Veterans Desk — Advertising & Testimonials Guidelines Acknowledgement
Document ID: Veterans Desk, Inc.: Advertising & Testimonials Guidelines Acknowledgement: v1.0
Effective Date: 11.16.2025
Contact: providers@veteransdesk.org
Veterans Desk, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ("VA") or any government agency.
This Acknowledgement outlines the minimum expectations for Providers who advertise their services or appear in Veterans Desk-related educational content, including websites, social media, podcasts, and print materials. It does not provide legal advice; you remain responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and board rules governing your practice.
1. Scope & Compliance
By signing this Acknowledgement, you agree to:
1.1 Follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and professional board rules governing advertising, endorsements, and telehealth (where applicable), including any special rules related to medical cannabis and complementary/integrative care.
1.2 Follow all advertising and solicitation rules issued by your professional licensing board(s), including restrictions on claims, titles, comparative statements, and telehealth/virtual care promotions.
1.3 Comply with all applicable consumer protection and unfair/deceptive practice standards (including FTC endorsement and testimonial guidelines, where applicable).
1.4 Seek your own legal or compliance advice as needed. Veterans Desk does not provide legal, tax, or regulatory advice.
2. Truthful, Non-Misleading Advertising
You agree that all advertising and promotional content you create or approve that references Veterans Desk or is directed to Veterans Desk's audience will:
2.1 Be truthful, accurate, and not misleading by omission or implication.
2.2 Avoid guarantees, promises of specific outcomes, "cure" language, or statements that overstate expected benefits.
2.3 Be supported by appropriate evidence or widely accepted clinical practice where claims about benefits or outcomes are made.
2.4 Stay within the scope of your license and training; you will not represent services that you are not authorized or qualified to provide.
2.5 Avoid implying that any specific treatment is endorsed, funded, covered, or recommended by the VA, the U.S. government, or Veterans Desk, unless a clear, documented program expressly allows such statements.
3. Testimonials, Reviews & Endorsements
For any testimonials, reviews, endorsements, or case examples you use in connection with Veterans Desk or its audience, you agree that:
3.1 Testimonials must be based on real experiences from actual patients/clients or other individuals, used with their valid consent and in compliance with applicable privacy and professional rules.
3.2 You will not fabricate, purchase, or materially distort testimonials, reviews, or endorsements.
3.3 If a testimonial describes results that are not typical, you will include clear, appropriate context (for example, that individual results vary or that the outcome is not guaranteed).
3.4 You will disclose any material connections between you and the person giving a testimonial or endorsement (for example, family relationship, employee status, discounted/free services, paid promotion, or other financial incentives).
3.5 You will not disclose Protected Health Information (PHI) or personally identifiable information in violation of HIPAA or other privacy laws when using testimonials or case examples. De-identification must be robust enough to prevent individuals from being reasonably recognizable.
3.6 You will promptly correct or remove testimonials or endorsements that Veterans Desk reasonably believes are inaccurate, misleading, or non-compliant with these guidelines.
4. Education vs. Promotion & Required Disclaimers
You agree to:
4.1 Clearly distinguish education from promotion. Educational content should be presented as general information, rather than individualized medical, legal, or benefits advice.
4.2 Use plain-language disclaimers where appropriate, such as:
- "For educational purposes only; not medical or legal advice."
- "Does not create a provider–patient relationship."
4.3 Avoid suggesting that Veterans Desk or any government agency has endorsed, certified, or guaranteed you, your services, or any products, unless you are explicitly authorized in writing to use such terms.
4.4 When discussing medical cannabis or other state-regulated treatments, avoid implying that the VA or any federal program covers, supplies, or endorses such treatments, unless this is clearly and accurately supported by current policy and law.
5. Use of Veterans Desk Name, Logos & Brand
You understand and agree that:
5.1 You may accurately describe your relationship with Veterans Desk factually (for example, "listed in the Veterans Desk provider directory" or "participating in Veterans Desk educational programs"). Still, you may not present yourself as an employee, agent, partner, or representative of Veterans Desk.
5.2 You will not use Veterans Desk's logos, trademarks, or other branding without Veterans Desk's prior written permission, except as permitted in any separate written brand or media guidelines.
5.3 You will not state or imply that Veterans Desk has clinically evaluated or approved your treatments, outcomes, or marketing materials.
6. Digital, Social Media & Third-Party Platforms
You agree that these guidelines apply to all formats and platforms, including but not limited to:
6.1 Websites, blogs, email campaigns, online directories, and landing pages.
6.2 Social media posts, stories, live streams, podcasts, videos, webinars, and comments.
6.3 Paid advertisements and sponsored content.
You further agree to follow each platform's own advertising and endorsement rules and to address any flagged or reported issues promptly.
7. Monitoring, Cooperation & Consequences
You understand and agree that:
7.1 Veterans Desk may request copies or examples of your advertising and testimonial materials that reference Veterans Desk or target Veterans Desk-related audiences, and you will provide such materials within a reasonable time.
7.2 Veterans Desk may request that you modify, clarify, or discontinue specific advertising, testimonials, or promotional statements that Veterans Desk reasonably believes are non-compliant with these guidelines, applicable law, or Veterans Desk's mission.
7.3 Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in corrective action within Veterans Desk's discretion, up to and including removal from the Veterans Desk directory, revocation of badges or listings, suspension of access to Veterans Desk programs, or termination of related agreements, consistent with applicable policies and contracts.
8. Reporting Concerns
You agree to:
8.1 Promptly report to Veterans Desk (providers@veteransdesk.org) any significant errors, misleading statements, or policy concerns you identify in your own or others' Veterans Desk-related advertising or testimonials.
8.2 Cooperate in good faith with Veterans Desk's efforts to investigate and resolve such concerns.
Provider Acknowledgement
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to comply with the Veterans Desk — Advertising & Testimonials Guidelines Acknowledgement. I am aware that I am independently responsible for ensuring that my advertising and use of testimonials abide by all applicable laws, regulations, and professional rules, and that this document does not constitute legal advice.