What this guide covers:
- Secure messaging — how your words become evidence in your medical record
- How to get the most out of every VA appointment when your provider has 15 minutes
- Referrals to specialists who can document what your PCP cannot
- Mental health access — getting in, staying engaged, and building the record
- Benefits most veterans never claim — and how to start claiming them
- A health tracking journal that carries forward in your Project session to session
Project Setup must be completed before using this guide.
Your Claude account, Project, memory file, and records are all handled in the VA Project Setup guide. This guide and the VA Claims Builder run inside the same Project — you only set it up once.
If your setup is complete, open a new conversation inside your Project and use the prompts below. Type "I am ready to run [prompt name]" and Claude will guide you through it.
MyHealtheVet secure messaging is not just a way to ask questions. It is one of the most powerful documentation tools a veteran has — and most veterans use it like a phone call instead of like a legal record.
Every message you send is timestamped, provider-received, and filed in your permanent medical record.
When your Blue Button report is pulled — by a C&P examiner, a rater, or your own attorney — your secure messages are in there. A message sent on a specific date saying your pain was at an 8 out of 10 and you could not get out of bed that morning is a dated, documented report in your medical record. It is more reliable evidence than what you remember at an appointment six weeks later.
Used correctly, secure messaging creates a running symptom diary that lives inside your VA file — one that builds your claims record while you are actively managing your care.
Subject Line Rules — 50 Character Limit
Every secure message requires a subject line and the VA system caps it at 50 characters. A good subject line tells your provider exactly what kind of message this is so it gets routed and read correctly. Generic subjects like "Question" or "Appointment" get lost. Specific ones get acted on.
| Example Subject Line | Characters | When to Use It |
|---|
Symptom Update - Lower Back 6/15 | 34 | Documenting a symptom change by date |
Referral Request - Neurology | 29 | Requesting a specialist referral |
Pre-Appt Summary - PCP 6/20 | 29 | Pre-appointment message to your PCP |
Pre-Appt Summary - MH 6/22 | 28 | Pre-appointment message to mental health |
Medication Side Effects - Lisinopril | 37 | Reporting medication issues |
Follow-Up: Referral Not Received | 33 | Following up on a missing referral |
MH Check-In - Not Doing Well | 29 | Mental health between-session message |
Imaging Request - Lumbar MRI | 28 | Requesting a specific diagnostic study |
Flare Documentation - [Condition] | 33 + condition | Documenting a bad episode in real time |
Device Request - CPAP / Cane / Brace | 37 | Requesting an assistive device |
What to Message and How to Write It
The goal is to be specific enough that the message creates a useful record, but clinical enough that your provider can act on it. Do not write a legal document. Write a clear, honest description of what you are experiencing, when it started or got worse, and what you need.
| Instead of this | Write this |
|---|
| "My back has been bad lately." |
"My lower back pain has been significantly worse over the past two weeks. Pain is averaging a 7 out of 10 daily and hitting 9 during flares. I had three days this week where I could not sit at a desk or drive. I am also having numbness and tingling down both legs. I want to flag this for my record and ask whether we should adjust my treatment plan or consider a referral." |
| "I have not been sleeping well." |
"I am averaging 3 to 4 hours of sleep per night due to pain and recurring nightmares. I wake up 4 to 5 times a night. During the day I am having difficulty concentrating and I fell asleep while driving last month, which scared me. I want this documented and I would like a referral to sleep medicine if possible." |
| "My hearing seems worse." |
"I have noticed significant worsening in my hearing in my right ear over the past two months. I am asking people to repeat themselves daily and I am missing words in conversation even in quiet environments. I also have constant ringing that has gotten louder. I would like a referral to audiology for a new hearing evaluation and to discuss whether my current hearing aids need to be adjusted." |
| "I have been feeling anxious." |
"I want to document that I have been experiencing increased anxiety, difficulty leaving the house, and hypervigilance in public spaces over the past month. I am also having nightmares 3 to 4 nights per week and significant anger and irritability that is affecting my family. I would like a mental health referral and want this documented in my record." |
Prompt — Draft a Secure Message for Symptom Documentation
Help me draft a secure message to my VA provider documenting my current symptoms for [CONDITION].
The message should:
- Be written in plain language, not like a legal document
- Include specific pain levels, frequency, and functional impact
- Describe what has gotten worse and approximately when
- Ask for whatever I need — a medication review, a referral, imaging, or just to have it documented
- Be concise enough that a provider reading it in 2 minutes gets the full picture
Also produce a subject line under 50 characters that clearly identifies the type and topic of this message.
