Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Veterans
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is just one of many conditions that veterans may develop as a result of their service. Recent research indicates that CTE may develop from head injuries caused by IEDs and other explosions. Many people are familiar with CTE because of the recent new reports regarding CTE development from concussions and other head injuries suffered by football players.
Research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy
CTE often causes depression, anger, and memory problems. It has been linked to frequent blows to the head and was first seen in boxers. A recent CNN article discusses some veterans who appear to be showing signs and symptoms of CTE. This article notes that 10 to 20 percent of Iraqi veterans are suffering from some sort of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A number of research articles have been published on CTE in veterans from blast injuries. Several of these articles demonstrate that blast injuries from conventional blast explosions or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) contribute to the development of CTE. If these articles are correct, many veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years are likely to develop CTE.
The good news is that doctors and other scientists continue to work to better understand the human brain. Better understanding of CTE and other brain injuries should lead to better treatment options for veterans suffering from these injuries.
Applying for VA benefits for chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Veterans that begin to develop problems with depression, memory, and anger should certainly seek medical evaluation and diagnosis. A proper diagnosis will help you understand the problem and get appropriate treatment. Since these symptoms are often caused by military service, veterans suffering from these conditions should also consider applying for disability compensation benefits.
If you decide to apply for benefits, make sure that you use VA’s standard forms when applying for benefits. VA’s 2015 regulation changes require the use of standard forms to apply for benefits.
Questions about veterans benefits
If you have questions about the process of applying for benefits or any other question about veterans benefits, you can have a consultation with one of our attorneys for free. Just call us or complete the “Need Help” form on this page to set up a free consultation.
Travis Studdard is an attorney who focuses on representing veterans in VA disability compensation claims. He regularly writes about issues that are important to veterans and their families.
You can subscribe to his Veterans Disability channel on YouTube.
