Surge in Veterans' Traumatic Brain Injuries Shown in VA Records Amid Research Funding Cuts
New data from the Department of Veterans Affairs reveals a 26% surge in reported traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases among veterans enrolled in the VA system between 2021 and 2025, bringing the total since 2001 to 556,502. The increase averages over 28,000 additional cases per year. However, Congress has cut funding for the Pentagon's TBI and psychological health research program by 77%, from $175 million in fiscal 2024 to $40.5 million in fiscal 2026, with no increase proposed for fiscal 2027. Experts from Disabled American Veterans and the Invisible Wounds Foundation note that the actual number of cases is likely higher due to undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases. Rep. Mike Levin and other lawmakers are calling for increased research funding to address the growing crisis.
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