Veterans in the U.S. are now able to identify as transgender and and nonbinary in official medical records, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week. “All veterans, all people, have a basic right to be identified as they define themselves,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said in a statement. “This is essential for their general well-being and overall health. Knowing the gender identity of transgender and gender-diverse veterans helps us better serve them.” It also allows healthcare providers within the VA better understand the needs of their patients, he said. The VA last year began including gender identifiers in its medical record system, which now includes “transgender male,” “transgender female,” “non-binary,” “other,” or “does not wish to disclose” options. his support for transgender and LGBTQ+ veterans, and pledged to expand access to care for transgender vets, the Washington Post reported. McDonough at the time said he wants “transgender vets to go through the full gender confirmation process with VA by their side.” “We’re making these changes not only because they are the right thing to do, but because they can save lives,” he added.