WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter to the secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs sent yesterday, Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and a bipartisan group of Veterans’ Affairs and Armed Services committee members urged stronger coordination and better follow up on traumatic brain injury (TBI).

“For the past nine years we have been a nation at war, and traumatic brain injury has become the signature wound.  The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have taken commendable steps to understand and treat TBI, but they must improve collaboration and share what they have learned.  Veterans and their families should not have to wait nearly a decade for the government to adapt to the needs of the wounded,” said Akaka.

The Senators called for specific improvements from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, including:
• Prompt action to finalize and implement DOD’s draft policy mandating evaluation and rest periods for individuals with TBI, and to ensure that existing policies are being adhered to by each military service branch;
• Action to ensure documentation of TBI and follow-up during Post-Deployment Health Assessments and Reassessments;
• Expedited establishment of DOD centers of excellence for military eye injuries, and for hearing loss and amputations;
• Quicker progress to make VA/DOD collaboration and data transfers more robust, comprehensive, and seamless; and
• Making full use of authority granted by Congress for VA to partner with state, local, and community providers to improve access to care and reduce the burden on veterans receiving treatment for TBI, and their family members.

Last month, the Veterans' Affairs Committee held an oversight hearing on the state of care for troops and veterans suffering from TBI.  In January 2008, Congress passed provisions authored by Chairman Akaka and approved by the Veterans' Affairs Committee to reform VA/DOD collaboration and care related to TBI as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.  Akaka continues to work with committee members and others to ensure effective implementation.

To view the letter, click here: LINK

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June 18, 2010