Ask me what I am experiencing before drafting so the message uses my actual words and real details.
This message will become part of my permanent VA medical record. Write it as if that matters — because it does.
Replace [CONDITION] before running.
Prompt — Draft a Secure Message Requesting a Referral
Help me draft a secure message to my VA primary care provider requesting a referral to [SPECIALIST TYPE].
The message should:
- Briefly state why I need the referral and what symptoms or findings support it
- Reference any relevant history in my record — prior imaging, prior referrals, prior diagnoses
- Ask specifically for the referral by name
- Be respectful and direct — not demanding, not apologetic
I want this referral because: [EXPLAIN YOUR REASON]
Also produce a subject line under 50 characters in the format: Referral Request - [Specialist Type]
Draft the message so it gives my provider enough clinical justification to approve the referral without having to ask follow-up questions.
Replace [SPECIALIST TYPE] and fill in your reason before running.
Prompt — Draft a Secure Message Following Up on a Missed Referral or Delayed Care
I requested a referral or follow-up care [TIME AGO] and I have not heard anything. Help me draft a secure message following up.
The message should:
- Politely reference the original request and approximately when it was made
- State that I have not received a response or appointment
- Restate why the care is needed and why the delay is affecting my health or function
- Ask for a specific timeline or next step
I am following up on: [DESCRIBE WHAT YOU ARE WAITING FOR]
Also produce a subject line under 50 characters in the format: Follow-Up: [What You Are Waiting For]
Keep the tone professional. The goal is to get a response and get moving — not to complain.
Fill in the details before running.
Tip: After any significant symptom report you send by secure message, download a fresh Blue Button report within a few days and confirm the message appears in your record. If it does not, follow up. What is not in the record does not count.
VA primary care providers are often carrying enormous patient loads. Your appointment may be 15 to 20 minutes. In that window, your provider is reviewing your chart, managing medications, processing referral paperwork, and handling whatever you bring up. Appointments do not run over — when the time is up, the visit ends whether you are done or not. If you do not have a clear agenda going in, you will walk out with less than you needed.
The VA system does not automatically connect the dots for you.
Your primary care provider does not automatically know that your pain has gotten worse, that you fell last week, that you stopped being able to drive, or that the medication you are taking is causing side effects. They know what is in the chart — and the chart only reflects what has been documented. If you do not report it, it does not exist in your record.
Send a pre-appointment message 2 to 3 days before every visit. Put your agenda in writing before you walk in. This gives your provider time to review what you need, pull relevant records, and walk into that appointment already prepared — which means your 15 minutes gets used on solutions instead of background.
Prompt — Pre-Appointment Secure Message to PCP
I have a VA primary care appointment on [DATE]. Help me draft a pre-appointment secure message to send 2 to 3 days before the visit.
Ask me:
- What has changed or gotten worse since my last appointment
- What specific symptoms I want documented in the visit note
- What referrals, imaging, medications, or equipment I want to ask for
- Any concerns about current medications — side effects, interactions, or effectiveness
Then produce:
1. A pre-appointment secure message that gives my provider a clear agenda before I walk in — specific enough that they can pull relevant records and come prepared
2. A subject line under 50 characters in the format: Pre-Appt Summary - PCP [DATE]
3. A prioritized agenda I bring with me to the appointment — the 3 to 5 most important things to cover, in order, with the specific language to use for each ask
The goal is to use every minute of my appointment on what matters, not on re-explaining my history from scratch.
Replace [DATE] before running.
Prompt — Request Specific Imaging or Diagnostic Testing
I need to ask my VA provider to order [IMAGING OR TEST TYPE] for my [CONDITION].
Help me prepare what to say at my appointment — or draft a secure message if I am requesting it outside of a visit.
Include:
- The clinical justification for this test based on my symptoms and history
- The last time this test was done (if I know it) and why an updated study is needed
- What I am hoping the test will show or rule out
- How to ask for it in a way that gives my provider a clear clinical reason to approve it
If drafting as a secure message, also produce a subject line under 50 characters in the format: Imaging Request - [Test Type]
Replace [IMAGING OR TEST TYPE] and [CONDITION] before running.
Prompt — Request an Assistive Device (Cane, CPAP, Brace, Hearing Aid)
I need to ask my VA provider to prescribe or order [DEVICE] for my [CONDITION].
