Physical Well-Being

Service members who suffered moderate to severe traumatic brain injury in combat have significantly higher incidence of mental health disorders in following years as compared to warfighters who sustained other traumatic injuries, a study found.

The study, published in the current issue of the journal Military Medicine, examined almost 5,000 cases of traumatic injury experienced by Marines, soldiers, airmen and sailors during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from February 2002 to February 2011.

Wounded veterans have seen improved employment opportunities and quality of life in recent years but still face serious long-term mental health and physical health challenges, according to a new survey of Wounded Warrior Project members released this week.

Among the most disturbing findings is that one-third of veterans polled for the report had suicidal thoughts in just the past two weeks.

A federal court this week ordered Veterans Affairs officials to reimburse veterans for all expenses at non-department emergency medical centers, a move that could mean payouts of tens of thousands of dollars to patients facing financial distress because of their hospital bills.

These are not your average service animals.

For the first time ever, a clinical research study has been funded – not by the government, but by a private citizen – to investigate the potential benefits of pairing patients with PTSD, specifically veterans, and horses. And the early results are promising.