Faulty TBI Screenings

It’s believed that 24,000 veterans didn’t get the traumatic brain injury screenings they should have received, all because of misunderstood instructions. Those screenings, dating back as far as 2007, were part of the exams given in connection with disability claims. Only four specific medical specialties are allowed to give TBI screenings — psychiatrist, physiatrist, neurosurgeon or neurologist — but it seems that others misread the “guidance documents” that specified which medical specialties were allowed to do those screenings. Now those 24,000 veterans will be sent a letter to inform them of the glitch. They’ll also be invited to have a proper screening within one year. At least those incidents happened within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The other issue is supposed “experts” reviewing cases and making determinations for the VA. It only takes a little digging to unearth the wrongs that can occur when an alleged expert is brought in from the outside. A news station in Minnesota did its own investigation and came up with 300 veterans who hadn’t been examined by qualified medical personnel. One veteran was examined for knee, ankle and back problems and had the claim turned down … by an OB/ GYN “expert.” In another case, a doctor cut and pasted information from Wikipedia and put it in a veteran’s file … after carefully deleting one word so the phrase matched what he wanted it to say. Some veterans are having their claims finalized by those who give medical opinions only (reading the files), rather than doing actual physical exams. Other veterans are hiring their own independent medical examiners to review their cases. If you’ve moved and the VA doesn’t have your current address, make a call to your closest regional VA medical center. Verify whether you’re on that list of those who didn’t get a correct screening.