Help me prepare what to say at my appointment or in a secure message. Include:
- How this device addresses a specific functional limitation I have documented
- The clinical basis for the request
- What to say if the provider asks why I need it or suggests I try something else first
If drafting as a secure message, also produce a subject line under 50 characters in the format: Device Request - [Device Name]
An assistive device prescribed by a VA provider becomes part of my medical record and supports my claims. I want to make sure this request is documented correctly.
Replace [DEVICE] and [CONDITION] before running.
Specialist notes carry more weight than primary care notes in claims decisions. A neurologist's finding of radiculopathy is harder to dismiss than a PCP's note that the veteran reported leg pain. An audiologist's documented hearing thresholds are objective evidence that an examiner cannot reinterpret. Getting in front of the right specialist — and making sure the visit note accurately reflects your symptoms — is one of the most important things you can do for both your care and your claims.
| Specialist | Why It Matters for Claims |
|---|
| Orthopedics / Spine |
Documents structural findings, functional limits, and surgical or treatment recommendations for musculoskeletal conditions. Critical for spine, joint, and extremity claims. |
| Neurology / Neurosurgery |
Documents nerve damage, radiculopathy, and neurological deficits. EMG and nerve conduction studies provide objective evidence that raters cannot ignore. |
| Audiology |
Pure tone audiometry provides objective hearing thresholds. Required for hearing loss claims and documents tinnitus severity. |
| Sleep Medicine |
Polysomnography (sleep study) is required for an obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis. CPAP compliance data supports both the initial claim and demonstrates ongoing disability. |
| Mental Health / Psychology |
Formal diagnosis, treatment notes, and PCL-5/PHQ-9 scores in your mental health record are the foundation of any PTSD or psychiatric claim. Active treatment is the strongest evidence of ongoing disability. |
| Pain Management |
Documents chronic pain, functional limitations, and treatment history. Useful for musculoskeletal and neurological claims where pain is a primary symptom. |
| Cardiology |
Blood pressure readings, cardiovascular findings, and treatment documentation support hypertension and cardiac claims. |
| Urology |
Documents bladder dysfunction, which can be secondary to spinal conditions. Often an overlooked connection in spine claims. |
| Podiatry / Orthotics |
Documents foot, ankle, and gait problems. Abnormal gait from a service-connected condition can open secondary claims for knee, hip, and lower extremity conditions. |
Prompt — Prepare for a Specialist Appointment
I have an upcoming appointment with [SPECIALIST TYPE] on [DATE] for my [CONDITION].
Help me prepare so I get the most out of this visit and the visit note accurately reflects my symptoms and functional limitations.
Ask me:
- What my primary symptoms are and how severe they have been recently
- What my worst episodes look like
- What I cannot do because of this condition
- What I am hoping this specialist can evaluate, diagnose, or recommend
Then produce:
1. A list of the most important things to communicate to this specialist
2. Specific language for describing my symptoms in clinical terms they will document
3. What to ask the specialist to include in their note
4. What diagnostic tests or studies I should ask them to order if they have not already
Replace [SPECIALIST TYPE], [DATE], and [CONDITION] before running.
Mental health treatment is both the right thing to do for yourself and one of the most important things you can do for a PTSD or psychiatric claim. Active treatment in your VA record — therapy notes, medication management, crisis contacts, PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores tracked over time — is the strongest possible evidence that a mental health condition is real, ongoing, and affecting your life.
Many veterans do not seek mental health care because they do not think their symptoms are bad enough, they do not want it on their record, or they do not know how to ask. All three of those reasons have costs — to your health and to your claims.
If you are in crisis right now, stop here.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988, then press 1. Chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net. You can also walk into any VA emergency department or urgent care — same-day mental health services are available at most VA facilities without an appointment.
You do not have to be in immediate danger to reach out. If things feel heavy, that is reason enough.
Getting into mental health care at the VA.
You can self-refer to VA mental health care. You do not need your primary care provider to send you. Call your VA mental health clinic directly, send a secure message to your PCP asking for a referral, or walk into most VA facilities and ask for same-day mental health services.
Your mental health provider — whether a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist — is documenting your sessions. What they write in their notes after each visit is what goes into your medical record and your Blue Button report. If you minimize your symptoms in session, that minimization goes into the record. If you tell them what is actually happening, that goes in instead.
