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VA Continuity of Care Document (VA CCD)

CCD stands for Continuity of Care Document. This is a standard electronic exchange document. It is used for sharing patient information between computer systems.

VA CCD stands for VA Continuity of Care Document. This contains health information that comes from your VA health record. The VA CCD makes it possible to share a summary of your VA health information with non-VA health care computer systems. It allows for other applications (e.g., web browsers and electronic health systems) to read a summary of your VA health information.

At this time, you can get your VA CCD information in two file formats:

Please note: When you open or download a PDF file, a temporary file is created on the computer. Others may then be able to view your personal health information. There is a risk of exposing your information when you download a PDF file, especially on public or shared computers.

  • Adobe PDF file format: download your information in Adobe PDF format (.pdf) which is easy to read and print. You will be able to view and print it before saving the file. If needed, you can obtain a free copy of the Adobe Reader for PDF files at the VA Viewer Software page.

  • XML file format: download your information in an XML file format (.xml). To view your VA CCD .xml file, you may also need to download the XML Style Sheet*, and place both files in the same folder on your computer. If needed, you can obtain a free copy of the XML Style Sheet.

*Some computer applications are not able to open a document that is in an .xml format. You may want to use our XML Style Sheet to read the information in your VA CCD.

If you open the XML Style Sheet, the content is coded in .xml mark-up language, which is not in a readable format. The XML style sheet is a companion to your VA CCD .xml file and intended to be downloaded into the same folder on your computer or flash drive. To begin:

  • Select the XML Style Sheet and save it to a folder on your computer.

  • Then download your VA CCD .xml file to the same folder.

  • When you open your VA CCD .xml file in this folder it may be readable.

Note: Using the XML Style Sheet to view the .xml file may not work in some browser versions. You can also read the same information in the .PDF format of your VA CCD.

XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language

  • It uses computer language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents

  • It was designed to transport and store data, not to display data

  • It is the most common tool for data transmissions between all sorts of applications

  • It may or may not be human-readable (naturally read by humans) and machine-readable (read by a computer)

Use the VA Blue Button to download and save your VA CCD to a thumb drive and/or CD. This way you have it available, should you want to share it.

To be able to download your VA CCD you must:

  • Be a Veteran enrolled at a VA health care facility

  • Be registered as a VA Patient in My HealtheVet

  • Have a My HealtheVet Premium* account

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about:

  • VA Continuity of Care Document

  • Upgrading your account to Premium

  • And more...

To upgrade a My HealtheVet account to Premium, the Veteran will need to:

  • Be a VA patient and have an active My HealtheVet Advanced account

  • Accept the My HealtheVet Terms and Conditions (version 3) or the Terms and Conditions for Health on VA.gov (External 1.0)

  • Provide a primary government issued photo ID

  • Provide a secondary form of ID only when there is a discrepancy with their Primary ID (e.g. recent name change) and their VA record

Updated July 29, 2019