instead promoted enhanced mental health support programs for pilots that would encourage seeking help
That's as it should be Capt.
PD, but not how it always works. A QF A380 SO who has his licence tugged on the say so of a neighbour.
QF in the OZ paper today
Having said that, I'm aware of a number of pilots active in commercial employment who do receive our equivalent of VA benefits on the basis of their service induced PTSD, and the regulator is fully aware. In one case the regulators medical director went into bat for the guy and twisted the arm of the psychs to get a report giving the guy a thumbs up, their reluctance seemingly being "can this come back to bite me in some way". The above link just shows that the regulator, or rather individuals within it, can be a barstewards at times and is the reason some may shy from being open about their state. I doubt the FAA is any different based on what they did to Bob Hoover.