As a Federal agency, according to the Privacy Act, we are obliged to protect the privacy of veterans' personal information. Therefore, VA cannot release personal information about a veteran in our records system without that person's permission. We can, however, forward a message from you to the veteran, providing the veteran has filed a claim with VA and we have an address on record.

Please write your message and place it in an unsealed, stamped envelope. Also include a note to VA explaining who it is you are trying to reach and add as much identifying information as you have. Place all of this in another envelope addressed to the nearest U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office (you can find the address at Facilities Directory or in the "blue" pages of your telephone book).

If the veteran is in our records, your message to the veteran will be sealed and the envelop addressed to the address we have on file for the veteran. The veteran may not have informed us of a change of address. Furthermore, it is then up to the veteran to contact you. If you have questions, you can reach the regional office via phone at 1-800-827-1000. This process is designed to protect the privacy of our veterans as required by law.