Handling TBI-Related Veterans' Benefits Claims
Were you traumatized by an explosion of an IED (improvised explosive device) in Iraq or Afghanistan or elsewhere while you were serving our country through military service? Despite your protective helmet and other gear, you may have experienced a concussive effect that now impacts your health and well-being. Perhaps you are unable to work or are otherwise impeded in your ability to enjoy life as you did before the brain injury, whether it is classified as mild or catastrophic.
Contact Us for Help With Your Traumatic Brain Injury-Related VA Claim
Schwartz Law Firm is a member of Lawyers for Veterans Claims (LVC). LVC is a national veterans' law practice located in Michigan. We are attorneys dedicated to helping those who bravely served our country get the benefits they were promised for their military service.
Contact Schwartz Law Firm to schedule a consultation to discuss your brain injury case. We are prepared to work with you no matter where you are in the United States.
IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan Have Resulted in Many Head Injuries
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) - also called "acquired brain injury" or simply "head injury" - occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. The heavy use of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in Iraq and Afghanistan are to blame for many of the cases currently under review by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Do You Have Classic Symptoms of Mild TBI?
Symptoms of mild TBI include headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes. Other symptoms may be ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy. A change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention or thinking can also be indicative of this disorder.
More Severe TBI
Persons with more severe traumatic brain injury can have these symptoms but may also experience a headache that gets worse or doesn't go away. If an individual suffers from repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, or an inability to awaken from sleep, immediate care should be sought. Also, dilation of one or both pupils, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, increased confusion, restlessness or agitation are highly suspicious indicators that need to be addressed by a health professional.
Prevalence of TBI Among Combat Veterans or Currently Serving Troops
A recent estimate by the Rand Corporation think tank placed 320,000 current or former combat troops as among those that may have suffered a brain injury. The vast majority of brain injuries, or concussions suffered in combat, are mild, but previous estimates by the military indicate that one-fifth of brain injuries cause symptoms that last a year or more. The worst symptoms appear in soldiers who lost consciousness.
Research Studies by the Department of Defense
In response to this, the Department of Defense (DoD) has agreed to spend $300 million for research on TBI and a related condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While this is welcome news, the downside is that it will take 18 months to five years for the studies to be completed. In the meantime, as an attorney practicing veterans' law, I expect to see a rise in these types of claims.
File a Claim if You Have Symptoms, Even Before Diagnosis
It is important to file a disability claim with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) if you have experienced a head injury in service and suffer from any of these symptoms. This is true even if you have not yet been diagnosed with TBI. You may wish to keep a journal or log as a record of your symptoms so this information can be related to a health professional as your claim is under development.
Contact Our Michigan Law Firm to Schedule a Free Consultation
For a free initial consultation to discuss a potential claim for VA benefits on the basis of a traumatic brain injury suffered during military service contact our Michigan lawyers of Lawyers for Veterans Claims (LVC) today. The Schwartz Law Firm, a member of LVC, is conveniently located in Oakland County in southeastern Michigan off of I-275 and I-696. We are confident in our ability to earn your trust.
