care you can get and for how long.

   Source: VA Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services: chiropractic care locations (opens in new tab); VA.gov: community care referrals and appointments (opens in new tab)

5. Keep track of your approved visits

   With community care, keep track of how many appointments you go to and how long you are approved to get care. VA does not cover services your authorization letter leaves out. If you need more care, you or your community provider can request a new referral.

   Source: VA.gov: community care referrals and appointments (opens in new tab)

Good to know