Mental health providers also respond to secure messages between sessions. Most will not be able to respond immediately, but they read their messages and respond when they can. If something comes up between appointments — a bad night, a trigger, a symptom spike — send a message. It gets documented and it keeps your provider informed about what is happening in real time, not just at your scheduled visit every few weeks.
Pre-Appointment Messages — Mental Health
Mental health appointments are time-limited just like primary care. A 50-minute therapy session sounds like a lot — but it fills fast with check-ins, treatment review, and crisis assessment. Sending a pre-appointment message 2 to 3 days before the visit lets your provider know what to focus on and ensures the visit note captures what actually happened in your life since the last session.
Prompt — Pre-Appointment Secure Message to Mental Health Provider
I have a mental health appointment on [DATE] with [PROVIDER TYPE — therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist]. Help me draft a pre-appointment secure message to send 2 to 3 days before the visit.
Ask me:
- How my symptoms have been since my last appointment — what has been worse, what has stayed the same
- Any specific incidents or episodes since my last visit — nightmares, panic attacks, anger episodes, avoidance, difficulty at work or with family
- Current medication effectiveness and any side effects I have noticed
- My sleep, appetite, and ability to function day to day
- Anything I want to make sure gets addressed in the upcoming session
Then produce:
1. A pre-appointment secure message that gives my provider a clear picture of where I am before I walk in — specific enough that they can tailor the session to what I actually need
2. A subject line under 50 characters in the format: Pre-Appt Summary - MH [DATE]
3. A brief list of the 2 to 3 things I most need to cover in the session, in priority order
The goal is to make sure the visit note reflects what I have actually been living since my last appointment — not just how I feel the day I walk in.
Replace [DATE] and [PROVIDER TYPE] before running.
Between-Session Messaging — Mental Health
You do not have to wait until your next appointment to communicate with your mental health provider. Most VA mental health providers actively monitor their secure messages and will respond when they are able. A between-session message that documents a bad week, a symptom spike, or a specific incident creates a timestamped record of what you were experiencing at that moment — which is more accurate than trying to reconstruct it at your next visit.
When to send a between-session message: A significant nightmare or flashback. A panic attack or anxiety episode. A period of increased anger, irritability, or emotional shutdown. Difficulty leaving the house or functioning at work. A change in medication effectiveness. Anything that felt bad enough that you would want your provider to know about it. If you are not sure whether to send it — send it.
Prompt — Draft a Between-Session Mental Health Message
I need to send a secure message to my mental health provider about something that happened or has been happening since my last appointment.
Ask me:
- What happened or what I have been experiencing
- When it started or how long it has been going on
- How it has affected my daily life, my sleep, my relationships, or my ability to function
- Whether I need anything right now — an earlier appointment, a medication adjustment, or just to have it documented
Then produce:
1. A between-session secure message that describes what I am experiencing in honest, specific terms — without being more detailed than I am comfortable with
2. A subject line under 50 characters in the format: MH Check-In - [Brief Description]
3. A note at the end of the message asking my provider to document this in my record even if no immediate action is needed
This message does not need to be long. It just needs to be honest and specific enough to create an accurate record of what I am going through.
If at any point what I am describing sounds like a crisis, tell me directly — do not just draft the message. Point me to the Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) and ask if I need immediate support before we continue.
Prompt — Prepare for a Mental Health Appointment
I have a mental health appointment on [DATE] with [PROVIDER TYPE — therapist, psychiatrist, psychologist].
Help me prepare so the visit note accurately reflects what I have been experiencing.
Ask me:
- How my symptoms have been since my last appointment — what has been worse, what has stayed the same
- Any specific incidents or episodes I want documented — nightmares, panic attacks, anger episodes, avoidance behaviors, difficulty at work or with family
- Current medication effectiveness and any side effects
- My sleep, my appetite, my ability to function day to day
Then produce:
1. A summary of my current symptom picture that I can use to guide the conversation
2. Specific things I need to make sure the provider documents in the visit note
3. Any questions I should ask about my treatment plan or next steps
Replace [DATE] and [PROVIDER TYPE] before running.
Prompt — Request a Mental Health Referral
I have not been seen by VA mental health services and I want to start. Help me draft a secure message to my primary care provider requesting a mental health referral.
I am experiencing: [BRIEFLY DESCRIBE — anxiety, nightmares, depression, difficulty functioning, etc.]
The message should:
- Be honest and specific about what I am experiencing without being more detailed than I am comfortable with
- Ask specifically for a mental health referral
- Mention that I understand same-day mental health services are available if needed
- Set a professional tone that makes it easy for my provider to approve and process the referral
Also produce a subject line under 50 characters: Referral Request - Mental Health
I understand that getting into mental health care is important for both my health and my VA claims. Help me take that first step.
