According to recent studies released by MEDCONNECTVA, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) has reported that between the years of 2000 and 2016, approximately 350,000 incidents of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) have been diagnosed in the U.S. military. Forecasts estimate that 11% — 23% of all deployed personnel will experience a TBI.
Important research has been conducted that conclusively links Dementia to TBIs. Studies support that individuals with a head injury that resulted in a loss of consciousness, increase their risk of dementia by 50%. In one study, conducted with over 500 US Navy and Marine veterans hospitalized for TBI in the Pacific Theater during World War II, patients were clinically assessed 50 years after the injury. The results of that study shows that veterans who sustained a severe TBI were 4 times more likely to ultimately suffer from Dementia when compared to control groups. These are eye-opening statistics. The stakes are high for the men and women of our military.
As a military defense practitioner, I have seen a direct correlation between Soldiers with TBI and violent crimes. These Soldiers deploy overseas, experience incredible trauma or violence, and then are expected to simply “go back to normal.” Unfortunately, it does not always happen that way.
If you are a combat veteran and you are struggling with either PTSD or TBI, get the help that you need. If you seek help and your Command punishes you for it, call us at (877) 268-4214. We are a veteran owned and veteran operated law firm. Our attorneys have seen combat and we know what you’re going through.