Welcome to the Black Hills Health Care System (BHHCS) for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members.  We honor the opportunity to provide benefits information and assistance to eligible veterans who fought and served in our Nation's armed forces.

Returning from War
The newest patients to the VA have been returning combat soldiers, men and women who served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (OEF/OIF). In a recent study, Dr. Karen Seal and colleagues at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and USC, reviewed  records for over 100,000 veterans,  who separated from active duty between 2001-2005 and sought care from VA medical facilities.   The most common combination of diagnoses found was post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Young soldiers were three times as likely as those over 40 to be diagnosed with PTSD and/or another mental health disorder. Most mental health problems were first identified during visits with primary care doctors, not with mental health professionals.

Getting help early can prevent PTSD and other problems from becoming chronic.  VA is expanding counseling and mental health services to meet the needs of the returning veterans and provide early treatment.   For more information on PTSD and its treatment, please visit the National Center for PTSD.

Questions??
If you need assistance, there are several ways to contact the VA:

• The OEF/OIF Coordinator for the Black Hills Health Care System can be reached at (605) 745-2000, extension 2176.
• Contact the Black Hills Health Care System by using the toll free numbers:  Fort Meade at 1-800-743-1070 or Hot Springs at 1-800-764-5370.
• Contact the VA