Fill in what you are experiencing before running.
What Mental Health Treatment Does for Your Claims
| What Gets Documented | Why It Matters for Your Record |
|---|
| Initial diagnosis |
A formal diagnosis of PTSD, major depression, anxiety disorder, or adjustment disorder in your VA record is the foundation of a psychiatric claim. Without a diagnosis, there is no claim. |
| PCL-5 and PHQ-9 scores |
These screening tools are administered regularly in VA mental health care. Scores tracked over time demonstrate ongoing disability and show whether your condition is improving or stable. Stable high scores support sustained rating. |
| Therapy and session notes |
Each session note describes your symptoms, your functional status, and your treatment progress. These notes go into your Blue Button report and are reviewed by C&P examiners. |
| Medication management notes |
Documentation of psychiatric medications — what you take, why you take it, and how it is or is not working — supports the severity of your condition. The fact that you require medication is itself evidence of disability. |
| Crisis contacts and safety assessments |
Any crisis contact, safety assessment, or emergency mental health visit is documented and becomes part of your record. These are among the strongest pieces of evidence for higher PTSD ratings. |
| Functional impact statements |
When your provider documents that your condition affects your ability to work, maintain relationships, or perform daily activities, that functional language maps directly to the rating criteria under 38 CFR 4.130. |
| Between-session messages |
Secure messages documenting symptom spikes, nightmares, panic attacks, or difficult periods between appointments create a real-time record of ongoing disability that a single monthly appointment cannot fully capture. |
Your VA disability rating opens doors to benefits beyond monthly compensation. Most veterans only claim a fraction of what they are entitled to — not because the benefits do not exist, but because no one told them. This section covers what is available and how to start asking for it.
Benefits by Category
| Benefit | What It Is and Who Qualifies |
|---|
| VA Healthcare (Priority Groups) |
Veterans with service-connected disabilities receive priority healthcare enrollment. Higher ratings mean lower or no copays. If you are not enrolled, enroll first — everything else builds from there. |
| Dental Care |
Veterans rated 100% P&T or with certain service-connected conditions qualify for comprehensive VA dental care. Below 100%, limited dental is available. Ask your VA about eligibility — many veterans who qualify do not know it. |
| Travel Pay (Beneficiary Travel) |
Veterans rated 30% or higher may qualify for mileage reimbursement to and from VA appointments. File within 30 days of each appointment at the travel office or through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS). |
| Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31 / VR&E) |
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 20% or higher may qualify for job training, education, and employment support — including self-employment assistance. If your disability makes it hard to maintain employment, this program can help. |
| Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) / Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) |
Veterans with specific service-connected conditions may qualify for grants to build, buy, or modify a home. Eligibility depends on the nature and severity of the disability — ask your VSO to review your eligibility. |
| Adaptive Equipment Grant |
Veterans with service-connected limb loss or severe disability may qualify for grants to modify a vehicle or purchase adaptive equipment. VR&E can also fund equipment for employment purposes. |
| Caregiver Support Program (PCAFC) |
Eligible veterans may qualify to have a family caregiver receive a stipend, health insurance, and training through the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Post-9/11 eligibility has expanded significantly. |
| Aid and Attendance / Housebound |
Veterans who need help with daily activities or are substantially confined to their home may qualify for additional Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) payments above their regular rating. |
| State-Level Benefits |
Property tax exemptions, vehicle registration discounts, hunting and fishing licenses, free or reduced state park access, tuition waivers for dependents, and more — vary by state but are available in most. Your state Department of Veterans Affairs is the starting point. |
| Education Benefits (Chapter 33 / Post-9/11 GI Bill) |
If you have unused GI Bill benefits, they do not expire. They can also be transferred to a spouse or dependent child in many circumstances. Check your remaining entitlement at VA.gov. |
| Life Insurance (VGLI / S-DVI) |
Veterans group life insurance options exist after separation. If you have a service-connected disability, waiver of premiums may be available. Review your coverage if you have not done so recently. |
Prompt — Identify Which Benefits Apply to Me Right Now
Based on my memory file — my current rating, my service-connected conditions, my dependents, and my situation — identify every VA and state benefit I may currently qualify for that I am not already using.
