Submission Information

JVRSA publishes original, scholarly work focused on veteran health, trauma, disability, justice involvement, and institutional accountability. Submissions must be methodologically sound, ethically compliant, and relevant to systems affecting veterans and their families.

Manuscripts must not be under consideration elsewhere.

• Original empirical research
• Systematic or scoping reviews
• Policy or legal analysis
• Program evaluation and outcomes research
• Case studies (with appropriate safeguards)
• Brief reports or field research
• Data-informed commentary

Style Guide

• APA Style (7th Edition) is required for all submissions
• In limited cases (legal analysis), Chicago or Bluebook citations may be accepted with prior approval

Manuscript Length

• Research articles: 5,000–8,000 words (excluding references)
• Reviews & policy analyses: 4,000–7,000 words
• Brief reports: 2,500–3,500 words
• Commentaries: 1,500–3,000 words

Document Format

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
• Double-spaced
• 12-point Times New Roman
• 1-inch margins
• Page numbers included
• Left-aligned text (no justification)

To preserve double-blind review, submit a separate title page containing:

• Manuscript title
• Author name(s) and credentials
• Institutional affiliation(s)
• Corresponding author contact information
• Funding sources
• Conflict of interest disclosures
• IRB approval or exemption statement

The main manuscript must contain no identifying information.

• Abstract: 150–250 words
• Keywords: 3–6 keywords
• Abstract should include:
  • Purpose
  • Methods
  • Key findings
  • Implications for systems accountability or reform

Use APA-level headings as appropriate, typically:

• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• Implications for Policy or Practice
• Limitations
• Conclusion

• Place tables and figures at the end of the manuscript or embedded near first mention
• Number consecutively and title according to APA style
• Authors are responsible for permissions and copyright compliance
• Appendices should be clearly labeled and referenced in text

All manuscripts involving human subjects must include:

• Name of the reviewing IRB
• Approval or exemption number (if applicable)
• Statement of informed consent procedures
• Description of participant protections

Studies involving veterans, trauma-exposed populations, or justice-involved individuals must demonstrate trauma-informed safeguards.

Use of the CSI IRB is permitted but not required.

IRB review is independent of editorial decisions.

Authors must disclose:

• Financial or institutional conflicts
• Funding sources
• Affiliations that may influence interpretation

Disclosures appear in the published article.

• Double-blind peer review
• Reviewers unaffiliated with authors, funding entities, or IRB
• Editorial decisions based on:
  • Methodological rigor
  • Ethical compliance
  • Contribution to the field
  • Relevance to systems accountability

• Authors retain copyright
• CSI receives first publication rights
• Articles may be distributed under a Creative Commons license (to be specified)

Submit manuscripts to: publishing@combathelp.com 

Include:

• Main blinded manuscript
• Separate title page
• IRB documentation (if applicable)

At launch, no submission or publication fees are required.

Future article processing charges (APCs), if any, will be transparently disclosed.

Final editorial decisions rest with the JVRSA Editorial Board, operating independently of CSI donors, IRB operations, and external agencies.