Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.)

What Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.) does

Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2018 and headquartered in Los Angeles that connected U.S. military veterans suffering from chronic pain with a national network of more than 200 volunteer physicians delivering regenerative and interventional medicine. The organization operated as an all-volunteer, no-salary intermediary: founder Micaela Bensko curated physician volunteers (described as Stanford-credentialed in part of the network), matched them with referred veterans, and coordinated complementary services including air transport via Veterans Airlift Command and Angel Flight West, peer support, and partnership-led recovery programming. Reported cumulative impact includes 600+ veterans facilitated and over $4 million in biologics and interventional solutions delivered at no cost to recipients.

The clinical modalities routed through the network are regenerative and interventional in nature: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), stellate ganglion block (SGB), hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), IV ketamine, peptide therapy, CBD, ozone therapy, and the Cervigard device (developed with Kessler Foundation). V.I.P. funded access through donated kits from EmCyte and contributed peer-reviewed and protocol collaboration with organizations such as Regenexx, the Interventional Orthopedics Foundation (IOF), the American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM), and Healing Arizona Veterans.

Revenue mechanics rely primarily on donations (with 95% directed to programmatic activities per organizational disclosures), supplemented by a 10% revenue share from the Override Pain Coaching subscription product (co-founded with former VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin) and passive Amazon Smile affiliate proceeds. The organization holds GuideStar Platinum, DOD National Resource Directory, and Wounded Warrior Project certifications. In 2025, V.I.P. announced a strategic pivot away from active physician matching toward federal legislative advocacy for the Interventional Therapies for Veterans Act, effectively transitioning from service intermediary to policy advocacy entity.

Name

Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.)

Legal name

Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.), Inc.

Website

https://veteransinpain.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2018, that connected U.S. veterans with chronic pain to a network of 200+ volunteer regenerative-medicine physicians, facilitating $4M+ in services for 600+ veterans, and has pivoted in 2025 to federal legislative advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Chronic Pain Management Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Pain Management Clinics (Interventional & Medical) (HLAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pain Medicine (Interventional/Neuropathic Pain) (HLAKAIAM), Chronic Pain Rehabilitation & Functional Restoration (HSADAIAJ)

Keywords

• Chronic pain management
• Regenerative medicine access
• Veteran healthcare advocacy
• Interventional pain treatment
• Nonprofit care coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations: 95% of donations go directly to VIP Veteran procedures, research, and ongoing VIP Veteran support initiatives. Donations cover OR and anesthesia fees, travel, accommodations, bio-product, kits, physician outreach, and veteran outreach.
2. Amazon Smile: Organization benefits from purchases made through Amazon Smile program
3. Override Coaching Partnership Revenue: VIP receives 10% of monthly program fees from Override coaching packages sold to veterans

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.) is a nonprofit service organization that facilitates connections between U.S. military veterans suffering from chronic pain and a national network of over 200 volunteer civilian physicians who provide regenerative and alternative medical treatments (PRP, BMAC, SGB, HBOT, IV Ketamine, peptide, plant-based, and CBD therapies) at 70-100% reduced costs. The organization also offers an evidence-based chronic pain coaching subscription (Override Pain Coaching) at three monthly tiers and facilitates access to the Cervigard cervical spine correction device. VIP is now pivoting to long-term legislative advocacy through the Interventional Therapies for Veterans Act.

