Blue Button Notes

This was contributed by one of our fellow vets.

I was just rated 100% P&T, PTSD.

It is important to know, as said, that the Claims side and the Clinic side are two entities. When I filed my intent to file, (because of all the denials, I had to go dig up things). I retired in 2004. I started the process in 2018.

Get a VSO who deals with mostly MST claims. I was lucky to have his help.

When you’ve registered with VA.gov and My Healthevet, this is very helpful: The Blue Button notes side of My HealtheVet was a very important tool I used to get rated.

ALL calls to the Crisis Line and all calls to any VA offices are transcribed in this section! I used mine, showing the toll MST and the filing process was taking on my health. I uploaded them to the VA.gov side to support my claim.

As I was gathering evidence, let me point out I was living with undiagnosed PTSD due to MST. I hadn’t been seen much by medical people while in, even less so after my retirement.

I scheduled an appointment at the VA mental health clinic. They assessed me with PTSD due to MST. Again, the whole session was in my NOTES on the My HealtheVet side… So I uploaded it to support my claim on the VA.gov site.

THIS WAS IMPORTANT… As of now, I have established that I have this condition. Now, the C&P was only to determine the severity; not prove the service connection. I believe this tactic can be helpful to others. If you agree, please share.

What Data is Available?

The concept emerged in 2010, aimed at enabling more direct consumer access to personal health information by adding a ‘Download My Data’ button to patient portal systems. VA developed the Blue Button capability in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Department of Defense, along with the Markle Foundation’s Consumer Engagement Workgroup. VA’s Blue Button feature was launched in August 2010. Since then, the Blue Button has spread beyond VA to other government agencies and the private sector. Responsibility for encouraging the broader use of Blue Button and enhancing its technical standards was transferred to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, in 2012.

Self-entered data:

  • Demographic Information
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Health Care Providers
  • Health Insurance
  • Treatment Facilities
  • Medical Conditions and Personal Medical History
  • Medications, Herbals, and Supplements
  • Allergies and Adverse Reactions
  • Lab and Test Results
  • Immunizations
  • Vitals and Readings
  • Family Health History (Self and Relatives)
  • Military Health History
  • Health Data (blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, etc.)
  • My Goals: Current Goals and Completed Goals

Data from the VA Electronic Health Record:

  • VA Admissions and Discharges
  • VA Allergies
  • VA Appointments (future)
  • VA Appointments (past 2 years)
  • VA Demographics
  • VA Electrocardiogram (EKG) List of studies
  • VA Immunizations
  • VA Laboratory Results: Chemistry/Hematology/Microbiology
  • VA Notes (from 01 Jan 2013 forward)
  • VA Pathology Reports: Surgical Pathology, Cytology, Electron Microscopy
  • VA Problem List
  • VA Radiology Reports
  • VA Vitals and Readings
  • VA Wellness Reminders

Data from the Department of Defense:

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