Report Release: Veterans for America Finds Care for PTSD and TBI ...( Psychological Traumas and Traumat...),Health

Psychological Traumas and Traumatic Brain Injuries: The Signature Wounds of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Veterans for America's "Trends in Treatment of America's Wounded Warriors" identifies a number of interrelated trends adversely affecting servicemembers and veterans suffering from the "signature wounds" of Iraq and Afghanistan - traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological traumas.

This report is the result of VFA's aggressive investigative program which identifies deficiencies in the treatment of service-connected neurological and/or mental health problems.

VFA investigators have visited every demobilization site in the United States and overseas, where they have monitored the quality of treatment, family support, rehabilitation, and other services that should enable a wounded servicemember to readjust to civilian life.

VFA has found that medical care for mental health and TBI is often inadequate or poorly delivered, and when a servicemember is discharged, decisions are often made by the military that negatively affect veterans for the rest of their lives.

VFA has also found that little consideration is given to TBI or PTSD in the military justice system despite the fact that these wounds are known to cause improper behavior.

Lack of capabilities to treat these injuries, inadequate adherence to the Congressional inquiry process, and the inability or unwillingness to treat PTSD and TBI as wounds of equal legitimacy as physical injuries are some problems that require improved military leadership.

This report incorporates VFA investigative findings with open-source DoD and other reports and articles to provide a comprehensive picture of the state of care for America's wounded warriors.

According to retired Brigadier General Dr. Stephen N. Xenakis, former Commanding General of the Southeast Regional Army Medical Command: "VFA's re
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