Hi Everyone,

As allot of you know my 24yo son is medically retired from the Army due to his brain injury. We have been fortunate my son has received good care from the military, he has been able to benefit from some of the VA services and has had support from our local DAV. I'm not sure if its been because of pushing the right buttons, knowing the right people or what, but not all vets are as fortunate! Recently I have been contacted by a few other veterans (or their families) to try help them get through some of the bureaucracy of the military / VA system. I have been appalled at some of the stories I have heard in regards to the treatment of military veterans after they have suffered a brain injury. It has been brought to my attention that some state VA programs are much better than others are. DAV although very supportive has a hard time in getting veterans the right assistance. TOO many of the VA medical facilities are over whelmed with patients and can not deal with the issues of brain injury. They find it easier to treat the symptoms instead of the head injury as a whole. 

The problem with all of this is there is a program that was established in 1992, it's called the Defense and Veterans Head Injury Program (DVHIP) RE-Named "Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center" (DVBIC) this program was set up to ensure that military and veterans personnel with brain injury receive the best evaluation, treatment and follow-up. I am afraid to say, in many cases they have fallen short of the original intention! This program is now in it's 10th year and I feel it needs to be addressing some of these issues.

If you have a problem and can't get the answers you need, don't forget about the Brain Injury Association of America, BIA is also there to help you, they work in conjunction with the DVHIP, VA and DoD.  They have a toll free number - 800-444 6443, and a informative website, www.biausa.org.

I hope with my recent contacts with the folks in the BIA some of problem issues can be addressed, I feel there needs to be better cooperation between the DOD, DVHIP and the BIA to get our veterans better care for the long term!

Thank you all! 
Cheryl 

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