VA Benefits for Brain Injuries, Burn Scars Could Rise

The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced changes to the way traumatic brain injuries and burn scars are evaluated. The changes could mean that service members who suffer from either injury could receive higher disability compensation than previously allowed. It also means that veterans with preexisting conditions could see their compensation rise as well. Roughly 22,000 veterans suffer from some form of brain injury, including 5,800 who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Details of the change were published in the Federal Register, available online at www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2008-22083_PI.pdf.