TBI

It is regularly called the signature wound of the war in Iraq. It can happen when a Humvee rolls over, when a soldier finds himself the victim of a sniper's bullet, or when an improvised explosive device detonates nearby.

It is Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, and it can cause sleep disorders, memory problems and depression. Any troop within the vicinity of a blast is at risk, meaning tens and perhaps hundred of thousands of veterans will be affected. For many, the symptoms may be relatively mild, and the condition often goes undiagnosed. Gary Watts, a soldier who suffered TBI when his truck rolled down an embankment in Iraq, said that he initially had only 'a sore neck and a bad, bad headache.'1 Later, his TBI caused memory lapses and emotional outbursts.

In our 2007 Legislative Agenda, IAVA continued to lead the fight on TBI issues, calling for mandatory TBI screenings for all combat troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Then in April, an independent review group, appointed by Defense Secretary Gates to respond to the problems at Walter Reed, recommended troops be screened before and after their deployments. IAVA also worked with ABC on 'Bob Woodruff: To Iraq and Back', a powerful segment that follows Woodruff's long recovery from TBI, and looks at the care veterans with TBI are getting when they come home. This historic program shifted the debate and made TBI treatment a central issue for the nation. If you missed it the first time, you can watch it online.




Now, the VA has taken notice. This week, they issued a directive announcing that beginning in the spring, all troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who seek VA care will be screened for TBI. This is a major step in the right direction, and it's a major victory for IAVA and supporters like you. By reading these emails, keeping up on the issues, calling or writing Congress, and spreading the word to your friends, you really are making a difference. But there's more work to do.

This new policy will only affect the 1/3 of discharged Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans who have voluntarily sought medical care with the VA. The other 2/3 of discharged troops, approximately 400,000 young men and women, will not be screened. That's why we're calling for mandatory screenings for all troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Every single one of them.

Detecting and treating the invisible wounds of war is essential to ensuring the health of our newest veterans and the strength of our future fighting force.
In the coming months, we'll be fighting to ensure that this policy is broadened, and we'll need your help. Your commitment and support have made IAVA the most powerful new veterans group in the nation. Thank you for standing with us.

Rob Timmins
Iraq Veteran
Field Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
Sources:
"Hidden Wounds Plague GIs", The Denver Post, April 16, 2007

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Today, as a result of Veterans for America's work at Fort Carson, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators called on the Government Accountability Office to launch an investigation into the treatment of servicemembers suffering from PTSD and other mental health conditions as a result of their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I'm writing to let you know about this important milestone in our work. Please see the letter from the Senators, as well as this article in Army Times.

We also ask for your continued support for our work. You can help us continue this work by making a donation today at:

Veterans for America - Donate

As always, thank you for your continued support of Veterans for America.

Sincerely,

Bobby Muller
President