Concussion: Veterans, NFL, Havana Syndrome victims equally mistreated
The level of negligence in treating brain wounds continues unabated. The number of injured increases, along with budgets to diagnose, but not to treat and heal.
Significant end-of-year investigative reporting reveals the continuing institutional negligence in facing the human and financial costs of brain wounds, whether from sports, war, or “unknown causes.”
First, a look at the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report on the CIA’S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FACILITATED MEDICAL CARE AND BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY ANOMALOUS HEALTH INCIDENTS [aka Havana Syndrome].
The Report summarizes festering problems with the “gaslighting” by the CIA: the absence of a clear case definition for AHIs, uncertainty surrounding the origin of AHIs, and CIA’s evolving organizational position that have greatly complicated CIA’s ability to consistently and transparently facilitate medical care, provide compensation and other benefits, and communicate clearly about AHIs to the workforce.
Perhaps the most significant recommendation for victims of AHI is #10: “CIA should develop a comprehensive, consolidated, and easily accessible listing of AHI related care and benefit programs that CIA employees and contractors may be eligible for, including links to related policies, points of contact, frequently asked questions by program, and any other additional information needed for the individuals to access these programs.”
The nature of AHIs, and the difficulty of even diagnosing the cause of the polytrauma suffered by victims, necessitates use of alternative therapies outside the “standard of care” employed at government and mental health facilities. It is abundantly clear that the overwhelming number of victims suffered traumatic brain injuries. Current protocols for TBI are sadly lacking. Further, the interview and diagnostic processes at places like the National Intrepid Center of Excellence have led to massive numbers of complaints by patients of disrespect and disregard, along with rejections of demonstrated evidence of TBI by outside sources. These realities are in addition to the inadequate care provided.
But getting that diagnosis is only a part of the challenge. Reinbursement for alternative therapies is next to impossible, despite growing evidence that treatments like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) are providing the healing and help that aren’t available with drugs and computer-based therapies.
Current protocols are thus stacked against accurate diagnosis of the injuries, and further slanted in the direction of inadequate treatment protocols. Victims of AHI continue personal physical and mental battles with their health, exacerbated by the stress of fighting their own Agencies and the bureaucracy for recognition, rehabilitation, and restitution. Meanwhile, the pain of the victims continues, even though treatments exist that are already proving to be game-changers.
Second, investigative reporter Katherine Herridge released a smoking gun report on Agency and DOD/IC responses to claims of victims of AHI. The report includes a letter from DOD in March 2024 that countermanded claims by many across the government that claims of attack were spurious or the results of mass hysteria. The letter states: “we believe your experiences are real, and we are unwaveringly committed to continue to provide quality care to you and those who are eligible.”
Sadly, that “quality care” promise is routinely violated, according to numerous interviews with victims who endure unending obstruction and disrespect. Even cursory oversight of senior leadership at the NICoE would reveal the execrable and repetitive behavior of particular doctors who are unrepentant in their denunciation of the claims of victims.
The Report on X this week includes an extended interview with an AHI victim. She is a victim of both the attacks and the system that treats her like a leper. Perhaps a new administration can make a dent in the “leave us alone” mentality in military medicine and bureaucratic obstructions, but not without listening to the victims and those who are treating and healing them without compensation or recognition.
TreatNOW’s continuing support to AHI victims, and the record of successes treating and healing their AHI-induced brain wounds/TBI, attests to the existence of treatments that the DOD/IC and the VA continue to resist.
And it is clear that nay-sayers within the IC system who claim no weapon exists that could cause such damage have not kept up with decades of fielded systems, including high-power microwave (HPM) systems developed by Epirus. Yet those minority voices that deny the suffering and claims from America’s best and brightest Russia analysts continue their litany of arguments that any Eagle Scout could debunk in a day with an A.I. assisted research set of questions. [HINT: read these articles and view these videos.]
Third, the Washington Post continues its reporting on “The Concussion Files” with revelations about the work of BrownGreer, the law firm hired to adjudicate claims against the NFL under the landmark NFL concussion settlement. The firm and the NFL promised to compensate every former player with dementia or a brain disease linked to head trauma. Sadly, the wounded must wait, and wait. The wiggle room allowed by overly broad weasel words and the second- and third-guessing by settlement doctors, expert panels of “reviewers” and skulking legal investigators intent on denying claimants’ reports inhibits successful claims by years.
Despite paying out in excess of $1.2 billion to only 4,000 of the eligible 20,000+ retired players, there are still over 75% of retirees still outside the process. And those already making claims are being subjected to protracted and too-often futile attempts to make their cases that their symptoms of depression, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological and behavioral deficiencies are tied to their careers in the NFL. Some have died with CTE before they even received a proper diagnosis.
Don’t let the blue tent of their “Concussion Protocol” hijinks fool you. No medicine is being performed in that tent or in the legal negotiations that stall payments for head injuries. Neither active nor retired players with brain wounds are being told that treatment exists for their symptoms. To admit there is a treatment is to be forced to answer the next questions: “When did you know and what did you do to stall adequate treatment? And why aren’t you telling players they can get help immediately?”
These late year revelations all point to bureaucratic stonewalling to deny victims both status, adequate diagnosis, and treatments that are proven but which fall outside of “standard of care.” The irony of course is that medicine admits it is confused, on new ground, without prior experience, and groping in the dark to even properly explain what has happened. Sounds like a recipe for a new set of approaches with the welfare of the victims in mind.
It will be a happier new year when we Heal Brains. Stop Suicides. Restore Lives. TreatNOW
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The TreatNOW Mission is ending service member suicides. Along the way, we have learned that we can end suicidal ideation, help end symptoms of PTSD, get patients off most of their drugs, and heal brain wounds to end the effects of Concussion, BLAST injury, mild TBI Persistent Post Concussive Syndrome, and polytrauma from AHI and Burn Pits. www.treatnow.org
Information provided by TreatNOW.org does not constitute a medical recommendation. It is intended for informational purposes only, and no claims, either real or implied, are being made.
