Does the VA cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

The VA covers HBOT only for FDA-approved indications — diabetic wounds, CO poisoning, radiation injury, and others — at VA facilities that have hyperbaric chambers. The VA does not currently cover HBOT for PTSD or TBI.

Is HBOT covered for PTSD or TBI under the VA?

No. As of 2026, the VA does not cover HBOT for PTSD or TBI. Multiple bills have been introduced in Congress to change this, but none have passed. Veterans seeking HBOT for these conditions must pay out of pocket, pursue clinical trials, or find nonprofit assistance.

How much does HBOT cost for veterans paying out of pocket?

A typical 60-session protocol for TBI or PTSD costs $15,000 to $27,000 at private clinics. Some veteran-focused nonprofits offer subsidized sessions. Search for HBOT veteran grant programs to find current options.

What does the research say about HBOT for PTSD?

Gottlieb et al. (2024) published a randomized controlled trial showing significant PTSD symptom reduction with 60 sessions of HBOT at 2.0 ATA. The study was conducted in Israel. The VA has not adopted this protocol.

HBOT for Veterans: VA Coverage, PTSD, TBI, and What’s Available Now

The research on HBOT for PTSD and TBI has advanced considerably. The VA’s coverage policy hasn’t. That gap leaves a lot of veterans paying out of pocket — or going without.

Here’s the current picture.

What the VA Actually Covers

The VA covers HBOT for the same FDA-approved indications as Medicare. That includes diabetic wounds, carbon monoxide poisoning, radiation injury, chronic refractory osteomyelitis, and about a dozen other conditions. If a veteran has one of those conditions and a VA facility with a hyperbaric chamber, coverage applies.

The problem is that many VA facilities don’t have HBOT chambers. Veterans may be referred to outside facilities when medically necessary, but that process isn’t uniform. If your VA doesn’t have a chamber and won’t authorize a referral, you’ll need to push through your care team.

For TBI and PTSD specifically: the VA does not cover HBOT for either condition. Period. This isn’t a paperwork issue or a pre-authorization gap. It’s a coverage exclusion.

The Legislative Push

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced multiple times to require the VA to cover HBOT for veterans with TBI or PTSD. The Hyperbaric and Normobaric Oxygen Research Act has drawn support from both parties. As of early 2026, no bill has passed.

The Department of Defense has funded HBOT research through DVBIC (Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center) and related programs. That research contributed to the body of evidence. But DoD-funded research doesn’t automatically change VA coverage rules.

Nine states, as of 2024-2025, have passed laws mandating HBOT coverage for veterans with TBI or PTSD through state employee health plans or Medicaid. These laws vary significantly. Not every veteran qualifies under state programs, and access depends entirely on where you live. Check your state’s veterans affairs office for current program details.

What the Research Found

Gottlieb et al. (2024) conducted a randomized controlled trial of HBOT for PTSD. The protocol used 60 sessions at 2.0 ATA at a facility in Israel. The trial found significant reductions in PTSD symptom scores compared to sham control. This is meaningful data. (PMID: 38748905)

For TBI, multiple smaller trials have shown improvements in cognitive function and symptom burden. The evidence is promising enough that legislators keep introducing bills. It’s not strong enough yet for the VA to have moved on coverage.

Both TBI and PTSD are off-label uses of HBOT. That matters for cost and access.

What Veterans Can Do Now

Clinical trials are the first thing worth checking. ClinicalTrials.gov lists active HBOT studies. Some enroll veterans specifically. You won’t pay for treatment in a trial, and you’ll contribute to the research that may eventually change VA policy.

Private pay is the other path. A 60-session protocol at a private clinic typically costs $15,000 to $27,000. That’s a real barrier for most veterans. Some clinics offer payment plans or reduced rates for veterans — worth asking directly.

Nonprofit assistance exists. Some veteran-focused nonprofits provide subsidized HBOT sessions or grants to cover treatment costs. Search for “HBOT veteran grant programs” to find current options. Don’t pay a middleman to find these — the programs themselves don’t charge veterans.

If your VA has a hyperbaric physician on staff, getting a referral and a conversation with that physician is worth doing regardless. Even if coverage for TBI/PTSD isn’t available, they may know about current trials or local resources.

Navigating the VA Referral Process

Veterans who need HBOT for an FDA-approved condition (a diabetic wound, for example) and whose VA facility lacks a chamber should request a community care referral. The MISSION Act expanded community care eligibility. If your VA can’t provide a service within certain drive-time or wait-time thresholds, you may qualify for care at a non-VA facility covered by the VA.

This process takes time. Start it early. Document everything.

FAQ

Does community care cover HBOT for TBI through the VA? Only if the VA has authorized HBOT for your specific condition. Community care doesn’t expand what conditions are covered — it only changes where care is provided. TBI and PTSD remain excluded regardless of whether the care happens at a VA or community facility.

Is there any VA HBOT coverage for mild TBI (concussion)? No. The VA’s coverage exclusion applies to all TBI severity levels when HBOT is the requested treatment. Some veterans with TBI may have co-existing conditions (like chronic wounds) that separately qualify.

Can a VA physician prescribe HBOT off-label? Individual VA physicians can discuss HBOT and refer veterans to non-VA facilities for off-label use, but the VA won’t pay for it. The referral would be informational, not a covered benefit.

Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information about HBOT coverage policies and is not medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made with a qualified physician who can evaluate your individual situation. Coverage rules change — verify current VA policy directly with your VA care team or benefits coordinator.