Veterans
Resources for Returning Servicemembers and Their Families
About Traumatic Brain Injury:
DoD Force Health Protection and Readiness Fact Sheets
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Educational Sheet
- TBI & PTSD Quick Facts (Combat Trauma Quick Facts)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Quick Facts, Jun 07
- Issues Facing Returning Veterans (Nov. 2007), A Chaplain’s Reflections on Combat Experience Offers Insights into Returning Veterans’ Needs
State Resources:
- Massachusetts Brain Injury and Statewide Specialized Community Services Program
- North Carolina Statewide Family Help Line: (800) 377-1464
- Vermont Traumatic Brain Injury Program
- Virginia Brain Injury Community Based Services
Federal Resources for Returning Servicemembers and Their Families:
The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) launched a public awareness campaign May 2009 that focuses on combating the stigma associated with seeking care and treatment for psychological health concerns. The Real Warriors Campaign Web site includes original, up-to-date articles that address a variety of the issues facing our military. Additionally, the campaign shares service-specific resources for warriors (http://www.realwarriors.net/resources) and highlights federal, state, military and non-profit organizations supporting service members and their families, like NASHIA. The site also features a message board. Service members can also stay connected to the campaign and to each other via the campaign’s social networking tools including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The Compensation and Benefits Handbook This handbook was compiled in cooperation with the Departments of Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and the Social Security Administration. Additionally; there are references to assistance provided by other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations.
The electronic version of the handbook can be found on the five Web sites listed below:
http://turbotap.org
https://www.nko.navy.mil
http://www.npc.navy.mil
https://www.aw2.army.mil
https://www.my.af.mil/gcss-C&BHandbookMyArmyBenefits is the official Army benefits website serving the Regular Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Family Members, and Retirees.The My Benefits section produces personalized survivor and retirement benefit reports for active duty Soldiers and Family Members. It provides a complete financial forecast that includes your investments, insurance, and SGLI. It also provides a "what if" capability that shows how life events, such as getting married, having children, or retiring at a projected date and rank, affect your financial picture. The site also contains a complete set of fact sheets on state and federal benefits.
US Veterans Health Care Benefits This is a 32-page guide produced by MilitaryHandbooks.com, and includes general information on VA benefits and services.
SAMHSA’s Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families
VA’s Facilities Locator and Directory
VA's Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents (2007 Edition) - English [PDF 1020 KB] or Spanish [PDF 600 KB]
Other Resources:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/default.aspx
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454.
Para información en español haga clic aquí.
Organizations:
- Brain Injury Association of America
- National Disability Rights Network
- Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury ()
Resources for State and Community TBI Programs
Overview of TBI & PTSD:
Tips for Communicating with People with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
DoD Force Health Protection and Readiness Fact Sheets
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Educational Sheet
TBI & PTSD Quick Facts (Combat Trauma Quick Facts)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Quick Facts, Jun 07
Overview of State Programs and Activities:
Summary: State Legislation on TBI and Returning Servicemembers, Oct. 1, 2008 A compilation of state legislative efforts to address returning troops and veterans compiled by NASHIA, October 1, 2008.
Role of State Government in Serving Returning Soldiers with TBI, NASHIA
State Planning:
The RI Blueprint A handbook that provides recommendations to the Rhode Island National Guard and the VA about how to reform the system, February 2008.
Family Supports:
Operation: Military Kids The State of Missouri and county University of Missouri Extension staff, community agencies, schools, and 4-H Club youth are reaching out to military youth…before, during and after their parents are deployed.
Federal Resources:
SAMHSA’s Resources for Returning Veterans and Their Families
VA’s Facilities Locator and Directory
VA's Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents (2007 Edition) - English [PDF 1020 KB] or Spanish [PDF 600 KB]
Organizations and Contacts:
- Brain Injury Association of America
- National Disability Rights Network
- Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury
- National Guard Transition Coordinators
- State Veterans Affairs Office Contacts
Publications:
Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: May/June 2008 Newsletter
Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery April 2008 Issue. This is a comprehensive study conducted by RAND of the post-deployment health-related needs associated with three conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury, among OEF/OIF veterans, the health care system in place to meet those needs, gaps in the care system, and the costs associated with these conditions and with providing quality health care to all those in need.
Evidence-Based Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Federal Agency Watch by the HRSA TBI Technical Assistance Center at NASHIA. A synthesis of Federal agency news sent on a quarterly basis on activities related to veterans and traumatic brain injury:
2008 Nov Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 40.5 KB]
2008 Sep Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 100 KB]
2008 June Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 87 KB]
2008 Mar Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 36 KB]
2007 Dec Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 127 KB]
2007 Aug Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 119 KB]
2007 Jun Veterans and Brain Injury Issue [PDF 98 KB]New England Journal of Medicine: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in U.S. Solders Returning from Iraq; January 31, 2008.
Findings: Of the 2,500 Iraq soldiers surveyed, nearly 15 percent reported injuries associated with mild TBI. Compared to soldiers with other injuries, these individuals reported significantly higher rates of physical and mental health problems. These cases of mild TBI were also significantly associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Government Accountability Office: DOD Health Care: Mental Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Screening Efforts Implemented, but Consistent Pre-Deployment Medical Record Review Policies Needed
Findings: Pursuant to the FY 2007 John Warner National Defense Authorization Act, DOD added TBI screening questions to the pre-deployment health assessment in January 2008. Beginning in July 2008, DOD plans to require screening of all service members for mild TBI prior to deployment in order to provide a baseline against which individuals can be assessed post-deployment.
Government Accountability Office: VA Health Care: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Screening and Evaluation Implemented for OEF/OIF Veterans, but Challenges Remain; February 2008
Findings: In April 2007, VA facilities implemented a national protocol for the evaluation and treatment of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans who may have a mild TBI, including adoption of a computer-based screening tool. Some facilities had difficulty in following the protocols, and the largest challenge faced by the screening program is the lack of evidence to the validity and reliability of the screening tool.
Veteran’s Health Administration: Understanding the Effects of Blasts on the Brain; April 2008
Findings: The VA and the Office of Naval Research are funding research to understand the biological effects of blasts on the brain. Findings from the research will be used to design therapies that can be administered in the combat zone to troops as a preventive measure or after a blast has occurred to stem damage to the brain. The research also contains a genetic component that aims to identify genes that may get activated in brain injury. Figuring out a way to turn off those genes with a drug could be a breakthrough for the treatment of brain injury on the battlefield and in field hospitals.
Veteran’s Administration Inspector General: VA’s Role in Ensuring Services for OEF/OIF Veterans after Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation; May 1, 2008
Findings: Of VA patients who initially received inpatient rehabilitation for TBI in 2005, many continue to have significant disabilities. For these patients, significant needs remain unmet, including primarily long-term case management.