For each benefit:
- Tell me what it is and what it provides
- Tell me whether I likely qualify based on what you know about my situation
- Tell me exactly how to apply or where to start — the specific form, office, or first phone call
- Flag any benefit where I am close to qualifying but not quite there yet, and what would get me over the threshold
Do not list things I already have. Focus on what I am missing.
Prompt — Prepare to Apply for a Specific Benefit
I want to apply for [BENEFIT NAME].
Help me:
1. Confirm whether I qualify based on my current rating and service-connected conditions
2. Identify the correct form or application process
3. Gather any documentation I will need before applying
4. Draft any supporting statement or cover letter if needed
5. Identify who to contact at the VA or my VSO to process this
Replace [BENEFIT NAME] with the specific benefit before running.
Start with your VSO. Your VSO can tell you what state-level benefits are available where you live, help you apply for federal benefits, and flag programs you might not know exist. Bring this list to your next VSO meeting and go through it line by line.
The biggest gap in most veterans' medical records is not missing documents — it is missing time. A C&P examiner sees you once. Your PCP sees you for 15 minutes every few months. Neither of them knows what happened to you on a Tuesday in October when you could not get out of bed, or what your average pain level actually was over the past 90 days, or how many times this month you had to cancel plans because of a flare.
A health tracking journal fills that gap. It builds a dated, specific, chronological record of what you are actually living — one you control, one that can be turned into a secure message, a lay statement, or a C&P exam answer at any time.
Your health journal lives in your Project — it carries forward automatically.
Because the VA Care Guide runs inside your Claude Project, your journal entries persist from session to session. You do not need to copy and paste your log every time. Open a new conversation inside your Project, reference your journal, and Claude will have your full history available.
The journal setup prompt below establishes your tracking template on the first run. After that, use the check-in prompt each time you return. Claude will add each new entry to the running log and produce an updated synopsis from your full history — not just today's entries.
Step 1 — Start Your Journal (Run This Once)
Paste this prompt into a new Claude chat to set up your health tracking journal. You only do this once. After that, use the Check-In Prompt every time you return.
Journal Setup Prompt — Run Once in a New Chat
I want to set up a personal health tracking journal to monitor my symptoms, daily function, and mental health over time. I am a veteran managing service-connected health conditions and I want to build a running record I can use for VA care and claims documentation.
Please set up a health tracking log for me. Start by asking me the following, one at a time:
1. What conditions am I tracking? (List the ones I want to monitor)
2. What is my typical pain or symptom baseline on a good day — for each condition I listed?
3. What does a bad day look like for each condition?
4. Am I tracking mental health symptoms? If yes, what are the main ones I experience — nightmares, anxiety, anger, isolation, depression, or something else?
5. How often do I plan to check in — daily, every few days, or weekly?
After I answer those questions, create my personalized tracking template. The template should include:
- A condition-specific symptom section for each condition I listed, with my personal baseline noted
- A mental health section if I said yes
- A function section — what I was able to do versus what I could not do today
- A medications and side effects section
- A free journal entry space at the end for anything I want to add in my own words
Then confirm the template is ready and tell me to use the Check-In Prompt every time I come back.
Save the full template and my baseline information so you can reference it in every future check-in.
Step 2 — Daily or Regular Check-In (Use This Every Time You Return)
Copy this prompt and paste it into the same chat each time you check in. Claude will present you with quick multiple-choice questions, let you add your own detail, then update your running tracker and give you a summary of what your health picture looks like right now.
Journal Check-In Prompt — Use Every Time You Return
I am back for a health journal check-in. Today's date is [DATE].
Walk me through my check-in using the template we set up. For each section, give me multiple choice options I can answer quickly, plus an option to type my own answer. Do one section at a time and wait for my response before moving to the next.
Use this format for each question:
QUESTION: [What you are asking]
A) [Option]
B) [Option]
C) [Option]
D) [Option]
E) Type my own answer
After I finish all sections, do the following:
1. ADD TO TRACKER — Add today's entry to the running log with today's date. Keep all previous entries in the log so I can see the full history.
2. SYNOPSIS — Give me a plain-language summary in 3 to 5 sentences of what my health picture looks like right now based on recent entries. Write it the way a patient would explain it to a doctor — specific, clear, and honest. If something has gotten worse over the past several entries, say so. If there is a pattern I should be aware of, name it.
3. WHAT TO TELL MY DOCTOR — Based on what I have been tracking, give me 2 to 3 specific things I should bring up at my next VA appointment or send in a secure message. Write them as conversation starters I can use or send directly.
