The Department of Veterans Affairs is adding virtual reality to more areas of Veteran care, giving providers another tool to help with stress, anxiety, pain, and whole health support.
A recent VA News report says primary care providers across the VA health care system are introducing virtual reality as part of care plans for Veterans. The technology can place Veterans in calming environments, guide breathing exercises, support relaxation, and offer controlled exposure to stressful situations in a safer setting.
VA says VR is not meant to replace medication, therapy, or regular medical care. Instead, it gives providers another option to help Veterans practice coping skills during clinic visits and, in some cases, continue those skills outside the exam room.
How VA Is Using VR in Care
Virtual reality is often associated with gaming, but VA has been testing it across several health care areas. According to a February VA Immersive update, the technology has been used for pain management, anxiety, PTSD treatment, addiction recovery, neurological assessment, physical therapy and recreational therapy.
VA reported that immersive technology has reached more than 170 VA facilities across all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. The same VA update said Veterans who used VR across clinical settings self-reported a 29% decrease in anxiety and a 29% decrease in pain perception, though VA noted those results were not from a controlled research study.
Another 2026 VA News story said VA had deployed VR headsets across more than 90 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics, with more than 40 documented use cases and more than 11,000 Veteran experiences to date.
VR, Pain, and Mental Health Often Overlap
RelieVRx is one example of how VA is using virtual reality beyond mental health alone. The FDA-authorized prescription VR program is designed for chronic pain and uses guided lessons that include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, and pain education.
Veterans use a headset to move through guided chapters focused on breathing, calming the body, understanding pain, and building coping skills. VA also says RelieVRx is now available under VA’s Federal Supply Schedule, meaning VA providers can prescribe it to eligible Veterans.
Chronic pain rarely stays physical. Pain can affect sleep, mood, stress, and daily routines. VA’s latest VR work fits into its Whole Health approach, which looks at the connection between physical health, mental health and daily quality of life.
What the Research Says So Far
VR may be promising, but the research is still developing. A 2026 VA Evidence Synthesis Program review looked at fully immersive VR for mental health disorders and suicide prevention. The review found that VR exposure therapy for PTSD may be less effective, or show little to no difference, compared with non-VR prolonged exposure therapy. It also said evidence remains uncertain for several other conditions.
That does not mean VR has no value. It means the strongest use may depend on the Veteran, the condition, the provider, and how the technology is used. VA’s own research points to the need for more study, especially around which Veterans benefit most and how VR compares with existing evidence-based care.
Another Option, Not a Cure-All
VR is becoming more available inside VA, but it should be viewed as one more tool in the care plan. Some Veterans may use it to practice breathing or relaxation. Others may use it as part of pain care, rehabilitation, or exposure-based work under the supervision of a trained provider.
Veterans interested in VR should ask their VA primary care provider, mental health provider, or pain care team whether any immersive technology options are available at their local VA facility or through an at-home program.
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