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Do you have symptoms from repeat low level concussions that need treatment?
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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.
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.
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Mental Health
TBI
HealthMedically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Mental Health TBI HealthMedically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS)
Responses: 21
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SSG ERIC BLUE----
Your Post Was About 5 Months Ago - It's Now Nov. 23, 2025.
Is It Being Properly Taken Care Of Or Are You Still In Need Of More Assistance
To Accomplish Your Goal?--
Your Post Was About 5 Months Ago - It's Now Nov. 23, 2025.
Is It Being Properly Taken Care Of Or Are You Still In Need Of More Assistance
To Accomplish Your Goal?--
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SSG Eric Blue
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney - It's ongoing. Had to put it on pause during the shutdown because the VA facility close to me wasn't open.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SSG Eric Blue -
Not Knowing The Issue Puts Me in The Position Of Asking -
Is It A Temporary Or A Permanent Ongoing Situation Which Will Be
With You For A Lifetime?-- I THINK, If The VA Wasn't Close Enough To You,
You'd Be Allowed To Use Civilian Medical Services In Your Location--? But Not Certain.
Not Knowing The Issue Puts Me in The Position Of Asking -
Is It A Temporary Or A Permanent Ongoing Situation Which Will Be
With You For A Lifetime?-- I THINK, If The VA Wasn't Close Enough To You,
You'd Be Allowed To Use Civilian Medical Services In Your Location--? But Not Certain.
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No TBI but, I filed for four other claims that were verified by the VA! And was denied on all four!
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
Cpl RONALD MAGRUM?
Give This Law Firm A Call - All They Handle Are VA Claims
WOODS & WOODS--- [login to see]
"Woods & Woods is a premier law firm that takes the veterans cases personally. The professionalism of the people who work there are top notch. They made every step of the process understandable and precise. Taking on the VA is best left to Woods & Woods."
Give This Law Firm A Call - All They Handle Are VA Claims
WOODS & WOODS--- [login to see]
"Woods & Woods is a premier law firm that takes the veterans cases personally. The professionalism of the people who work there are top notch. They made every step of the process understandable and precise. Taking on the VA is best left to Woods & Woods."
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It doesn't matter, I have a TBI (Rated 0%). I have sleep issues, I have brought up my unsteadiness and balance problems, they keep saying its the crystals in my inner ear, smh. Lets not get into when i lay on my back under a vehicle working with my hands, i get really sick and nauseous. They just blame everything on something else.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
I've Been Doing Battle With The VA For Close To 3 DCECADES
ZERO Assistance, BUT One "L" Of A Lot Of Referrals - "We're Sorry To Hear That, BUT..."
And The Referrals Are Never Ending - "Not Out Department, You Need To Contact..... "
And I've Actually Had Referrals Refer Me BACK To The Ones Who Referred Me TO Them!
--- It's The Tail Chasing The Dog--
ZERO Assistance, BUT One "L" Of A Lot Of Referrals - "We're Sorry To Hear That, BUT..."
And The Referrals Are Never Ending - "Not Out Department, You Need To Contact..... "
And I've Actually Had Referrals Refer Me BACK To The Ones Who Referred Me TO Them!
--- It's The Tail Chasing The Dog--
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Sigh. My MST included closed head trauma, also got in a brawl in the barracks. No referral ever, and the first is part of my VA record. Gosh, I am getting tired of having to point out how differently the VA treats women.
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SrA Cecelia Eareckson
Been squeaking for twentyfour years. Only noticeable result has been three times record flagged. Never raised my voice, never threatened anyone. Objected to a staff member screaming at ME about a mammogram. Pointed out that an xray of a cracked tooth had been switched. (4th year student at Boston Medical dental school wound up the extraction.) Lastly, picked up after three years out of the VA, just because. Semi-seriously, what alternate universes do you and I live in?
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SrA Cecelia Eareckson -
I've Been Fighting The SOB'S For Over 2 DECADES And To Date With ZERO Results In My Favor --- BUT They're Batting 100% Of REALLY Pizzing Me Off! --
Roughly 2 Years Ago A Vet Entered The North Las Vegas VA -- ARMED
It Went Unreported Until About 2 Weeks Ago (Today Nov 24/ 2025), As He Was Stopped By Internal Security --- Theory: VAS Here Did NOT Want It On Their Records NOR For The DC VA To Find Out. Again: Just A Theory - And I've Yet To Know Why It Happened Nor What The Final Result Was,.
I've Been Fighting The SOB'S For Over 2 DECADES And To Date With ZERO Results In My Favor --- BUT They're Batting 100% Of REALLY Pizzing Me Off! --
Roughly 2 Years Ago A Vet Entered The North Las Vegas VA -- ARMED
It Went Unreported Until About 2 Weeks Ago (Today Nov 24/ 2025), As He Was Stopped By Internal Security --- Theory: VAS Here Did NOT Want It On Their Records NOR For The DC VA To Find Out. Again: Just A Theory - And I've Yet To Know Why It Happened Nor What The Final Result Was,.
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SFC Mark Merino
Thousands of rounds through the M242 Bushmaster probably didn’t help much either, but I’ll take the pain. Too much fun.
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Recoiless rifles are beast that will shake you up while firing. Firing one from a bunker is even worse. When I was in we had the 90mm. I was weapons squad and exposed to all kinds of concussive forces in what is considered peacetime service.
I remember reading an article about people firing the Carl Gustav setting off their blast gauges. Shortly thereafter they pulled the plug on soldiers wearing them.
Our urban training area in Berlin was concrete buildings and called Doughboy city. You can imagine how cold it got in winter. But also how much concrete reflected blasts and firing noises. Then going to places like Wildflicken and others to do training. Demolitions courses, standing next to tanks firing, firing the 90mm recoiless and other heavier infantry weapons like the 50. You are going to get exposed to concussive forces and noise levels detrimental to hearing function.
