VA Launches 3-Year Pilot Program for TBI/PTSD Therapy, Funded Solely by Donations

The Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act introduces a three-year pilot program to offer hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans dealing with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). HBOT, for the purposes of this law, means using an FDA-approved or investigational device to deliver the therapy. This isn’t a nationwide rollout; the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must select just two regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) to host the program, and treatment must occur at accredited medical facilities.

The HBOT Pilot: Exclusive Access, Unique Funding

This new therapy access is highly localized, meaning that if you’re a veteran with TBI or PTSD, whether you can even try this pilot program depends entirely on where you live. Only veterans in the two chosen VISNs will have access, which creates a significant access limitation for the vast majority of eligible veterans across the country. The bill is also very specific about how this is paid for: a new “VA HBOT Fund” is established, but it can only be filled by donations specifically designated for this pilot program. This reliance on voluntary donations creates a potential financial bottleneck, raising questions about how many veterans can actually be served if the donations dry up or fall short.

Keeping Tabs on the Science

Beyond the pilot program, the bill mandates a critical check-in on the research. No later than one year after enactment, the Comptroller General (GAO) must update a report they initially published back in 2015. This new report needs to assess all clinical trials related to HBOT for TBI and PTSD that have been conducted by the VA, the Department of Defense (DoD), and private organizations since that 2015 baseline. For anyone concerned about evidence-based care, this section (SEC. 3) is important because it forces an official review of the latest data before the pilot program wraps up, ensuring the VA gets a current picture of the treatment’s effectiveness.

The Fine Print on Pension Payments

Section 4 of the Act addresses veteran benefits, specifically extending existing limits on certain pension payments. These limits, which govern how much pension money can be paid under specific circumstances, were set to expire on November 30, 2031. This bill pushes that deadline back by roughly three years, extending the existing limitations until October 30, 2034. While this ensures continuity in the current benefits structure, it also means that any veteran who might have been counting on those specific payment limits being lifted in late 2031 will now have to wait longer. For those relying on the current rules, this extension effectively keeps the status quo in place for a few more years.