Brain Injury & Soldiers

Brain Injuries & Soldiers

Estimates for brain injury are calculated by Department of Defense (DOD) and the Veteran's Administration(VA) as those soldiers who have serious injuries, enough to keep them from returning to their regular duties. These estimates range from a low of 20% to a high of 65%, depending on who is doing the counting. (President's Commission)

Approximately 25,000 U.S. troops are or have been treated for brain trauma received during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. (VA)

As many as 150,000 troops may have suffered head injuries in combat. (CBITF)

For the first time, the U.S. military is treating more head injuries than chest or abdominal wounds. (WRAMC)

Two-thirds of all soldiers wounded in Iraq who don't immediately return to duty have traumatic brain injuries. (WRAMC)

As many as one-third of all combat forces are at risk of TBI. (VA)

In Iraq and Afghanistan, the ratio of wounded service members to fatalities is 16 to 1. During the Vietnam War, the ration was 2.6 to 1. (VA)]

$14 billion is the projected cost of medical care for soldiers with brain injury over the next 20 years. (DOD)

Approximately 30% of Kentucky veterans who served in Iraq (OIF) and Afghanistan(OEF) seek support from Kentucky VA hospitals (VA)

• 2100 have signed up for care from the Lexington VA
• 2300 have signed up for care from the Louisville VA
• 23% tested positive for a brain injury

References:

VA and Military Base Records (VA)
Congressional Brain Injury Task Force (CBITF)
Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)
Department of Defense (DOD)
Report of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, July 2007