Product overview

Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.) is a GuideStar Platinum-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a physician matching and care facilitation service connecting veterans with chronic pain to a network of over 200 volunteer civilian physicians providing regenerative and alternative treatments. The core product is the physician matching service with associated care coordination, which reduces treatment costs by 70-100%. Treatment services include PRP, BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate), SGB (Stellate Ganglion Block), HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), IV Ketamine, peptide therapies, plant-based therapies, and CBD solutions. VIP also offers an add-on pain coaching module through its Override partnership, therapeutic devices like Cervigard, and educational resources including the VIP Manifesto for Change and Treatment Directives. The organization is pivoting from individual veteran matching toward long-term legislative change through the Interventional Therapies for Veterans Act initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physician Matching and Care Facilitation Service Core service connecting U.S. military veterans suffering from chronic pain to a national network of over 200 volunteer civilian physicians who provide regenerative and alternative medical treatments (PRP, BMAC, SGB, HBOT, IV Ketamine, peptides, plant-based, CBD, ozone) at 70-100% reduced costs. Veterans apply through a 3-step intake process (Application Form, Waiver of Liability, Intake Call). As of 2023, had facilitated over $4,000,000 in biologic and interventional solutions for over 500 veteran applicants.
• Override Pain Coaching Program Evidence-based chronic pain management coaching subscription in partnership with Override, co-founded by former VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin. Available in Basic ($130/month, 1 individual session), Middle ($197/month, 2 individual sessions), and Standard ($306/month, 4 individual sessions) tiers. All tiers include pain neuroscience curriculum, weekly group coaching, and family support sessions. Reported outcomes include 80% reduction in medication dependence, 70% improvement in sleep/function/social outcomes, and 9.7/10 patient satisfaction. 10% of monthly fees are directed to VIP veterans.
• Cervigard Therapeutic Device Distribution Kessler Foundation-backed therapeutic cervical spine correction tool provided to qualifying veterans through VIP's Cervigard Request Form pathway for cervical spine conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% reduction in medication dependence with Override coaching
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EmCyte CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEmCyte is the leader in quality devices utilized in Regenerative medicine. They donate PRP/BMAC kits to qualifying VIP cases, helping eliminate hard costs for veterans. EmCyte and Gulf Coast Biologics partner with VIP at conferences like Bio-Illuminate III International CME Conference.
• Override Pain CoachingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOverride is co-founded by former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. David Shulkin. VIP veterans gain access to Override's evidence-based chronic pain management coaching program at discounted rates. 10% of monthly program fees go directly to VIP veterans.
• OPUMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing state-of-the-art sensors for knee rehabilitation progress measurement. Offers clinically validated solution for in-depth measurement of knee rehabilitation and provides non-drug activity-based treatment programs.
• Veterans Airlift CommandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides pro bono private flights for VIP Veterans traveling to and from cancer-related therapies and regenerative treatments. Facilitates longer-haul flights via volunteer private pilots.
• Angel Flight WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides shorter West regional flights for VIP veterans requiring treatment travel. Requires medical form signed by veteran's personal physician.
• Healing Arizona VeteranscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by VIP Director of Oxygen Therapy Dr. Carol Henricks. Provides pro bono HBOT therapy for military veterans suffering from TBI and PTSD. VIP facilitates veteran access to their programs.
• Heroic Hearts ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides psychedelic therapy options for veterans suffering from military trauma. VIP refers veterans to their services.
• Celling BiosciencesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided supplies for pro bono veteran procedures including BMAC kits and anesthesia supplies.
• Northwest AnesthesiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided anesthesia supplies pro bono for VIP veteran procedures.
• America's Mighty WarriorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides funding for veterans diagnosed with TBI to receive HBOT and hormone/vitamin therapy.
• For The Love of a VeteranminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSGB-centered nonprofit providing Stellate Ganglion Block procedures at no charge to veterans, including transportation and lodging.
• Rocky Mountain Hyperbaric InstituteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides HBOT treatments for post-9/11 veterans with brain injuries and assists with lodging for those traveling for treatment.
• Hyperbarics For HeroesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans and first responders to help them recover and reconnect with family.
• Fisher House FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBuilds comfort homes where military and veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital.
• CervigardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKessler Foundation-backed therapeutic cervical spine correction tool. VIP partners with Cervigard to provide this tool to qualifying veterans.
• Regenexx Physician NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP is endorsed by Regenexx Physician Network, a network of physicians specializing in regenerative orthopedics.
• Regenerative Medicine FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP is a member of the Regenerative Medicine Foundation.
• Interventional OrthoBiologics Foundation (IOF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP is officially endorsed by IOF, a foundation dedicated to interventional orthobiologics.
• American Academy/Association of Orthopedic MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIP is officially endorsed by AAOM.
• Holtorf Medical GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Kent Holtorf leads VIP's Peptides division, providing discounted IV and peptide therapies for VIP veterans.
• Restore Hyper-Wellness and Cryogenic ClinicalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in San Antonio, TX, provides pro bono cryogenic and ozone therapy to VIP veterans.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: A large, well-established veteran support nonprofit that provides a wide range of programs and services to wounded veterans. VIP is a Certified Resource of Wounded Warrior Project, positioning the two as part of the same veteran support ecosystem but at vastly different scales.
• Fisher House Foundation: A major veteran support nonprofit that builds comfort homes where military and veteran families stay free of charge during hospitalization. It is part of VIP's referral network and operates at a significantly larger scale across the broader veteran support ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Heroic Hearts Project: A nonprofit providing psychedelic therapy options for veterans suffering from military trauma. VIP refers veterans to its services, and the two organizations share a focus on alternative therapeutic modalities for veteran mental and physical health.
• Hyperbarics For Heroes: A nonprofit providing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to veterans and first responders to support recovery and family reconnection. It is a referral partner within VIP's HBOT service network, operating with similar volunteer-driven delivery.
• America's Mighty Warriors: A veteran-focused nonprofit that provides funding for HBOT and hormone/vitamin therapy to veterans diagnosed with TBI. It shares VIP's mission of funding regenerative and alternative treatments for veterans outside the standard VA formulary.
• Healing Arizona Veterans: Founded by VIP's Director of Oxygen Therapy Dr. Carol Henricks, this nonprofit provides pro bono HBOT therapy to veterans with TBI and PTSD. It operates as a direct clinical partner within VIP's service delivery network, sharing mission, methodology, and personnel overlap.
• Rebuilding America's Warriors (RAW): A nonprofit providing pro bono reconstructive surgery for combat-wounded veterans. VIP's founder Micaela Bensko previously served as Vice President of RAW, and the organizations share an identical DNA: volunteer medical networks delivering free care to veterans outside the standard VA pathway.
• For The Love of a Veteran: An SGB-focused nonprofit providing Stellate Ganglion Block procedures at no charge to veterans, including transportation and lodging. It is a referral partner within VIP's network, sharing the same volunteer-physician model and veteran chronic pain focus.

Regional players

• Rocky Mountain Hyperbaric Institute: A treatment provider offering HBOT for post-9/11 veterans with brain injuries, including lodging assistance for traveling veterans. It complements VIP's national network by providing regional clinical capacity in the Mountain West.

Emerging players

• Override: A chronic pain coaching company co-founded by former VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin that shares an advisory connection to VIP. It offers evidence-based pain neuroscience coaching with 10% of veteran subscription fees routed back to VIP, creating both programmatic and economic ties.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Veteransinpain
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSUa6LnxOBHTOKambEvEy7g
• Facebookfacebook.com/VetsInPain
• Instagraminstagram.com/VeteransInPainVIP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veterans-in-pain

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Veterans In Pain (V.I.P.)