Lawmakers urge VA to study blast injuries

Lawmakers call for in-depth VA study on blast pressure injuries

U.S. troops conducting a blast pressure exercise.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee members are pushing federal researchers to investigate the impact of repetitive low-level blast injuries on veterans' mental health. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced the Precision Brain Health Research Act. The act would mandate a 10-year study on blast injuries, which are caused by high-pressure waves from explosions. The two lawmakers hope the findings will lead to additional protections for troops using heavy artillery.

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VA health system remains on federal 'high risk' list due to oversight shortfalls

Offices monitoring risk management, medical investigations, and internal audits within the Veterans Health Administration continue to land on the GAO’s high-risk list. According to the GAO, the VHA has primarily struggled to implement the goals it set when reorganizing its oversight offices this year, including the one responsible for reviewing investigations into alleged medical malpractice and providing recommendations to improve system-wide safety.

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Medal of Honor's earliest recipients now eligible for VA-furnished grave markers

Headstones in a row with an American flag next to each
one.

The Mark Our Place Act authorizes the VA Secretary to furnish or replace a headstone, marker, or medallion for the grave of an eligible Medal of Honor recipient regardless of the recipient's dates of service in the armed forces, and for other purposes. Signed into law Nov. 24, the legislation overturned restrictions that kept the VA from providing the recognition at older gravesites out of concern for preserving their historic value, according to congressional documents.

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Can you get a VA rating for REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)?

REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is an uncommon sleep disorder that causes people to lash out in their sleep. A connection between RBD, PTSD, and TBIs has been reported in several studies. Because TBIs and PTSD are common conditions among veterans, many veterans may also experience RBD and want to know if it can be service-connected for VA disability.

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Syfovre® injections lawsuit

If you or a loved one used the prescription eye injection Syfovre® to treat geographic atrophy and later developed retinal vasculitis or retinal vascular occlusion, you may be owed compensation.