Mike Merzke served several combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, which took their toll when he came home.
"I was engaging in a lot more dangerous activities, almost like thrill seeking," he said.
He had tried medicine for his migraines and also had issues with PTSD.
"You just see the overwhelming suffering that weighs on a soul, you can't get around that," he said.
But in the end, it was his son, who has cerebral palsy, that made him take a look at a treatment that might help him, too.
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment can help with issues such as inflammation, neuroplasticity, and even cerebral blood flow, according to research.
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Merzke is on his 80th dive. HBOT 4 Heroes funds the therapy at a clinic in Durham. He said he's already feeling better.
"I don't get as much brain fog, my memory is improving, I mean, there was just a lot of things again that I kind of just chalked up to that it was my life now and it was something I would have to deal with," he said.
Right now, the therapy is only approved by the FDA for certain conditions, not for PTSD, meaning for now, it is not typically covered by VA benefits or health insurance.
North Carolina did approve initial funding for the nonprofit, which covers up to 40 treatments for each veteran, but with almost 100 more on the waitlist, they need more support.
"So we are solely relying on private donations, fundraisers, corporate sponsors, grants, we're trying to find every avenue that we can to keep this program going," said Kristy Andrews with HBOT 4 Heroes.
And at a time when veterans lose their lives to suicide at a higher rate than others, it's personal.
"I personally have lost quite a few friends that I have served with," said Merzke.