July 18, 2007

Lawmakers gain better understanding of traumatic brain injury

Washington, D.C. —The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs today held a symposium on traumatic brain injury (TBI) to examine services available to servicemembers and veterans with head trauma and injury.  “With better equipment and advanced medical care on the front lines, more of our soldiers are surviving battle injuries than in any previous war,” stated Ranking Republican Member Buyer (R-Ind).  “However, because a majority of the injuries are caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the nature and extent of the injuries our soldiers are returning home with may be complex and severe.”

This past April, the President received recommendations from the Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.  Among its recommendations was that the Department of Veterans Affairs screen all veterans from the Global War on Terror for traumatic brain injury.  VA preceded the Task Force recommendation by issuing a directive for the screening and evaluation of possible TBI in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans earlier that same month.  “It is important that Congress and VA learn about these subtleties of diagnosis, as we begin treatment of our returning OIF/OEF veterans.  We as policymakers must have a better understanding of the effects of TBI and ways to provide an accurate diagnosis and enhance treatment,” Buyer said.

Attending the Symposium was retired Air Force Colonel Peter Bunce, whose son is a retired Marine Corporal who served in OIF and sustained a TBI.  Col. Bunce spoke of the challenges for coordinating the care between VA and Department of Defense, and services available for TBI patients. 

Recognizing the complexity of navigating the system, Buyer acknowledged, “the need for a patient centric case management system to provide the best possible care in the best setting for veteran or servicemember dealing with TBI.” 

Dave Woodruff, Chairman of the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury, emphasized the need for commitment to assist servicemembers and veterans in their recovery processes, and engage in research to provide the best possible care. 

Dr. Richard Hodder from the Northeast Center for Special Care in Lake Katrine, NY, highlighted the challenges in providing care by stating, “TBI recovery is rebuilding a life.” 

Also providing statements were representatives from the Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Matters, Inc. and representatives from a number of medical schools throughout the country. 

 

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:

http://www.republicans.veterans.house.gov/

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