Legal Help for Veterans Attorney James Fausone Discusses VA’s Plan to Roll Out Federal Electronic Health Record System in Michigan

Northville, Michigan – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced early-stage planning to deploy the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system to four Michigan VA facilities—Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, and Saginaw—by mid-2026. This rollout follows an extended pause in deployments to address critical issues within the system, improving functionality and Veteran trust.

Attorney James Fausone of Legal Help for Veterans emphasized the significance of this development, particularly for Michigan Veterans relying on VA benefits and health care. “An effective and reliable EHR system is crucial for Veterans who depend on VA medical care, disability compensation, and service-connected benefits,” Fausone stated. “Any improvements that enhance record accuracy and streamline claims processing will directly impact the speed and quality of care Veterans receive.”

How the Federal EHR System Impacts Michigan Veterans

The Federal EHR system is designed to modernize and unify medical records across VA and Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, allowing for seamless transitions in care and more efficient claims processing. For Michigan Veterans who rely on VA hospitals and clinics, the system’s expansion could mean:

• Faster access to medical records for disability claims and appeals;
• Improved care coordination between VA and private providers; and
• More accurate documentation of service-connected injuries and conditions.

Veterans seeking service connection for disabilities must demonstrate a direct link between their condition and military service. A well-maintained electronic health record system can ensure that medical history, service-related injuries, and treatment plans are properly documented, making the claims process smoother and reducing unnecessary denials.

VA’s Improvements to the EHR System Before the Michigan Rollout

Before expanding the system to Michigan facilities, the VA took a strategic pause to address ongoing issues. Over the past 18 months, the VA has listened to Veteran concerns, refined the system’s functionality, and held Oracle Health accountable for performance improvements. As a result, several key enhancements have been made, including:

• Increased Veteran trust in VA health care. Outpatient trust scores at facilities using the system have climbed significantly, with notable increases at locations such as Columbus, VA (93%), Walla Walla, VA (88%), and Mann-Grandstaff, VA (92%). These improvements indicate growing confidence in the VA’s ability to deliver quality care.
• Reduced system outages. The Federal EHR system now operates with near-constant uptime, avoiding the technical failures that previously disrupted medical care. Since January 2024, the system has functioned at 100% capacity for 10 of the last 16 months and maintained a 99.8% or better performance in all other months.

“These upgrades are promising, but Veterans need to remain vigilant,” Fausone cautioned. “The success of this rollout depends on continued oversight and advocacy to ensure the system works as intended for Michigan Veterans.”

The Connection Between Medical Records and VA Benefit Claims

Beyond medical treatment, the Federal EHR system is critical in VA benefit claims. Veterans applying for disability compensation, pension benefits, or service-connected health care must rely on accurate and accessible medical records to support their claims. Delays, missing records, or system errors could mean longer wait times, incorrect benefit determinations, or unnecessary denials.

For Veterans struggling with denied claims, the accuracy of medical records is often a key factor in securing an appeal. Without complete documentation of medical history, ongoing treatment, and service-related conditions, Veterans may face difficulties proving their eligibility for compensation.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC assists Veterans in navigating these challenges, ensuring their medical records reflect the necessary evidence to support their claims. “When records are missing or incomplete, it can be the difference between approval and denial,” Fausone said. “This new system has the potential to improve claims processing, but only if it is implemented effectively.”

Potential Risks and Challenges for Michigan Veterans

While the EHR rollout in Michigan promises benefits, Veterans should remain aware of potential risks:

• Technical issues and implementation setbacks. Despite VA’s improvements, any large-scale system deployment carries the risk of glitches, data migration errors, or delays.
• Privacy and security concerns. A digital system handling sensitive health records must have robust cybersecurity protections to prevent breaches or unauthorized access.
• Adjustment periods for VA staff. Clinicians and administrative personnel will need proper training to ensure a smooth transition and minimize errors that could impact patient care and claims processing.

“This rollout could make health care and benefits more efficient, but Veterans must understand their rights and take action if problems arise,” Fausone said. “Our firm is here to help Michigan Veterans ensure that their records are accurate, their benefits are protected, and their health care remains uninterrupted.” Veterans should stay informed about how the rollout may affect their medical care and benefit applications. Legal assistance may be necessary to correct discrepancies and appeal unjust benefit denials if errors arise in medical records or service connections.

Veterans who have questions about their benefits or how they can ensure they receive the correct amount of benefits should reach out to an experienced veterans’ benefits lawyer for immediate assistance. Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC, is a Michigan-based veteran benefit law firm that concentrates only on legal issues affecting veterans, including service-connected benefits.