Trends in the epidemiology of disability related to traumatic brain injury in the US Army and Marine Corps: 2005 to 2010

• Published in: The journal of head trauma rehabilitation Vol. 29; no. 1; p. 65
• Main Authors: Gubata, Marlene E, Packnett, Elizabeth R, Blandford, Caitlin D, Piccirillo, Amanda L, Niebuhr, David W, Cowan, David N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Afghan Campaign 2001; Brain Injuries - diagnosis; Brain Injuries - epidemiology; Compensation and Redress; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disability Evaluation; Eligibility Determination - trends; Female; Humans; Incidence; Iraq War, 2003-2011; Male; Retirement; United States; Veterans - statistics & numerical data; Veterans Disability Claims - trends; United States
• ISSN: 1550-509X
• DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0b013e318295f590

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been recognized as a major public health issue for several decades. Despite technological advancements in protective equipment and medical care available during recent military conflicts, TBI is the most common neurological condition among Soldiers and Marines evaluated for discharge from service. This study describes the demographic, service-related, and disability characteristics of Soldiers and Marines referred for combat-related TBI disability evaluation. Cross-sectional analysis of Soldiers and Marines evaluated for combat-related disability between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2010 was performed. Traumatic brain injury cases were identified using the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities code for TBI and compared with other combat-related disabilities. Combat-related TBI disability rates have significantly increased in both the Army and the Marine Corps since 2005. Significantly more unfitting conditions are present on average in combat-related TBI cases than in other combat-related disability cases. Combat-related TBI disability cases are more likely to be medically retired than other types of combat-related disability. Because veterans with combat-related TBI disabilities are likely to require chronic care for TBI-associated medical conditions, disability evaluation policy and programs must ensure that combat-related TBI disabilities are accurately identified and compensated, and the potential long-term care needs are addressed.