 Military.com -- As artificial intelligence continues its upward trajectory into Americans' everyday lives, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is exploring how such technological advancements can help Veterans with post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD, a long-term mental health condition that shows up with physical and mental symptoms and includes flashbacks to traumatic events, is more common among Veterans than civilians. Roughly 7 out of every 100 Veterans will have PTSD at some point in their life, according to VA research. Of the general population, 6 out of every 100 adults, or 6%, will have PTSD in their lifetime.
Military.com reached out to the VA, inquiring whether any VA physicians may lose or are at risk of losing positions due to AI. The VA confirmed this was not the case and said the AI would be used by physicians. Freeing Up Clinicians' Time
On Monday, VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHCS) hosted an AI innovation workshop where providers, researchers and technology experts developed solutions to improve Veteran's care as part of the department's efforts to embrace the technology.
Teams present at the workshop discussed ways to improve operating room scheduling, Veteran transport, research support, and other administrative workflows.
“Our hope is that we can free up some clinician time and still be confident whether a Veteran meets diagnostic criteria," Dr. Amar Mandavia, a clinical psychologist with the VA’s National Center for PTSD, said in a statement. “That means we can reach more Veterans and get them the care they need.”
Mandavia added that an AI tool performed at a level comparable to a clinician in early testing trials but could be rigid, saying that the long-term "goal" is not to replace clinical expertise with AI.
Rather, it's to allow clinicians to collect and utilize better, timelier information.
“The most effective innovations begin with real needs from our VA care teams,” Evan Carey, Ph.D., acting director of the Veterans Health Administration’s National Artificial Intelligence Institute added. “By partnering with frontline employees, we’re developing AI that strengthens decision-making, supports our workforce and ultimately improves healthcare for Veterans.” Mandavia cited how PTSD assessments require clinicians to use psychometrically valid assessment tools like the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) to synthesize large amounts of information while applying clinical and professional judgment.
"AI has the potential to organize that information more efficiently so clinicians can focus on what matters most: listening to Veterans, making informed decisions and delivering high-quality care.”
Broader AI Implementation Across Government
The VA began its formal integration of clinical and administrative artificial intelligence in July 2019, following the appointment of its first National Director of Artificial Intelligence. By October 2023, following federal directives, the VA accelerated its deployments by launching an AI Tech Sprint designed to integrate ambient dictation tools into clinical workflows utilizing systems like VA GPT and Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat. However, some have raised concerns about its use. A February 2026 study from Oxford University detailed clinical risks across broader medical networks, documenting how large language models, or LLMs, generate plausible yet inaccurate data, propagate data biases, and omit structural “incident reporting systems” to trace errors in electronic records. Other Trump administration departments have similarly blended AI into their work streams.
In January, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released the Artificial Intelligence Acceleration Strategy to speed up the military's use of AI.
“We will unleash experimentation, eliminate bureaucratic barriers, focus our investments and demonstrate the execution approach needed to ensure we lead in military AI,” Hegseth said in a speech at the time. The Pentagon has also formally adopted Responsible Artificial Intelligence principles that govern how systems are designed, tested and deployed.
The VA is in the middle of a restructuring plan and that brought the area director to the Dayton VA and our Springfield clinic Wednesday. Dr. Anthony Stazzone is the new Health Service Area (HSA) Director of area 3.1 covering Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
He and staff members wanted to see first-hand the good things happening on campus, how Veterans are being cared for and meet with the leadership team. Dr. Stazzone said it was great to see the mission for Veterans being carried out.
Happy 100th Birthday to WWII Veteran Roy Litteral. He celebrated his big day Friday at a bed and breakfast in South Charleston with dozens of relatives and friends, including his 90-year-old “little brother.” Director Jennifer DeFrancesco presented him with a centenarian letter of appreciation for his service, a hat and other gifts.
Mr. Litteral was born in Greenup, KY. At 16, he forged his mother’s name to get into the Navy, serving on the USS Saratoga. He was sent home and then later drafted into the U.S. Army serving from 1943-1946 where he was a tech 5. Mr. Litteral gets his healthcare at our Springfield clinic. Here’s to many more birthdays!
Wednesday was National Coffee with a Cop Day. Dayton VA Police served up coffee and donuts to casually engage with Veterans, staff and the public. There was a contest to see which service could donate the most coffee to the hospital. The winner will be announced this Thursday. Chief Chad Harris expects the event will become an annual event.
Veterans and employees showed off their creativity by decorating pumpkins Thursday. It was our annual pumpkin painting event. They can now enter their pumpkins into the Fall Fest contest coming up tomorrow Oct. 15th at the picnic/pavilion area. The Fall Fest is open to everyone.
