Independent initiative · Information, resources, and a moderated member community
Veterans Acoustic
Neuroma Network

Veteran and active-duty care navigator

Find the right door.
Keep the path moving.

Use the pathway that matches your current status to organize referrals, records, hearing care, follow-up, and questions about work or duty.

VeteransNavigate VA healthcareEnrollment, audiology, specialty and community care, records, and benefits help Active dutyNavigate military healthcarePCM, TRICARE referrals, authorizations, records, continuity, and duty questions

Veteran pathway

Move through VA care one step at a time

Start with the step that applies to you. Your local VA team must confirm the care and referral process for your situation.

  1. Confirm enrollment and your VA facility

    If you are not enrolled, begin with the VA healthcare application. If you are enrolled, confirm the facility and primary-care team responsible for coordinating your care.

    Apply for VA healthcare → Find a VA location →

  2. Contact VA audiology for hearing support

    VA describes audiology as a direct-access service for enrolled and eligible veterans. Services can include diagnostic hearing evaluation, hearing devices, tinnitus care, balance assessment, rehabilitation, and implant evaluation. Availability and referral needs for particular services can vary by facility.

    Open VA audiology services →

  3. Ask who will coordinate specialist care

    Ask your primary-care or specialty team how to reach the appropriate acoustic-neuroma specialists and how they will coordinate MRI, audiology, consultations, and follow-up. Depending on the case, the clinical team may involve neurotology or otology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, audiology, and rehabilitation.

  4. Verify community-care authorization before outside care

    Do not assume an outside appointment will be covered. VA states that you generally need a referral from your VA healthcare team before scheduling with a community-care provider. Check the approved provider, authorized services, number or period of visits, and expiration date in the authorization letter.

    Review VA community-care referral steps →

  5. Keep records available across systems

    My HealtheVet on VA.gov can provide appointments, secure messages, and access to portions of the VA medical record. Ask how actual MRI images—not only the written report—should be transferred to another team.

    Manage VA healthcare and records → Request complete VA records →

Benefits help

Use an accredited representative

A VA-accredited VSO representative, attorney, or claims agent can help with a claim or decision review. Accredited VSO representation is free. This network does not prepare claims, determine service connection, or predict ratings.

Find accredited help

Active-duty pathway

Coordinate through your military care team

Active-duty referral and authorization requirements are different from civilian self-referral. Confirm every step before receiving outside specialty care.

  1. Begin with your primary care manager

    Bring the MRI report, actual image files, audiology results, symptom timeline, and your questions. Ask which specialist or multidisciplinary team should review the case.

  2. Confirm referral and pre-authorization

    TRICARE states that active-duty service members need a referral for most care outside their assigned military hospital or clinic. When care is approved, use the provider named in the authorization, obtain approval before changing providers, and receive care before the authorization expires.

    Review TRICARE referral and authorization rules →

  3. Use the secure military health portal

    The MHS GENESIS Patient Portal provides access to health information, appointment tools, and secure communication with the healthcare team. Ask the clinic how to transfer outside MRI images and consultation notes into the record.

    Open the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal →

  4. Plan continuity before travel or reassignment

    Before a PCS, deployment, temporary duty, separation, or retirement, ask who will manage pending referrals, surveillance imaging, prescriptions, hearing devices, and rehabilitation. Keep copies of authorization details and the clinical follow-up plan.

  5. Direct duty and retention questions to the military medical team

    Describe the tasks affected by hearing, balance, fatigue, treatment, or travel. A diagnosis alone does not allow this website—or a peer group—to determine fitness for duty. If your clinicians raise a Medical Evaluation Board, ask for the applicable service guidance and assigned case contacts.

    Read the Defense Health Agency MEB overview →

Hearing readiness

Defense Health Agency Hearing Center of Excellence

Official resources cover hearing conservation, hearing testing, tinnitus, vestibular education, and service-member hearing health. The center does not provide individual patient care; use your clinic for personal medical questions.

Open service-member resources

Care coordination checklist

Know the next action before you leave

Selections are temporary and are not submitted or stored by this website. Use your browser’s print option if you want a paper copy.

What to keep together

ClinicalMRI report and imagesAudiograms and speech testingConsultation notesMedication list
CoordinationReferral and authorizationApproved providerVisit limits and expirationCare-team contacts
Personal planningSymptom timelineQuestions and prioritiesWork or duty tasks affectedTravel and family needs

Protect these records. Store and transmit them only through approved healthcare or benefits channels. Do not post medical records, service identifiers, unit information, or authorization numbers in member discussions.

Official resources and limits

Programs and rules can change. Confirm current eligibility, coverage, referrals, and deadlines directly with VA, TRICARE, or your military medical team.

Sources reviewed September 18, 2026. This independent website is not a VA, DoD, TRICARE, legal, benefits, or clinical service.