Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces encounter many of the same health challenges as civilians, but they are statistically more likely to experience several serious conditions. Research published in Advances in Medical Education and Practice shows that veterans have higher rates of mental‑health disorders, substance‑use problems, PTSD, depression, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, amputations, and the lingering effects of hazardous exposures.

Conventional medical treatments are usually the first line of care for these issues. Sometimes they work for a period and then lose effectiveness; other times they bring uncomfortable side effects that make the therapy intolerable, and in some cases traditional approaches simply fail to provide relief. When this happens, many veterans turn to acupuncture and manual therapies, a traditional medicine modality that has demonstrated efficacy across a broad spectrum of veteran‑related health concerns.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes acupuncture as an effective option for veterans dealing with:

• pain stemming from injuries or illnesses,
• postoperative nausea and vomiting,
• chemotherapy‑induced nausea and vomiting,
• knee pain caused by osteoarthritis,
• low‑back pain,
• depression and other mental‑health challenges, and
• substance‑dependency issues.

Acupuncture & Manual therapies therefore offer a drug‑free, non‑invasive alternative that can complement or replace conventional therapies when they fall short, providing many veterans with meaningful symptom relief and an improved quality of life.

Acupuncture physician Dr. Skip Hart, O.M.D. is proud to bring this valuable therapy to veterans throughout the greater Huntington area, accepting referrals directly from the VA.

The VA covers several complementary therapies, including:

• acupuncture,
• manual therapy (bodywork),
• cupping, and
• infrared treatments.

Dr. Skip’s practice goes beyond acupuncture alone. Our holistic, integrative approach lets us address a broad spectrum of veteran health concerns, with a special focus on chronic‑pain management. Learn more about our natural chronic‑pain treatment options on the dedicated page, and explore the site to see what makes Dr. Skip’s care distinctive.

Most veteran health care is delivered at VA hospitals or clinics, but sometimes a veteran can’t get the treatment they need there. When that happens, the VA will pay for care provided by a community provider through the Veteran’s Choice Program.

How it works

1. Referral required – A veteran must first receive a referral (usually from their VA primary‑care provider).
2. Three ways to get an approved referral
   • Contact the local VAMC – Verify Community Care Network (CCN) eligibility; if eligible, the VA can refer the veteran to a community provider.
   • VA assessment – The VA evaluates the veteran’s need and, if justified, generates an authorized referral.
   • Provider‑initiated – The community provider determines that additional care beyond the original authorization is medically necessary.
3. Request the referral online – Referrals can be submitted through the MyHealth.VA.Gov portal (link).

Typical VA Acupuncture Episode of Care (SEOC)

• Initial series: 12 visits over 60 days
• Continuation: 8 visits over the next 90 days
• Chronic‑care management: 8 visits over the following 180 days

Dr. Skip Hart – Your Community Acupuncture Provider

Dr. Skip Hart, O.M.D., is a VA‑approved community provider offering acupuncture and a range of complementary services to veterans and their families. Both Dr. Skip and colleague J. Forsyth come from military families (combined 55 years of Navy and Air Force service) and are honored to give back to those who served.

• Want a referral to Dr. Skip? Follow the step‑by‑step instructions [here].
• Need a letter for your VA primary‑care provider? Download and print the template [here].
• Find us on the Community Care website by clicking [here].

Feel free to call us at (304) 634‑9700 for any questions about the process or our services.