title: Trends in the epidemiology of disability related to traumatic brain injury in the US Army and Marine Corps: 2005 to 2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been recognized as a major public health issue for several decades. Despite technological advancements in protective equipment and medical care available during recent military conflicts, TBI is the most common neurological condition among Soldiers and Marines evaluated for discharge from service. This study describes the demographic, service-related, and disability characteristics of Soldiers and Marines referred for combat-related TBI disability evaluation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of Soldiers and Marines evaluated for combat-related disability between October 1, 2004 and September 30, 2010 was performed. Traumatic brain injury cases were identified using the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities code for TBI and compared with other combat-related disabilities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combat-related TBI disability rates have significantly increased in both the Army and the Marine Corps since 2005. Significantly more unfitting conditions are present on average in combat-related TBI cases than in other combat-related disability cases. Combat-related TBI disability cases are more likely to be medically retired than other types of combat-related disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because veterans with combat-related TBI disabilities are likely to require chronic care for TBI-associated medical conditions, disability evaluation policy and programs must ensure that combat-related TBI disabilities are accurately identified and compensated, and the potential long-term care needs are addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland (Drs Gubata, Niebuhr, and Cowan and Mss Packnett, Blandford, and Piccirillo); and Allied Technology Group, Inc, Rockville, Maryland (Mss Packnett, Blandford, and Piccirillo and Dr Cowan).
authors.forename: Marlene E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gubata
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Packnett
authors.forename: Caitlin D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Blandford
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Piccirillo
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Niebuhr
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Cowan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035881:Compensation and Redress; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D012179:Retirement; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014729:Veterans Disability Claims / Q000639:trends