VA admits TBI exams mishandled
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently sent letters to 25,000 veterans nationwide admitting that traumatic brain injury(TBI) examinations between 2007 and 2015 were not handled properly.
“They were not conducted by properly qualified neurological and psychiatric specialists, resulting in not only potential misdiagnosis, but disability compensation claims that may have been unfairly denied,” according to an article by FOX 47-News. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” veteran Kenneth McDonald told FOX 47, who detailed the trouble getting a diagnosis at Detroit’s VA. “I knew they weren’t gonna recognize it.”
Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI), often called the signature wound of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, occurs when a sudden trauma or head injury disrupts the function of the brain. Common causes of TBI include damage caused by explosive devices, falls and vehicle or motorcycle accidents. Most reported TBI among Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom service members and veterans has been traced back to Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, used extensively against Coalition Forces, according to Military.com.
TBI may happen from a blow or jolt to the head or an object penetrating the brain. When the brain is injured, the person can experience a change in consciousness that can range from becoming disoriented and confused to slipping into a coma. The person might also have a loss of memory for the time immediately before or after the event that caused the injury.
The letter has led to lawmakers on Capitol Hill raising questions.
“We don’t have numbers on how many of those contacted have actually shown up to get retested. We’ve also learned, vets have less than 7 months from today to do so and apply for benefits if rediagnosed,” according to the article. “TBI is caused by trauma to the brain and can be mild or serious,” says Rep. Ralph Abraham. TBI is also referred to as the invisible disease, because it can be difficult to detect,” says Abraham.”
Making the proper diagnosis, by the proper doctor, is essential.
If you are a veteran concerned about your original TBI exam, you can call the VA hotline at: 1-800-749-8387.
