According to an article in the San Diego Union Tribune, a four year VA study that included members from four battalions of the 1st Marine Division is showing that brain injury is the strongest predictor of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD are two of the biggest conditions affecting veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This study was probably the most comprehensive to date. It included over 1650 marines who were members of the 1st Marine Battalion. The researchers conducting the study saw every Marine in the study both before and after a seven month deployment to either Iraq or Afghanistan. The Sand Diego Union Tribune article indicates that the study is the first of its kind to indicate that brain trauma increases the risk of developing PTSD, even when the brain injury is “mild”.
Research being conducted about TBI and PTSD
There is extensive research being conducted so that doctors can better understand and treat both PTSD and TBI. In particular, one study has indicated that TBI increases a person’s susceptibility to pain. Other studies have indicated that there is a relationship between PTSD and inflammation. Our understanding of PTSD and TBI should increase with further studies and further analysis of the data in the studies that have already been conducted. Hopefully VA will make even more changes in how PTSD and TBI are treated in applications for veterans disability compensation benefits to reflect this new knowledge.
Questions about veterans benefits
If you have questions about veterans disability compensation benefits, call the phone number at the upper right of this page for a free consultation with one of our attorneys accredited to handle veterans disability compensation claims. You can also e-mail us your questions by completing the “Need Help” form on the right of this page.
