Clinical trials · California
Veteran clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 67 recruiting veteran studies with a site in California — including Early Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT06898879Recruiting
Working together to improve mental health care for veterans
This study is for veterans getting mental health support through VA programs. It tests a way to improve teamwork between veterans and their care teams to make the care better.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT04987775RecruitingEarly Phase 1
Study of NAC for Gulf War illness in veterans
This early-stage study tests the treatment called NAC to understand how it may work in veterans with Gulf War illness–related symptoms like fatigue and brain/mood changes. It also looks at “mechanisms,” meaning what’s happening in the body and brain while you’re in the study.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 47–70 - NCT06786572Recruiting
Mindfulness training for veterans with distress or physical symptoms
This trial tests a mindfulness program that helps you better understand body signals (interoception). It aims to reduce emotional or physical distress in veterans who struggle with these issues.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05837845RecruitingPhase 2
MDMA plus therapy versus therapy alone for severe PTSD
This Phase 2 study compares MDMA-assisted Cognitive Processing Therapy (a structured talk-therapy) to Cognitive Processing Therapy alone for Veterans with severe PTSD. It aims to see whether adding MDMA helps reduce PTSD symptoms and improve recovery.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05700682Recruiting
MRI-guided artery blockage procedure for long-term joint pain
This study tests whether an MRI scan that looks at blood flow can help target a joint embolization procedure to reduce chronic shoulder, hip, or knee pain. It first uses MRI to find signs of increased blood flow, then may use the findings to guide treatment if you qualify.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 25–80 - NCT06704061Recruiting
Online yoga vs ACT for chronic pain in veterans
This study compares online yoga with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a type of talk therapy, to see which helps veterans better manage long-lasting muscle or bone pain. You can join from home through the internet.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06678672Recruiting
Help for veterans who smoke before major surgery
This study tests a program to help veterans who smoke quit before a planned major surgery. The program uses rewards to encourage quitting, and it may improve surgery outcomes.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06656637Enrolling by invitation
Do memory drills help veterans remember things?
This study tests if doing short memory drills can help veterans with brain injuries or PTSD improve their ability to remember to do tasks. You'll practice on a tablet or computer and see if your memory gets better.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06586164Recruiting
Rehabilitation research for veterans with serious mental illness
This study is testing a new rehabilitation program for veterans with serious mental illness, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or PTSD. If you join, you will help researchers see if this program improves daily functioning and quality of life.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18–83 - NCT06596148Enrolling by invitation
Improving shingles vaccination for veterans on immune-suppressing drugs
This trial tests a way to help doctors encourage more veterans to get the Shingrix vaccine, which protects against shingles. It focuses on veterans taking medications that weaken the immune system.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges Any age - NCT06520098RecruitingPhase 2
BTK inhibitor with or without venetoclax for CLL/SLL
This trial tests whether adding venetoclax to your current BTK inhibitor (like ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, or zanubrutinib) works better than taking the BTK inhibitor alone. It's for veterans with CLL or SLL who have been on a BTK inhibitor for at least six months and have not had their disease get worse on that therapy.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06432985Recruiting
Smoking cessation coaching for veterans with cancer
This study tests a counseling program to help veterans who smoke quit smoking, especially those undergoing cancer treatment or lung cancer screening. It may improve health outcomes during cancer care.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06399653Recruiting
Nerve stimulation for alcohol use disorder in veterans
This study tests a non-invasive device that gently stimulates a nerve in your neck (the vagus nerve) to see if it can help reduce alcohol cravings and improve daily functioning. It is designed for veterans who struggle with heavy drinking and want to explore a new treatment option.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 21–65 - NCT06309264Recruiting
Comparing ways to fit hearing aids for blast-exposed Veterans
This study compares two different ways of fitting hearing aids for Veterans who were exposed to blasts and now have hearing difficulties. The goal is to see which method works better for improving hearing and understanding speech.
Loma Linda, CaliforniaAges 18–60 - NCT06296589Recruiting
Guilt Reduction vs. Prolonged Exposure for PTSD in Veterans
This study compares two types of talk therapy for Veterans with PTSD who also struggle with trauma-related guilt. One therapy focuses on reducing guilt, while the other is a standard trauma-focused treatment.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06296186Recruiting
PTSD treatment for veterans in substance use recovery
This trial tests a condensed form of prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD in veterans who are also receiving treatment for a substance use disorder. The goal is to help you process trauma and reduce substance use together.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06231563RecruitingPhase 2
Ketamine for depression in veterans with Parkinson's
This study tests if ketamine can help treat depression in veterans with Parkinson's disease. It involves several in-person and remote visits, and you will need to avoid certain medications and cannabis for a short time before and during some visits.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 40–80 - NCT06218381Recruiting
Brief exposure for PTSD in combat veterans
This study tests a very brief exposure therapy to help U.S. combat veterans with PTSD. It is designed for veterans who have not had recent mental health treatment and experienced combat trauma within the last 10 years.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–50 - NCT06194851RecruitingPhase 2
Oxytocin nasal spray plus couples therapy for Veterans with PTSD
This study tests whether a nasal spray of oxytocin (a natural hormone) can boost the effects of a brief couples therapy for Veterans with PTSD. You and your partner would receive either the spray or a placebo (inactive spray) during therapy sessions to see if it helps reduce PTSD symptoms and improve relationship satisfaction.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06162741Recruiting
Brief mindfulness training for Veterans in primary care
This study tests whether brief mindfulness training offered in VA primary care can help Veterans with symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety. It aims to see if this approach works well in everyday clinic settings.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06138054Recruiting
Mobile Program for Veterans with Mental Illness and Homelessness History
This trial tests a smartphone-based program to help veterans with serious mental illness who have experienced homelessness feel more connected to their community. It aims to see if the mobile coaching can improve daily living skills and reduce feelings of isolation.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06107842Recruiting
Exercise program for older veterans' memory and thinking
This study tests whether an exercise program called Gerofit can help improve memory and thinking in older Veterans. If you join, you will take part in supervised exercise sessions to see how it affects your brain health.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 65 years+ - NCT06068491Recruiting
Veteran-centered care for advanced liver disease
This study tests a new way of caring for veterans with advanced liver disease. It aims to help you manage your condition better and improve your quality of life.
Long Beach, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06004804Recruiting
Psychological treatments for chronic pain in veterans
This study compares two group psychological treatments for chronic pain delivered over video conference. It aims to see if these treatments help reduce pain and improve quality of life for veterans.
West Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 60–95
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting veteran studies listed above.
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, West Los Angeles, CA · 6 studies
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA · 5 studies
- San Francisco VA Medical Center · 3 studies
- VA San Diego Healthcare System · 2 studies
- Brain Imaging Lab
- Palo Alto VA Medical Center
- San Francisco VA
- San Francisco VA Health Care System
What taking part in a veteran study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Common questions
- Are there veteran clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 67 recruiting veteran studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a veteran study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a veteran trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New veteran studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.