VA hosts conference on traumatic brain injury

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) held a two-day summit focusing on the treatment and research of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Washington, D.C.

During his opening remarks at the conference on Aug. 24, VA Secretary Robert McDonald said that investing in TBI research can help solve the many problems that veterans face, such as homelessness, suicide and unemployment.

The VA Traumatic Brain Injury State of the Art Research Summit brought together more than 300 leading TBI researchers from around the United States, representatives from various VA regional medical centers and members of nonprofit organizations. “We need your expertise and your experience. We need you to tell us what resources you need for the VA to be nationally and internationally acknowledged as the leader in TBI research, diagnoses and treatment,” said McDonald.

Since 2001, more than 327,000 service members have been diagnosed with head injuries, according to the Congressional Research Service. But that number could be higher since not all head injuries, such as mild concussions, are reported. According to researchers, many veterans may have a TBI despite not showing symptoms.

The summit addressed a range of TBI-related topics including head injury diagnosis, care and long-term rehabilitation for veterans with TBI, pain management, innovations in health care and the direction of future research. Experts also assessed past TBI research and discussed the current understanding of the injury.

McDonald emphasized that along with developing new, cutting-edge treatments for TBI, it is essential to be able to predict its long-term effects. He said that some of the health care problems the VA has faced over the past years are due to its inability to predict future needs or to secure resources to meet demands.

Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800

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