Here is a link to a Stars and Stripes article about concussion risk from the Carl Gustav. I never fired the Gustav but would find it hard to believe the 90mm was less of a bell ringer. I think that is why not a lot of Units had the 90mm when I was in.
https://www.stripes.com/news/2018-05-02/gunners-using-shoulder-borne-heavy-weapons-at-risk-for-brain-damage-1507328.html1
I remember reading an article about people firing the Carl Gustav setting off their blast gauges. Shortly thereafter they pulled the plug on soldiers wearing them.
Our urban training area in Berlin was concrete buildings and called Doughboy city. You can imagine how cold it got in winter. But also how much concrete reflected blasts and firing noises. Then going to places like Wildflicken and others to do training. Demolitions courses, standing next to tanks firing, firing the 90mm recoiless and other heavier infantry weapons like the 50. You are going to get exposed to concussive forces and noise levels detrimental to hearing function.
Here is a link to a Stars and Stripes article about concussion risk from the Carl Gustav. I never fired the Gustav but would find it hard to believe the 90mm was less of a bell ringer. I think that is why not a lot of Units had the 90mm when I was in.
https://www.stripes.com/news/2018-05-02/gunners-using-shoulder-borne-heavy-weapons-at-risk-for-brain-damage-1507328.html1
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Yes Sir, my primary care physician is with the VA! And I do have everything required with VA to qualify for TBI! Unfortunately it is talking a long time for some claims. And I keep getting denied for most of them! You know how that goes with all the red tape! And one is on appeal and has been for a long time! I have no choice but to hurry up and wait!
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Cpl Ronald Mangrum
Maj Kim Patterson Thank you Major! I will keep going with this. I feel as though I earned every single claim! It’s not like I’m trying to get something free! I served with honor and received an honorable discharge! GOD BLESS AMERICA
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Maj Kim Patterson
It took me over 30 years but I came back from te dead to see it through, The VSOs aren’t working right now, part of the government shutdown
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
SUGGESTION: And Some Of The Others MAY Want To Follow My Lead. - I AM Pizzed -
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I've Been Doing Combat With The VA For Decades And I For ONE Have Had My Fill Of Their Bull Chips-- But I'm NOT Finished With Them YET:
I'm Now Preparing A Letter And Doing My Best To Keep It Clean, Listing The Issues I've Had With The VA Over The Past 3 +/- DECADES -- THEN Sending Copies To The Top News Networks NBC - ABC - CBS --CNN - PBS - FOX--- Etc. And Do My F-king Best To Rattle Some Chains Throughout Our Government And The VA As Well. ~ I've HAD My FILL .... And For Your Dining Pleasure Here Are Just A Couple.....
- #1....Due To Their Errors I Had Emergency Surgery + 2-3 Days Short Of 1 MONTH In The Hospital + Weeks Of Antibiotics Injected Inti My System Provided By An RN Coming Tio My Home . PLUS According To 1 Of The Doctors- -- Had I Not Been Brought In At That Time, I'd Have DIED Before The Following Morning -
#2...Diagnosed With A Mental Health Condition When I Had NONE - Medicated For Being Bi-Polar And Then I Went NUTS --In & Out Of ER Weekly - Hospitalized - Years Later FINALLY One Doctor Actually LISTENED To What I Had To Say - Then Took Me Off All Meds-----SUMDITCH -- I'm CURED ~
~ And Those Are But 2~
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I've Been Doing Combat With The VA For Decades And I For ONE Have Had My Fill Of Their Bull Chips-- But I'm NOT Finished With Them YET:
I'm Now Preparing A Letter And Doing My Best To Keep It Clean, Listing The Issues I've Had With The VA Over The Past 3 +/- DECADES -- THEN Sending Copies To The Top News Networks NBC - ABC - CBS --CNN - PBS - FOX--- Etc. And Do My F-king Best To Rattle Some Chains Throughout Our Government And The VA As Well. ~ I've HAD My FILL .... And For Your Dining Pleasure Here Are Just A Couple.....
- #1....Due To Their Errors I Had Emergency Surgery + 2-3 Days Short Of 1 MONTH In The Hospital + Weeks Of Antibiotics Injected Inti My System Provided By An RN Coming Tio My Home . PLUS According To 1 Of The Doctors- -- Had I Not Been Brought In At That Time, I'd Have DIED Before The Following Morning -
#2...Diagnosed With A Mental Health Condition When I Had NONE - Medicated For Being Bi-Polar And Then I Went NUTS --In & Out Of ER Weekly - Hospitalized - Years Later FINALLY One Doctor Actually LISTENED To What I Had To Say - Then Took Me Off All Meds-----SUMDITCH -- I'm CURED ~
~ And Those Are But 2~
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Mine are from boxing. Don't suppose that is covered since it was pre-military
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I enlisted in 1972 as a PV1 and retired in 1995 as a MAJ. En route I made it to SGT/E5 in the enlisted and NCO ranks. I now have osteo-arthritis in both shoulders and both feet, a broken right foot that has never healed properly, sleep apnea, tinnitus, and have survived bladder and prostate cancer. After many years of trying, I've finally gotten into the VA medical system. They have just told me that my left shoulder is severely damaged by the arthritis, but aside from shoulder replacement surgery, which scares the hell out of me, I'm not sure they can do anything to fix it. There's a foot and ankle specialist who has offered surgery to fix my broken foot, but he warns me that recovery will require 9-12 weeks in a bent-knee cast. I'm approaching my 76th birthday, and I'm concerned that getting around for 2-3 months in a cast may be very difficult. Any ideas or advice to offer?
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