4. FLAG — If anything in my entries today suggests I should reach out to my provider before my next scheduled appointment, or if I describe something that sounds like a crisis, tell me that clearly before anything else.
Replace [DATE] with today's date before running.
What the Check-In Covers
Each check-in session walks through these sections with multiple choice questions and a free-entry option for each:
| Section | What It Tracks |
|---|
| Pain and Symptoms |
Pain level for each tracked condition (0–10 scale), location, character (sharp, burning, aching, pressure), and how it compares to baseline. Choices include common descriptions plus a write-in option. |
| Flares and Episodes |
Whether today was a flare day, what triggered it if known, how long it lasted, and what the peak severity was. Distinguishes flare days from baseline days automatically over time. |
| Function |
What activities were done, modified, or skipped because of symptoms. Options include driving, walking distances, sitting or standing duration, lifting, work tasks, household tasks, social activities, and write-in. |
| Sleep |
Hours of sleep, number of wake-ups, nightmares (yes/no and brief description if yes), how rested the veteran feels on waking. Quick radio-button style with a write-in option. |
| Mental Health |
Anxiety level, mood, anger or irritability, avoidance behaviors, ability to be around people, intrusive thoughts or flashbacks. Each tracked separately with a 0–4 scale matching PCL-5 format. |
| Medications |
Whether medications were taken as prescribed, any missed doses, and any side effects noticed today. Free-entry option for anything unusual. |
| Care and Appointments |
Any VA or provider contacts today — appointments, secure messages sent, calls made. Captures care activity as it happens rather than trying to reconstruct it later. |
| Free Journal Entry |
Open space for anything the veteran wants to add in their own words — what happened, how they felt, what they are worried about, what was good. No format required. This is theirs. |
Using the Journal for Care and Claims
Prompt — Turn My Journal Into a Symptom Report for My Provider
I want to use my health journal to create a symptom summary I can send to my VA provider or bring to my next appointment.
Look at my journal entries from the past [TIME PERIOD — week / two weeks / month].
Produce:
1. A symptom summary that describes my average day, my worst days, and any patterns or changes during this period — written in plain language I can read to my doctor or paste into a secure message
2. A subject line under 50 characters for a secure message version
3. A list of the 3 most important things my provider needs to know based on what the journal shows
Keep it honest. If things have been bad, say so. If there has been a pattern of worsening, name it clearly.
Replace [TIME PERIOD] before running.
Prompt — Turn My Journal Into a Lay Statement Supplement
I want to use my health journal entries to strengthen my VA lay statement for [CONDITION].
Review my journal entries and pull out:
1. The most specific examples of bad days, flares, and functional loss — with dates
2. Any patterns that show frequency and duration of my worst symptoms
3. Language from my own journal entries that I can use in a lay statement — in my own words, with my own details, dated
Then draft a supplemental paragraph or section I can add to an existing lay statement, or use as a standalone exhibit. It should read as my own testimony supported by my own dated records, not as a clinical document.
Replace [CONDITION] before running.
The journal is not just for bad days. Documenting a functional day — what you were able to do, at what cost, and how you felt afterward — is just as important as documenting a flare. The push-crash pattern (doing more today causes worse symptoms tomorrow) only shows up in the record if both the activity and the crash are documented. Track both.
Prompt — Follow-Up Secure Message Based on Journal Patterns
This prompt turns patterns your journal has found into a targeted secure message to your VA provider. Not a general update — a specific, evidence-based communication about what your tracked data shows, what it means clinically, and what you need from your provider as a result.
Prompt — Journal Pattern to Secure Message
Review my health journal entries from the past [TIME PERIOD — week / two weeks / month] and identify any significant patterns.
Look for:
- Worsening trends — conditions that have been consistently worse than baseline over this period
- Flare patterns — increased frequency, duration, or severity compared to earlier entries
- Sleep deterioration — worsening over time, not just a bad night
- Functional loss — activities I have stopped doing or done less frequently
- Mental health trends — anxiety, mood, or PTSD symptom escalation over multiple entries
- Push-crash cycles — entries where increased activity was followed by documented worsening
- Medication concerns — entries noting reduced effectiveness or side effects
For each significant pattern you identify:
1. Describe the pattern in plain language with dates and data from my entries
2. Tell me whether this pattern is clinically significant — something a provider should know about
3. Tell me what it suggests I might need: a medication review, a referral, imaging, an earlier appointment, or documentation for a claim
Then draft a secure message to my VA provider that:
- Summarizes the most important pattern in 2 to 3 sentences with specific dates and numbers from my journal
- States clearly what I am asking for as a result of this pattern
- Is written to be read in under 2 minutes and acted on without a follow-up question
Also produce a subject line under 50 characters in the format: Symptom Pattern Update - [Condition or Date Range]
Replace [TIME PERIOD] before running.
