Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Polytrauma Care

Ways into VA brain injury care

1. 1Enrollment, or a service-connected routeEnrolled veterans get care in the medical benefits package. A veteran with a service-connected disability gets care for that disability even without enrollment, and a veteran rated 50 percent or higher gets the package without enrollment.

Source: 38 CFR 17.38(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.37(b) (opens in new tab)

Where do you want to start?

• Brain injury care at VA

  Rehabilitative services, other than vocational services, are part of the medical benefits package for enrolled veterans.

  Source: 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(vi) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a) (opens in new tab)

• Polytrauma rehabilitation

  VA's Polytrauma System of Care is a network of specialized rehabilitation programs for veterans and service members with combat or civilian traumatic brain injury and polytrauma. At the Richmond Polytrauma Network Site, for example, the team includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy, neuropsychology, and case management.

  1. 1A referral from your VA care teamAt the Richmond VA, for example, you contact your primary care provider for a referral. Referral routes can differ by facility, so ask your VA primary care provider how referral works at your VA.

  Source: VA.gov: Polytrauma Network Site (Richmond VA) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(vi) (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

VA already holds your VA treatment records. BeneVets does not ask for records.

Steps, in order

1. Enroll in VA health care

   If you are not enrolled, apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ.

   Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)

2. Talk with your VA primary care provider

   Tell your VA primary care provider about the brain injury and ask about rehabilitation. Routes into polytrauma care can differ by facility.

   Source: VA.gov: Polytrauma Network Site (Richmond VA) (opens in new tab)

3. Ask for a polytrauma referral

   At the Richmond VA, for example, you contact your primary care provider for a referral to the polytrauma outpatient program. Ask your VA primary care provider how referral works at your VA.

   Source: VA.gov: Polytrauma Network Site (Richmond VA) (opens in new tab)

4. Find a VA medical center

   Use the VA.gov facility locator to find the VA medical center nearest you.

   Source: VA.gov: find VA locations (opens in new tab)

5. Get free help from a VSO

   Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.

   Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab)

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