Traumatic Brain Injury: Iraq Brain Injuries Focus of Bill

A bill that would establish a special panel in the Department of Veterans Affairs for soldier brain injuries. The Caring for Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2007 says that a panel needs to assess the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' ability to treat brain-injured veterans make recommendations on new policies for care and rehabilitation.

Troop Brain Injuries Focus of Bill

The Pentagon says that up to one-third of Iraq veterans have been exposed to explosive devices during their tenure in Iraq; the impact of these devices detonating is enough to cause brain injury. Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, says that the bill is needed because: "(Traumatic brain injury) is pretty significant: Half of our injuries are TBI-related now. I know they have good treatment, but there are a lot that have minor TBI. Basically, we wanted to get out ahead of this issue and give the (VA) secretary some guidance on this issue."