Veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries may qualify for more compensation given recent changes in evaluations conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
According to the Associated Press, compensation for veterans suffering traumatic brain injuries will now be based on the expectation that the injuries may cause some veterans to lose up to 40 percent of their potential lifetime earnings. Under the new regulation, veterans suffering these types of serious personal injuries will now be classified as 40 percent disabled, rather than the existing 10 percent.
Regulation Requires Better Compensation among Veterans
The purpose of the changes is to ensure injured veterans receive the compensation they need and deserve.
"These important regulatory changes will allow VA decision makers to better assess the consequences of these injuries and ensure veterans are properly compensated for their residual effects," said secretary of Veteran Affairs, James B. Peake, MD.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Veterans
According to reports, soldier serving in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer traumatic brain injuries from homemade roadside bombs, also known as improvised explosive devises.
While most of these blasts result in immediate injuries and loss of consciousness, they can also cause permanent neurological impairment. Injuries include chronic headaches, loss of memory, slower thinking, insomnia, irritation and depression.
New Regulation Goes into Affect Next Month
The new regulation will go into affect in approximately 30 days. Veterans who are already receiving compensation for traumatic brain injuries are eligible to have their cases reviewed to see if they qualify for additional compensation.
As of September 2008, more than 22,000 veterans are suffering from and being compensated for traumatic brain injuries. Of these, more than 5,800 were injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Findings published in a recent RAND Corporation study projects that of the 1.7 million troops that have served in Iraq, up to 320,000 of them may have suffered a traumatic brain injury.
(Source: Medscape Medical News)
For more information about the new regulation or for general information regarding compensation for victims of traumatic brain injuries, contact us today to speak to a qualified personal injury attorney.
Search for a Personal Injury lawyer in your state or province by using the forms to the right.
Let us help you locate a personal injury attorney. Enter the zip code in which you were injured below.
USA ZIP
For Canadian Law Firms