The National Library of Medicine found that there have been about 450,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from the U.S. military in the 21st century, and many of these cases go unreported. A TBI is a serious and dangerous injury that remains common for those who serve in the military.
It is very important to assess yourself and determine if you struggle with a TBI, as there are medical and therapeutic solutions that may help you cope. Veterans can even apply for disability benefits due to their brain injury that came from active duty.
A TBI can be caused by any injury that impacts your head, like a bump, jolt, or serious blow. From a military perspective, it is common for a TBI to occur during military training, deployment, or even in civilian activities. TBIs often go untreated when they are a result of a blast or explosion since servicemembers are often focused on the danger of the active situation and on other injuries they may have sustained.
Brain injuries have a range of symptoms and the severity can be mild (the vast majority of cases), moderate, or severe. The following are common symptoms Veterans should look out for when assessing if he or she is suffering from a TBI:
There are other ways a TBI can manifest, such as dizziness, motor impairment, imbalance, and in severe cases, a TBI can result in a coma.
Try not to ignore your medical and mental symptoms, even if they are minor. Keep an eye on everything you are feeling, as it could indicate a potential brain injury. Consider getting professional help in the following ways:
Dealing with your TBI is uncomfortable and difficult, and it can feel better in the short-term to brush it off and hope the symptoms go away, but your long-term health depends on how you address it right now.
If you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury, you are not alone, and it extremely important to seek help. Many Veterans suffer in silence because they are too afraid to speak up but reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
Beyond surviving and managing your TBI, you may find that the previously mentioned medical and therapeutic solutions come with a hefty price. If you are a Veteran with a traumatic brain injury as a result of your military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Reach out to a VA disability lawyer to find out if you are eligible for these benefits – at no cost to you.
