The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is lifting its restriction on sharing information with the Department of Defense (DOD) about treatment for certain types of medical conditions, including treatment for drug or alcohol use, sickle cell anemia and HIV/AIDS, according to a VA statement. A recent review of information sharing processes with the DOD found that this restriction impedes the VA’s ability to coordinate the care and treatment of veterans. This restriction was enacted before other privacy laws existed to protect against unauthorized disclosures of VA medical records.

To read the VA statement, click here.