Just to be clear-even if I believe the FAA doesnt access VA records doesn't mean you shouldn't be honest because your ex-wife, neighbor, co-worker, ex-friend will turn you in.

"The FAA has access to all federal records"

Rick, to clarify: what you said above is false. Would you agree?

For the NDR check you see the following BUT you don't see this for the disability block:
20 Applicant's National Driver Register and Certifying Declarations:
I hereby authorize the National Driver Register (NDR), through a designated State Department of Motor Vehicles, to furnish to the FAA information pertaining to my driving record. This consent constitutes authorization for a single access to the information contained in the NDR to verify information provided in this application. Upon my request, the FAA shall make the information received from the NDR, if any, available for my review and written comment. Authority: 23 U.S. Code 401.

I remember about 4 years ago a couple SWA pilots were charged (not sure of the outcome) on filing for VA disability (100%) and then not disclosing this on the FAA medicals. I'm not sure how they figured this out... but they must be able to crosscheck VA disability with FAA medical data...

To jump into the middle of this --

I think everyone on this thread is missing the point. It is not about the VA and FAA, it is about a national drive to have all of your medical history accessible. The goal is honorable, from helping the person who shows up unconscious in the ER to protecting from drug interactions. And since it will also save a lot of organizations a lot of money this is coming sooner rather than later. It is a major, major push in the medical field.

Before I retire I fully expect the FAA to be accessing my medical history just like they access the National Drivers Register. And I am about to turn 59. The technology is almost here, and all it will then take is one sensational incident.

Your medical history and your FAA MedXpress inputs had better line up. And by "line up" I don't mean by pilot pretzel logic, but line up in the eyes of an FAA lawyer.

This is the issue. The only barrier is your permission, and the FAA setting up the software. Eventually you will grant permission when you sign the 8500. I suspect the FAA will ultimately setup automated software screening of your digital records. Who knows how far back they will go? Maybe they'll be nice and give fair warning, and only search after that point. Or maybe they'll just let their software go fishing.

I had hours to kill at the airport today.

I did find numerous cases of “dot oig” busting pilots for lying on faa medical/not reporting conditions they were receiving va benefits for.

Sorry for implying otherwise