On July 15, the Washington VA Medical Center became a living lab for virtual reality, hosting a joint demo day between the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The focus was a suite of mixed‑reality tools aimed at easing pain, anxiety, PTSD and other conditions that affect veterans and active‑duty service members.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Carrie Howe, a former combat helicopter pilot, stepped into an extended‑reality headset during the session. A veteran of her own struggles with anxiety and PTSD, Howe said the game “encouraged me to get started.” She added that the experience could give people a “little kick‑start of dopamine or adrenaline” to motivate everyday tasks, from unloading the dishwasher to going for a walk.

The event was organized by the DHA’s Web and Mobile Technology Program Management Office and the VHA’s Strategic Initiatives Lab. It drew clinicians, veterans, service members and technology developers, all of whom tested the tools and offered feedback on how they might fit into military and veteran care.

DHA and VA have long coordinated to ensure seamless care for those transitioning from active duty to veteran status. Acting program executive officer James Perkins explained that the partnership “supports the DHA director’s priorities by delivering warfighter medical readiness” and “provides the healthcare enterprise all beneficiaries deserve.” Perkins emphasized that the collaboration lets the agencies collect stronger evidence, refine tools and decide on future expansion.

During the demo, participants tried several XR applications, including:

Immersive Wellness – a mixed‑reality mindfulness toolbox. VR PTSD Runner – an exposure‑therapy game aimed at PTSD management. * VR for Mental Health – an immersive support tool for therapeutic engagement and resilience.

Rear Admiral Ivonne Arena, DHA’s acting assistant director for Research, Development and Acquisition, highlighted the technology’s potential to transform workforce training and clinical care. She noted that biometrics gathered during use “can be useful to develop more tools and to be able to use them in the right way in the future.”

Program manager Alistair McLean underscored that immersive technology is “not just about innovation; it’s about readiness.” He explained that the demonstrations show how the tools can help providers deliver care more effectively and support service members’ recovery so they return to full duty faster.

The demo day also illustrated how the partnership could broaden therapeutic goals. The DHA and VA plan to expand access to immersive technology for pain management, addiction recovery, physical therapy and recreational therapy. The agencies are gathering clinical evidence that can inform guidelines and reimbursement policies.

At the time of the event, no formal clinical trials had been completed for the specific tools shown. The DHA and VA were collecting data on user engagement and physiological responses, but detailed results had not yet been released. The next steps include pilot studies in VA clinics, evaluation of long‑term outcomes, and discussions with payers about coverage.

In summary, the July 15 demo day highlighted a growing partnership between the DHA and VA to bring immersive technology into veteran care. The event demonstrated practical tools, gathered user feedback, and underscored the agencies’ commitment to improving mental‑health outcomes for service members and veterans. The agencies are moving toward pilot programs and evidence‑based implementation, but further data and regulatory approvals are needed before widespread deployment.