Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health condition that can result in many debilitating problems and are a sadly common occurrence among veterans. And yet, TBIs are poorly understood, and treatments for TBI are limited in terms of both their availability and effectiveness. Therefore, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) have dedicated $50 million to TBI research.
The new initiative, dubbed the Long-Term Impact of Military-related Brain Injury Consortium (LIMBIC), is dedicated to researching TBI, including both its effects and possible treatments. LIMBIC is a partnership of both public and private parties, including the VA, DOD, and the National Institute of Health, as well as several universities and nonprofit organizations. Spearheading the effort is Dr. David X. Cifu, a TBI specialist and professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Previous TBI research has already show that even mild brain injuries are linked to conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain, and has shown a link between these conditions and substance abuse (particularly opioid abuse), as well as an increased risk of suicide. They have also developed new tests for detecting TBI, such as questionnaires, brain scans, fluid biomarkers and electrophysiology, which also help learn about how the brain heals when it’s injured. The hope of the LIMBIC initiative is that it will be able to determine more about the effects of TBIs to enable better treatments and help those currently suffering as a result of TBI, including veterans with TBI-linked disabilities.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. With over 50 years of combined experience between its lawyers, our attorneys may be able to assist you or a loved one in obtaining VA disability benefits. Call our office at (800) 395 -7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
