ptsd PTSD/ TBI definition question?

[Crossfit702]

What is consider a TBI when it comes to disability claim? I've taken quite a few blows to the head during my time in the Navy, but I wouldn't consider them traumatic because my skull is intact and has never actually been cracked. Here are a few examples, please tell me if they apply:

- logs dropped on my head at BUD/S (happens to everyone, quite common)

-running into the wall during an underwater spring in rescue swimmer school (multiple time and common)

-blow to the face during a firefight by a faulty door handle on a pressure lock door. It destroyed my SCBA regulator and left me with a busted blood vessel in the eye but that was about it

I doubt this is what they mean by traumatic brain injury, but if it is please let me know.

[Berta]

TBIs are usually considered as closed head injuries...in other words, football players who end up with a concussion, do not usually have a cracked skull, but an MRI could reveal that a significant TBI occurred from the injury.

There were many instances in Vietnam for example, whereby a hidden land mine was tripped and cause either death or serious concussions to anyone near the blast. But not an open skull injury, yet probably a TBI and during that war VA knew nothing about TBIs.

 

I suggest you go over the TBI forum here carefully as to what can cause TBI and also how they rate the residuals of TBI.

Even if a vet proves they were knocked unconscious by something ( we had an inservice boxer's wife here once who claimed her husband suffered inservice TBIs from that) they also have to prove they have resulting ratable disabilities from the TBI.

 

 

[Silent Uproar]

Usually when you get hit hard enough and get knocked unconscious. I had 2 and was  unconscious  for 15 minutes the first time and 10 minutes the 2nd and my skull was cracked the 2nd time. The Va still only gave me 10% for the 2nd one. Finally found the records of the first one .

Edited April 3, 2016 by Silent Uproar

[Crossfit702]

Thanks Berta and Silent Uproar, Fortunately it was not as bad for me. However, Silent Uproar I don't know if you have been told and if you have I'm not sorry to sound like a broken record, but 10-15 minutes unconscious after a blow to the head is very serious and this is not coming from someone feeling sorry for you but from someone who has actual medical knowledge on this although not a doctor. As a rescue swimmer someone in a situation like the two you just mentioned is 100% top priority and even after being conscious you are not moving an inch from my med-board and I would go as far as restraining the person with heavy duty restraints until most exams were done. It is crazy to hear this and even crazier to hear that you only got 10% that is ridiculous and unacceptable!