VCS Estimate Proven Correct

Apr. 17: VCS Estimate Proven Correct, New Study Finds 320,000 Brain Injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

Pauline Jelinek


Associated Press

Apr 17, 2008

On February 7, 2008, Veterans for Common Sense testified before Congress and estimated 320,000 potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Now a new study by the RAND Corporation confirms our estimates for TBI and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Now, more than ever, the military and VA must develop a comprehensive joint plan so that all Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans are examined for both TBI and PTSD, and that they are provided prompt and high-quality healthcare. This should reduce stigma and reduce long-term problems associated with untreated mental health conditions.

The bottom line from the RAND study shows that 30 percent of our veterans, or nearly 600,000, can expect to return home with PTSD, TBI, or major depression. The cost to U.S. taxpayers is in the billions per year, as correctly estimated by Harvard Professor Linda Bilmes and Columbia University Professor Joseph Stiglitz, in their book, "The Three Trillion Dollar War."

Item #1 of 2: 300,000 vets have mental problem, 320,000 brain injuries
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http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/9859

Aside from Paul Sullivan, no one has been listening to people like me screaming about what was coming. 600,000 is for today but with PTSD comes a process of years. This will go a lot higher. As we've already seen with the older veterans coming to terms with PTSD, it is not a matter of the signs of PTSD being seen with devastating consequences, it is they are not aware of what is causing them. Even now, we're seeing veterans of WWII coming forward seeking help because they finally know what it is. There are many, far too many across the nation who still have not heard of PTSD or TBI. This is a very concerning issue for anyone dealing with taking care of them. Too many will suffer as PTSD and TBI damage progresses needlessly. The DOD and the VA have to do greater outreach efforts to make sure everyone knows what these two signature wounds of Iraq and Afghanistan are. As of right now we are looking at 800,000 and that is a low estimate of what we will have to face.