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Research

Westlaw

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Product description

Westlaw is a web-based service for conducting legal research. The platform provides a comprehensive collection of legal resources including cases, regulations, and outcomes. Westlaw uses the Key Numbering System which is the most widely used system for case law indexing. Headnotes is a useful Westlaw feature that provides a consolidated summary of the laws referenced in a case. The platform’s advanced search capabilities improve the user experience and effectiveness of searches. The KeyCite feature helps users verify if cases, statues, and other legal authorities are still valid/applicable for their search.

How we use Westlaw at VA

The Veterans Benefits Administration uses the product to help teams within Compensation Services improve the efficiency of legal research. The tool provides the ability to research policies, procedures, and previous court cases. The legal research combined with statistical data is essential to quickly determining eligibility and reducing the timeline associated with providing veterans access to critical services.

No VA Data

For SaaS products that do not contain VA-owned data*, there is now an expedited process that does not require a traditional VA authority to operate (ATO). Criteria include the following:

  • User owns a device (even if VA paid for the purchase of the device) such as a CPAP or glucometer that uses a SaaS product to share patient data (non-VA data*).
  • SaaS product has no direct connections or interfaces to VA systems or network.
  • Users consent to share their data (which may include PII and PHI) directly with the SaaS provider.
  • SaaS providers must have published terms and conditions for user consent.
  • VA providers access data in a view-only mode or with limited functionality per the user’s consent.

*According to Circular a130, anything that VA creates, collects, processes, maintains, disseminates, or disposes of by or for the federal government is considered federal information (VA data).

VA providers may not enter any VA information into this product; it must adhere to no VA data standards mentioned above.

The next step

If VA employees would like to use or purchase this previously approved service, please submit a SaaS inquiry form to confirm your use case and get procurement approval.

Submit a Request
Visit the Thomson Reuters website for more information.
  • Status: Approved
  • VA Authorization Level: No VA Data
  • Funding: End-user funding required
  • Product Line: Benefits Integration and Administration

  • VA Authorization Level: No VA Data

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Link Disclaimer

This page includes links to other websites outside our control and jurisdiction. VA is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of non-VA Web sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.

Statement of Endorsement

Reference herein to any specific commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.