The annual Virtual Walk has officially begun and goes until Oct. 31st. Joining is free. See the flyer for how to log your miles.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) wants you to participate in Wear Purple Day on October 15th. Wear purple clothing, ribbons, or accessories to show support for survivors, honor victims, and raise awareness to help end domestic violence.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. VA provides breast health services designed specifically for Veterans. From screenings and diagnosis to treatment, recovery and mental health support, we’re here to support you.
Save the date for the 5th annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 7th at 11:00 a.m. We are honored to host another great celebration of the Veterans we proudly serve.
 Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Hendrix served 42 years in the Army and National Guard, joining just before the Korean War. But what Hendrix is most known for is his advocacy for Veterans that started while he was serving in the Guard.
Active in the American Legion for 60 years, he represented his home state of Georgia locally and nationally and used his positions to make sure Veterans had access to VA healthcare.
***Click to read story: https://vaww.insider.va.gov/freedom-250-veteran-advocate-worked-to-bring-va-healthcare-closer-to-veterans/
**VA is celebrating some of the Veterans who served so we may enjoy freedom. They’re the reason the country made it to 250 years. See all their profiles on the Freedom 250 web page.
 From Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, VA joins the nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and recognizing the history, culture, service and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
The observance is an opportunity to thank Hispanic Veterans for their service to our nation and recognize the Hispanic American employees across VA, many of whom are Veterans themselves, whose work helps us fulfill our mission every day. **Click here to read more: https://vaww.insider.va.gov/celebrating-hispanic-american-heritage-month/
The final Farmers Market will close out with the Fall Fest is this Thursday, October 15th from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the picnic pavilion. The food trucks scheduled for this week are: Frozen Fox, Lumpia Queen, Hell Belly Burritos, Wild Banana and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Come out and celebrate another great year of food and fun!
The Farmers Market is open to the public.
The Fall Festival takes place alongside the Farmers Market on October 15th. The festival will be from 11am-1pm at the picnic/pavilion area. Come out for fun, food and a pumpkin painting contest. Drop off a bag of candy that will be donated to Trunk or Treat which is taking place the next day, Friday, October 16th.
Our Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) no longer schedule appointments for lab draws. They are done on a walk-in basis only, like at the main campus. Our new Electronic Health Record (EHR) doesn't allow appointment scheduling for lab procedures. Only LPNs perform functions related to lab procedures. We are hiring more LPNs to reduce wait times for blood draws. Veterans needing labs that do not require fasting are encouraged to arrive later in the morning to minimize waiting.
The Virtual Health Resource Center (VHRC) has extended walk-in hours and days available for Veterans.
Tuesday 9:00am-2:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-2:00pm
Thursday 9:00am-2:00pm
Friday Appointment only (CBOC locations when needed)
Chaplain Service will have two spirituality groups for women Veterans. One is every Tuesday from October 13th – November 17th. The other is every Thursday from October 15th – November 19th. See below for more details.
 
October is Physical Therapy Month which honors physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The month raises awareness about the benefits of physical therapy. We salute our PTs and PTAs at Dayton VA.
Veteran Brian Macdonald's MOVE! story shares how he turned the desire to play with his grandchildren into life-changing healthy habits. He learned how to overcome barriers and increase his daily step goal from 1,000 to between 5,000 and 10,000.
 ***Click here for more information on the program: https://www.move.va.gov/ Veterans interested in the program can call extension (937) 268-6511 ext.1699.
The Legal Clinic for Veterans started back up and the event for September was a success. The next clinic will be on Monday, October 19th. Please keep in mind this is a clinic for civil legal cases only. See flyer for how to get an appointment.
Veterans are encouraged to use Direct Deposit to get payments faster and safer.
We are more than three months in with the new Electronic Health Record (EHR). We are still going through some growing pains, including with delays in answering phone calls. We appreciate your patience as we continue this transition. These changes are designed to improve coordination and continuity of care for Veterans. If you get your healthcare here, thank you for trusting Dayton VA with your healthcare.
A free monthly fitness program at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
See flyer below for more details.
The Women Overcoming & Winning (W.O.W.) social group meets the first Monday of each month. The next meeting will be, November 2nd, from 6:00-7:30pm in building 305. Women Veterans are encouraged to attend.
A free monthly program is live every Tuesday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
See flyer below for more details.
The next Coffee Club meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10th. Dayton VA Medical Center Outreach Team will be in attendance. See information below.
 Less scroll, more soul. Taking time away from screens can help you reconnect with what matters most: your health, your relationships, and your daily life. Spirit and soul are an important part of your well-being. What helps you reconnect?
***Click here for more information: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/spirit-soul.asp
 Dayton VA Veterans, staff and retirees have free access to more than 100 live, online Ompractice classes weekly, an on-demand video library & new programming every month.
**Click here for video library: | 