Your care and your claims are the same ecosystem. Every specialist visit, every secure message, every imaging study, every documented symptom goes into the same Blue Button report that a C&P examiner reads and a rater evaluates. The better your care record, the stronger your claims. The higher your rating, the more care you qualify for.
Prompt — Monthly Care and Claims Check-In
I want to do a monthly check-in to make sure my VA care is building my claims record the way it should.
Review my memory file and ask me:
1. What VA appointments did I have this month and was anything important documented?
2. Did I send any secure messages about my symptoms? If not, is there anything I should document now?
3. Are there any referrals I am waiting on that have not come through?
4. Have my symptoms changed — anything worse, anything new?
5. Is there any upcoming claim deadline or exam I need to be preparing for?
After my answers, tell me:
- Whether my care activity this month built my record or left gaps
- What one thing I should do before next month's check-in to strengthen either my care or my claims
See the VA Claims Builder for the full set of prompts covering claim development, lay statements, C&P exam preparation, and long-term strategy. The two guides are designed to be used together — claims without care documentation is a weaker case, and care without a claims strategy leaves compensation on the table.
This guide has a natural order — secure messaging builds the record, appointments use that record, referrals and mental health deepen it, and the journal ties it all together over time. But you may have started in the middle, skipped a section, or come back after a long break. This prompt figures out where you are and gets you moving again without starting over.
Get Back on Track Prompt
I have been using the VA Care Guide but I got off track or I am not sure where I am. Help me figure out where I stand and what to do next.
Ask me the following questions, one at a time:
A) What is your current situation with VA healthcare?
1. I am enrolled and actively receiving VA care
2. I am enrolled but I do not use it much
3. I am not enrolled yet
4. I use a mix of VA and private care
B) Are you currently sending secure messages to your VA providers?
1. Yes — regularly
2. Occasionally, but not consistently
3. No — I did not know I could or should
4. I tried once but did not get a response
C) Do you have a primary care provider at the VA?
1. Yes and I see them regularly
2. Yes but I rarely go
3. No — I do not have one assigned
4. I have one but I am not happy with the care
D) Are you currently receiving mental health care through the VA?
1. Yes — I have a therapist and/or psychiatrist
2. I was but I stopped going
3. No — I have not started
4. I do not think I need it but I am not sure
E) What do you most need help with right now?
1. Writing a secure message to my provider about something going on
2. Preparing for an upcoming VA appointment
3. Getting a referral to a specialist
4. Starting or getting back into mental health care
5. Setting up my health tracking journal
6. Understanding what benefits I may be missing
7. I just need to know where to start with this guide
After I answer all five questions, tell me:
1. Where I am in the care management process based on my answers
2. The most important gap to address first — and why
3. The specific section and prompt in this guide I should run right now
4. One thing I should do this week that would make the biggest difference to my health record and my claims
About VeteranUnlocked — Read Before You Begin
VeteranUnlocked does not collect, store, or retain any of your personal information. We do not ask for your name, your Social Security number, your VA file number, your medical records, or any other identifying information. We never will. There is no account. There is no database. Nothing you do on this site is saved here.
The information you share goes directly into your Claude AI session — between you and Anthropic's platform — and stays there. VeteranUnlocked has no access to it. Review Anthropic's privacy policy at anthropic.com/privacy.
These guides are free. The prompts are free. The frameworks are free. They are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC). No one is permitted to charge veterans for access to this content. If someone is selling these guides or the prompts inside them, they are in violation of the license.
This is not legal advice. This is not medical advice. VeteranUnlocked is an educational resource built by a veteran to help other veterans navigate the VA system using AI tools. VA claims decisions are made by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Medical decisions are made between you and your providers.
Claude can make mistakes. Every document it produces should be reviewed by you for accuracy before you submit it to the VA, share it with your VSO or attorney, or send it to a provider. You are responsible for the accuracy of what you file.
VeteranUnlocked is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Anthropic, or any VSO or claims organization. What we are is a veteran who figured this out and decided to share it. Use it, verify it, work with your VSO, and get what you earned.