Injury Tally Misses Brain Trauma

20K troops omitted from casualty list
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 23, 2007 4:37 PM CST
Injury Tally Misses Brain Trauma
Eric O'Brien, 32, an Army staff sergeant, tries to remember places he is to look for and the tasks he is to perform as he prepares to take a walk on campus with occupational therapist Jenny Owens, right, at Vanderbilt Medical Center Aug. 2, 2007 in Nashville, Tenn. As a result of a rocket attack on...   (Associated Press)

More than 20,000 service members not classified as wounded in combat have signs of brain injury, according to an examination of records by USA Today. The actual number of troops with brain trauma suffered in Iraq or Afghanistan was more than five times the official tally, meaning that the true US casualty count could be much higher than reported.

Some 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans surveyed in VA hospitals showed some signs of brain injury, often as a result of a blast. Troops sometimes fail to recognize the symptoms of brain injury. A Pentagon consultant said those whose wounds were discovered only after they left Iraq were not on the official casualty list, but the brass is working to deal with the issue. (More Iraq stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X