Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)


What are the risks and costs of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for military personnel and veterans?

  • In prior conflicts, TBI was present in at least 14-20% of surviving combat casualties; preliminary information from the current conflict in the Middle East suggests that this number is now much higher.
  • In peacetime, over 7,000 Americans with TBI are admitted to military and veterans hospitals each year.
  • TBI is a major cause of life-long disability and death.
  • Certain military assignments, such as airborne operations or policing in combat areas, carry above-average risk of TBI.
  • Blast injuries are a growing cause of TBI in combat.
What is the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)?

DVBIC is a group of multi-site TBI programs in Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and civilian TBI rehabilitation programs. These DVBIC sites work collaboratively to provide and improve TBI care for active duty military, veterans and their eligible beneficiaries.

What is the goal of DVBIC?

Our goal is to ensure expert care coordination and individualized, evidence-based treatment to each patient in order to maximize function and decrease or eliminate TBI-related disability. We work together to provide services and supports to help an individual with TBI return to duty, work and community.

What value is added to a TBI program from being a part of DVBIC?

Collaboration with DVBIC enhances a program’s:
  • Communication among member programs
  • Patient case management
  • Clinical care practice
  • Provider, patient and family education efforts
  • Funds for TBI research
  • Access to collaborators for multi-site studies
How is DVBIC different from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other brain injury research programs?

  • Focuses on the well-being of those who put themselves in harm's way for our country
  • No other brain injury program conducts clinical studies with active duty military
  • Specialized focus on the unique needs of military and veteran beneficiaries including return to duty considerations, and continuity of care with military and veterans hospitals and TRICARE
Do DVBIC sites provide a specific set of treatment and/or services?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in a broad range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional and social challenges. DVBIC sites provide a consistent standard of clinical care and rehabilitation. At the same time, each person has an individualized plan of care that addresses his/her individual needs. Patients with TBI have access to ongoing DVBIC clinical research trials.


What type of care is available for people with TBI through DVBIC sites?

Each local facility provides brain injury evaluations. Individuals evaluated at a DVBIC site receive a comprehensive assessment that may include any of the following examinations:
  • Neurological
  • Neuropsychological (including comprehensive neuropsychological testing)
  • Laboratory (blood work)
  • Psychosocial
  • Audiologic (including formal audiometry)
  • Electroencephalographic (EEG)
Additionally, people admitted to inpatient TBI rehabilitation programs at a VA site receive:
  • Physiatric assessment
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Rehabilitation Nursing
  • Physical Therapy
  • Speech Therapy
  • Cognitive Therapy
  • Psychology
  • Therapeutic Recreation
  • Other rehabilitative therapies as indicated
Other evaluations (i.e. neuro-ophthalmology, dental, ear/nose/throat [ENT], vestibular [balance] testing and treatment, psychiatry etc.) may be obtained if a need for these services is identified. Treatment is based on individual goals in an multi-disciplinary team setting. Persons who require community re-entry rehabilitation in a residential setting can receive it at our civilian partner sites: Virginia NeuroCare in Charlottesville, VA and Laurel Highlands Neuro-Rehabilitation Center at Johnstown, PA.

Who can refer someone with TBI to DVBIC?

People with TBI who are served by TRICARE or VA benefits may be referred to DVBIC by primary care physicians, other health care providers, family members, or by self-referral.

How can you refer a patient to a DVBIC site?

You can either contact the sites directly to begin the referral process, which includes a review of all related medical documentation, or you may contact headquarters at 1.800.870.9244 or info@dvbic.org. Headquarters will direct your referral to the appropriate staff member.

FOR HELP, CONTACT:
1.800.870.9244
info@dvbic.org

To protect your privacy, do not use voice or e-mail to convey personal health information.




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Call toll-free for information: 1.800.870.9244
Email us at: info@dvbic.org