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The VA Traumatic Brain Injury Health Registry has over 440,000 veterans diagnosed with a TBI between 2001 and 2021.

But how many of us have symptoms but no diagnosis (yet)?

TBIs caused by an explosion that lead to visible head trauma or loss of consciousness are easy to recognize. But what about firing countless rounds of heavy machine guns, multiple near-miss IED detonations, regular combatives training, static line jumps that end with a not-so-smooth PLF, etc.?

We want to know if you’ve had these or similar experiences and now have unexplained symptoms such as headaches, vision issues, sleep issues, balance problems, etc.

In addition to sharing your thoughts below, here are some veteran-focused resources if you are looking for help now:

- Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative: https://rly.pt/ShepherdCenter
- Marcus Institute for Brain health: https://rly.pt/MarcusInstitute
- Home Base Brain Health for Special Operators: https://rly.pt/HomeBase

Of course, always talk to your primary care physician (PCPs) about any symptoms that concern you. If your PCP is not at the VA, consider getting VA care as VA docs see a lot more brain trauma patients than most of their civilian counterparts: https://rly.pt/VAapply.
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Responses: 18
Maj Kim Patterson
23
23
0
I feel like I need to wear a hat that says TBI survivor because I “Look” normal at this point. My care team is well aware and I couldn’t ask for anything better.
(23)
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Maj Kim Patterson
Maj Kim Patterson
20 d
LTC Matthew Schlosser - I don’t know wha gave you the impression I was an airplane washer.
(5)
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SrA Cecelia Eareckson
17 d
Maj Kim Patterson - Props for being far more polite than was warrented!
(6)
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MSgt Bj Jones
MSgt Bj Jones
11 d
SrA Cecelia Eareckson That is crazy! Thank God you survived. What happened to the O-6? Were there charges and prison time? I'm sorry those things happened to you.
(4)
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SrA Cecelia Eareckson
10 d
MSgt Bj Jones Thank you but this was pre Tailhook, and the JAG warned me that if I filed a complaint I “would be lucky if nothing happened.” I truly brlieve that advice was meant well.
(4)
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MSG Thomas Currie
22
22
0
"Repeat low level concussions"
Isn't that the job description for tank crewmen, artillerymen, and mortar crews in the Army and Marine Corps.? Gunner's Mates in the Navy and Coast Guard? Everyone aboard an aircraft carrier? And a dozen other MOS across all branches of the service?
(22)
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SPC Wesley Parker
SPC Wesley Parker
3 mo
105 mm Howitzer field artillery. I was exposed to thousands of explosions in the 170-180 decibel range.
(4)
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(0)
MSG Thomas Currie
MSG Thomas Currie
26 d
SPC Wesley Parker - As a career tanker I know exactly what you are talking about, it's not just your own gun, it's the rest of the battery or the tank platoon, etc. Also we both served before the Army began to take hearing loss seriously and no one ever considered "repeat low level concussions."

I'm diagnosed with high frequency hearing loss (which the VA acknowledges but refuses to consider a problem) and tinnitus (which is less of a problem but is counted by the VA).
(5)
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
SrA Cecelia Eareckson
17 d
Well, yes, and it did not used to be regarded as serious. My own mother was an RN, who spent the bulk of her career in a hospital that specialized in rehab when that meant car crashes and other trauma. When .i asked her about a calcified ridge on the side of my head, she just said that meant I had taken a very hard blow to that area. She loved me, and she depended on me to help her remain in the house. Had there been any recognized need at the time, she would have referred me.
(4)
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PO3 Edward Riddle
21
21
0
Love that .50 Cal.
(21)
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SSG Benton Miller
SSG Benton Miller
4 mo
Ma deuce!
(5)
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PO3 Edward Riddle
PO3 Edward Riddle
4 mo
SSG Benton Miller - Yo, Bro!!!
(5)
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CPO George Hall
CPO George Hall
19 d
berthing space right under MT51 sleeping in a steel box with a 5" gun on the roof
(3)
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(0)
PO3 Edward Riddle
PO3 Edward Riddle
18 d
CPO George Hall - Earplugs I hope Brother George?
(3)
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(0)
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