A recent Associated Press story in the Boston Herald contained one U.S. Representative’s assertion how traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become the signature injury in the Iraq War and then detailed how legislators are trying to improve treatment for this devastating personal injury. Representative Michael Michaud of Maine explained that many men and women could be currently serving in the Iraq War and have TBI without even knowing it since some of its symptoms present themselves in more subtle ways. Some war analysts estimated in the story that TBI symptoms may manifest themselves in as many as 15 percent of military personnel who have served or will serve in the Iraq War.

With such information in mind, various U.S. legislators have proposed legislation that would provide for more research and better screening of traumatic brain injury. Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine just recently joined presidential hopeful and fellow Senator Barack Obama from Illinois in introducing the Lane Evans Veterans Health and Benefit Improvement Act of 2007. This measure would screen soldiers specifically for TBI.

Another U.S. Senator from Maine, Susan Collins, has also introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve treatment of traumatic brain injury and also expand current support for injured victims and their families. Ron Brodeur, state inspector for the Maine Department of Disabled American Veterans, supported such types of legislation in the story and indicated what they could mean for returning war veterans in state.

While saying that the number of returning soldiers from Afghanistan or Iraq who could ultimately have TBI is certainly unknown, Brodeur provided an estimation. With nearly 2,000 soldiers from Maine serving in either war, Brodeur said at least 300 of them could have TBI in the future; thus requiring the need for better treatment, screening and support programs.