HEALTHCAREVA program
PTSD Treatment Program
Specialized PTSD clinical teams at nearly 200 VA facilities offering evidence-based psychotherapy (Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure), medication management, residential programs, and telehealth options.
Available to enrolled veterans with documented trauma history
Step-by-step guide
Ways into VA PTSD care
- Enrollment in VA health careVA.gov says to apply for VA health care first. After you apply, if you have a VA primary care provider, talk with them. If not, call 800-827-1000, contact your VA medical center, or a PTSD program.
Source: VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)
Where do you want to start?
- PTSD care through VA health care
VA has almost 200 PTSD treatment programs. Care includes assessment, medicine shown to treat PTSD, 1 to 1 talk therapy such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, and family and group therapy. Outpatient and inpatient mental health care is part of the medical benefits package.
Source: VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(ii) (opens in new tab)
- Vet Center counseling
If you served in a combat zone, VA.gov says you can get free counseling at a Vet Center. Vet Center records are kept apart from other VA and Defense Department medical records.
- Service in a combat theater or area of hostilitiesThe rule covers veterans and service members who served in a combat theater or area of hostilities, or supported it in listed ways, or got Vet Center counseling before January 2, 2013, and their family members.
Source: 38 CFR 17.2000(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.2000(e) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab)
What to gather, and what it shows VA
| Document | What it shows | How VA gets it | Have it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application for health benefits VA Form 10-10EZ, the VA health care enrollment application. | Your request to enroll in VA health care | Apply online on VA.gov, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. | |
| DD214 Your discharge papers, with dates and places of service. | Your service, and combat theater service when noted | Keep your copy at hand when you apply or visit. | Yes |
| Combat medals or combat pay records An expeditionary or campaign medal, or proof of hostile fire or imminent danger pay or the combat tax exemption after November 11, 1998. | Service in a combat theater | With your consent, VA will help get proof of combat theater service for a Vet Center. |
You do not need a diagnosis or any record to ask for help. BeneVets does not ask for records.
Steps, in order
- In crisis, reach out now
Call 988 and select 1, or text 838255. Or go directly to your nearest VA medical center, whatever your discharge status and whether or not you are enrolled.
Source: VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab); VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(l) (opens in new tab)
- Apply for VA health care
If you are not enrolled, apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab)
- Ask your provider or call VA
After you apply, if you have a VA primary care provider, talk with them. If not, call 800-827-1000, contact your VA medical center, or a PTSD program.
Source: VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab); VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab)
- Find a Vet Center
If you served in a combat zone, look up the nearest Vet Center with the VA.gov facility locator.
Source: VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab); VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab)
- Free help applying for VA health care
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you. A VSO can help with the VA Form 10-10EZ health care application.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)
Good to know
Call 988 and select 1, or text 838255. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7. Or go directly to your nearest VA medical center, whatever your discharge status and whether or not you are enrolled.
Source: VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab); VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(l) (opens in new tab)
VA.gov says help is open whether you just came home from a deployment or have been home for 40 years.
PTSD specialists give outpatient care at VA medical centers. Residential (live-in) and inpatient programs serve veterans with severe symptoms. If you do not live near a VA facility, VA offers counseling by phone (telemental health care).
BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you
Sources checked October 8, 2026: 38 CFR 17.37(l) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(i) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(ii) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.2000(a) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.2000(b) (opens in new tab), 38 CFR 17.2000(e) (opens in new tab), VA.gov: PTSD treatment (opens in new tab), VA.gov: suicide prevention (opens in new tab), VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab), VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab), VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab), VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)