VA officials to begin new efforts to explore health consequences of service in Vietnam Published Sept. 14, 2009 WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced plans Sept. 14 to begin additional research to better understand the health consequences of service in Vietnam. "The National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study will allow VA to pursue another valuable research tool," Secretary Shinseki said. "The insight we gain from this study will help give us an understanding of how to better serve America's Veterans." The NVVLS will enable researchers to study the Vietnam generation's physical and psychological health. The new study will supplement research already underway at VA, including studies on post-traumatic stress disorder and on the health of women Vietnam Veterans. This is a follow-up study to a previous one that concluded in 1988. VA officials have begun work to solicit bids to conduct the study, which is expected to run from 2011 through 2013.