Silent killer: Gillibrand urges federal action to help veterans suffering brain damage from ‘blast overpressure’

Years after serving their country, American veterans are quietly suffering from the aftereffects of blast stress – brain injuries resulting from prolonged exposure to gunfire and other explosions on the battlefield, said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

As the harmful effects of blast overpressure – including anxiety and depression, mental disorders and dementia – become increasingly well known, Gillibrand is introducing the Overpressure Safety Act in the U.S. Senate to provide the care needed for veterans suffering from such illnesses.

On Wednesday, Gillibrand announced the bill during a visit to the Wounded Warrior Project headquarters at 370 7th Avenue. Standing alongside veterans, she argued that many soldiers had suffered invisible wounds from firing weapons that resembled repeated concussions, not unlike those suffered by athletes.

“What we’ve learned about these traumatic brain injuries is that they’re caused by the explosive force of many of the weapons we use both in combat and in training. But even though we know that, soldiers continue to train with these weapons, and that’s what today’s legislation is about,” Gillibrand said. “This challenge is not unlike what we read about football players, soccer players and people in other industries who experience brain damage all the time. It’s the same type of brain disease, the same type of symptoms.”

Data released by Gillibrand’s office show that about a dozen Navy Seals who died by suicide in the last decade also suffered blast injuries. The bill, supporters say, would give veterans better access to the medical care they need to improve their overall health.

“It provides greater access to specialized care for those whose brain health is affected by blasts. And last but not least, it provides protection from retaliation. If a soldier says, ‘Hey, I’m affected in a certain way, I need help,'” said James Hendon, commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services. “These are innovations that are significant in that they benefit the men and women who wear the uniform and who have worn the uniform.”

State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who also serves as chair of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, supported the bill because she also knows how important it is to protect those who dedicate their lives to serving their country.

Scarcella-Spanton, the wife of a veteran who was formerly stationed in Afghanistan, says this issue is very close to her heart.

“My husband was in Afghanistan twice. In the infantry, he was a machine gunner. This issue is incredibly important to veterans across the country and especially here in New York City. It’s critical that we study how these explosions affect these veterans, how they affect their service, and whether they have to leave the service early. We don’t really have a clue yet. And I think this is a really amazing step in the right direction,” Scarcella-Spanton said.