Head Injuries 25 Years Ago, Problems Today; Tbi?

[Vync]

Hello everyone,

I have practically no experience with TBI. I read through a number of topics here and on the VA site, but this situation deals with head injuries 25 years ago and possible problems developing recently.

A friend of mine retired from the Army in the late 1980's. He is about 65 years old and served for one year in Vietnam. During the last few years, he had a couple of head injuries occur, but only recently started developing some cognitive problems. He has no family history of mental problems, dementia, or Alzheimer's.

Active Duty Injury 1

He was attending the 5pm cannon/bugle detail, but stood too close to the cannon. When it fired, he passed out cold and fell to the ground.

Active Duty Injury 2

He was walking under the barrel of an artillery cannon and it struck him in the center of his forehead, knocking him to the ground. We discovered this when watching some old videos where he was laying on the couch with an ice pack on his forehead. He lifted the ice pack to reveal a bloody wound and he verbally described what happened.

Over the past year, his family and I have observed the following problems, which have increased in severity:

Memory

- Forgets key events (recent or from years ago)

- May tell you the same story several times, forgetting he told it already

- Gets lost while driving

- Leaves stove on

Poor judgement

- Leaves house unlocked and front door wide open

- Impulse buying (hundreds of dollars) with no regard to his budget

Other

- Easily irritable and frustrated

- Periodically enters a trance-like state and gazes into nothingness

- Less interest in things he previously enjoyed

- Reduced motivation

I helped him start the process of gathering his service and medical records and he has a neurologist follow up appointment later in the week.

Is it possible to have a couple of head injuries 25 years ago, but now just start developing increased TBI-like symptoms?

Are there any factors to look for?

What questions should they ask his doctor?

Thanks

[63SIERRA]

ive been told, humans dont have a sense of direction like other creatures , we rely on mostly short terrn memory to get around,

I recall an old man who couldnt remember much, and his reasoning was there was so much knowledge in his head. there wasnt much room for much else.. lol He told me this as he stood im line at mc donalds in his boxers.

[free_spirit_etc]

http://www.va.gov/vetapp09/Files5/0943216.txt

In the case of any Veteran who engaged in combat with the
enemy in active service with a military, naval or air
organization of the United States during a period of war the
Secretary shall accept as sufficient proof of service-
connection of any disease or injury alleged to have been
incurred in or aggravated by such service satisfactory lay or
other evidence of service incurrence or aggravation of such
injury or disease, if consistent with the circumstances,
conditions, or hardships of such service, notwithstanding the
fact that there is no official record of such incurrence or
aggravation in such service, and, to that end, shall resolve
every reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran. 38 U.S.C.A.
§ 1154(b).

. ive heard that if you file something during combat the va is suposed to take your word for it.

[john999]

Over the last 40 years the VA has accused me of lying and faking it. This is standard for them. They believed nothing but the bad stuff I told them about experience in Vietnam. I mean "misconduct" they believed, but anything that would support a DX that would cost them money they tended to dispute. I won the disputes, mostly.

[free_spirit_etc]

I know John. I posted the "rule" because Sierra asked about it. But I wouldn't count on it. I get so upset when I read some of the decisions, and some of the stuff VA examiners say. Our vets don't deserve that....

[john999]

Regarding TBI these can't last a life time. My father-in-law had a severe TBI from bomb concussion in WWII. He was never the same again, and was often psychotic and dangerous. His moods and behavior could turn on a dime. He was not like that I am told before the war. The Marines booted him out just as fast as he could remember his own name after the TBI. He got in trouble the rest of his life due to this injury.

[meghp0405]

63sierra,

speak with your primary care manager about those injuries and the symptoms that you are experiencing today. Ask for an evaluation for TBI. The evaluation is in depth. The test consists of many personal interviews along with cognitive testing. let the test results speak for themselves..