> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.valaclaims.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ask Vala

> Ask focused questions across available records and verify answers against sources.

## Overview

Ask Vala is a research aid for asking questions across a Client's available records.

## When to use

Use it to investigate a focused question, locate relevant record context, or follow up on a reviewed finding.

## Prerequisites

* The correct Client record
* The relevant records available in Vala
* A specific question or review goal
* AI enabled for your organization

## Step-by-step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Ask a focused question">Include the condition, time period, event, or document type you are investigating.</Step>
  <Step title="Review the cited sources">Open the underlying pages and read the surrounding context.</Step>
  <Step title="Refine the question">Ask a follow-up when the record is incomplete, ambiguous, or inconsistent.</Step>
  <Step title="Use only verified findings">Confirm important information independently before carrying it into other work.</Step>
</Steps>

## Sources and citations

Review cited sources in their original context. A cited source helps you investigate an answer, but it does not replace your own review or professional judgment.

## Best practices

* Ask one clear question at a time.
* Include useful context in the prompt.
* Verify material facts and conclusions against source records.

## Common mistakes

<Warning>
  AI can miss information or interpret a record incorrectly. Do not rely on a response without reviewing the source.
</Warning>

* Asking broad questions without context
* Reading only the answer and not the citations
* Treating generated language as legal or professional advice

## Related pages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Documents" icon="folder-open" href="/core-workflows/documents">Review the underlying records.</Card>
  <Card title="Client record" icon="user" href="/veteran-records/create-a-veteran">Return to the Client record.</Card>
</CardGroup>