6
6
0
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant health issue which affects service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. The high rate of TBI and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention. The impacts of TBI are felt within each branch of the service and throughout both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care systems.
In the VA, TBI has become a major focus, second only to recognition of the need for increased resources to provide health care and vocational retraining for individuals with a diagnosis of TBI, as they transition to veteran status. Veterans may sustain TBIs throughout their lifespan, with the largest increase as the veterans enter into their 70s and 80s; these injuries are often caused by falls and result in high levels of disability.
In the VA, TBI has become a major focus, second only to recognition of the need for increased resources to provide health care and vocational retraining for individuals with a diagnosis of TBI, as they transition to veteran status. Veterans may sustain TBIs throughout their lifespan, with the largest increase as the veterans enter into their 70s and 80s; these injuries are often caused by falls and result in high levels of disability.
TBI & the Military
Posted from dvbic.dcoe.milPosted in these groups: 
TBI
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
TBI Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
2
2
0
I experienced a TBI while growing up outside Philadelphia, PA in the early 1960's SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. I learned later that I was listless most of the day, frequently asking what time it was and throwing up. I had no memory after falling on an ice covered sidewalk and hitting the back of my head. I lost all memory of that day and it was incredibly frustrating that nobody believed I couldn't remember. My head was cut open a couple summers later by a hammer but that just causes a loss of blood and blood-matted hair.
I banged my head many times in the military; but, usually I was wearing a steel pot at the time which just resulted in ringing.
I doubt there will be ever be a single cure for TBI since its causes and effects are myriad. I hope and pray that the Lord will bless doctors and medical researchers with wisdom to identify and treat each person who has experienced one or more TBI as an individual and help them each regain as much capability as possible without side-effects..
I banged my head many times in the military; but, usually I was wearing a steel pot at the time which just resulted in ringing.
I doubt there will be ever be a single cure for TBI since its causes and effects are myriad. I hope and pray that the Lord will bless doctors and medical researchers with wisdom to identify and treat each person who has experienced one or more TBI as an individual and help them each regain as much capability as possible without side-effects..
(2)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. you said it articulately and profoundly. I agree with your statement, " I doubt there will be ever be a single cure for TBI since its causes and effects are myriad". My assessment, its too diverse and deals with more than you can figure out e.g., headaches, pain and PTSD. The list various and continues (to each his/own).
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
TBI & The Military is a significant challenge, as the survivability of battle field action has increased. TBI is a also a challenge in general and as medical technology increases the likelihood of survival from catastrophic incidents on the battlefield and in civilian life. Much more research needs to be focused on how to heal the brain, and how the brain heals itself. This is an interesting focus of medicine that will hopefully help reduce the suffering of those with TBI and help them return to a more normalized life. The VA is a great place to research and treat these injuries. I only wish that the VA could repair its reputation and actually perform its mission.
(2)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
RJ (Robert) Kirschner, MBA well said and profoundly stated, I have learned so much about this over the last two years of treatment for concussions suffered in Iraq from IED attacks. I got this site from an C&P Evaluator who diagnosed me and told me to read up on the link provided.
(2)
(0)
RJ (Robert) Kirschner, MBA
Best wishes for your recovery and advocacy
https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/106303-sfc-joe-s-davis-jr-msm-dsl
https://www.rallypoint.com/profiles/106303-sfc-joe-s-davis-jr-msm-dsl
Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL at AMSEC Cheatham Annex - NAVELSG (Navy Expeditionary Logistics...
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, Army | RallyPoint professional military profile.
(2)
(0)
0
0
0
What scares me about TBI is what CPT Pedro Meza told me that we're all going to start loosing our memories at a much faster rate than civilians. This scary being none of us (to include the Nam guys) are really that old, but our brains are MUCH older. The sharpness that we had while it normally fades as time goes on, accelerates much like NFL/NHL players. I haven't seen or heard of a VA study to see of CTE can be a byproduct of what we do as SM's. If anyone has, please share it. But if the NFL can be sued into acknowledging there is an issue, forced into making policy corrections, why can't the VA? Not asking for money, just adequate care for a condition that isn't on my enlistment contract but, a by product of serving.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google