A bipartisan effort in the Senate aims to address the growing concerns about the mental and physical toll of blast pressure injuries on America’s military veterans.
Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Precision Brain Health Research Act on Monday, seeking to mandate a comprehensive, 10-year study into the effects of repetitive low-level blast injuries.
This legislation comes in response to alarming findings linking blast pressure exposure—caused by explosions and heavy artillery usage—to severe mental health challenges, including depression, memory loss, and an increased risk of suicide.
Ahead of the proposed bill, the VA has also launched a campaign to ensure that veterans exposed to blast injuries can access healthcare. Using text messages, emails, public service announcements, and community events, the campaign encourages veterans from Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other deployments to enroll in VA healthcare. Enrolled veterans gain access to specialty screenings and services designed to address blast-related injuries, even if they have not yet reported health conditions tied to their service.
The act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to analyze large data sets to identify trends among veterans exposed to blast pressure waves during their service. These injuries, caused by the high-pressure waves from explosions, can severely damage sensitive organs like the brain and ears.
“Recent studies have tied low-level blasts, which [service members] are exposed to during training and in combat, to high rates of brain and mental health conditions, as well as suicides,” Senator Moran said. He added that the legislation represents a critical step toward protecting those who defend the nation’s freedoms.
Senator King echoed Moran’s sentiments, pointing to the need to grow knowledge about these injuries to safeguard the long-term health of the military community. “Traumatic brain injuries are a common, yet misunderstood and often undetectable, injury,” he said.
Earlier in the year, media reports shed light on the potential long-term consequences of repeated blast pressure exposure, sparking action among lawmakers. A bipartisan group of 24 legislators petitioned the Government Accountability Office to investigate how the Department of Defense (DoD) is addressing these injuries.
In August, the DoD announced updated safety protocols to mitigate blast-related risks. These include restricting proximity to firing ranges during live exercises and requiring cognitive health assessments for all service members by 2025.
The proposed legislation focuses on understanding the cumulative impact of blast pressure injuries through advanced data analysis. It also aims to pave the way for reforms that enhance protections for troops and improve care for veterans. This is particularly critical for personnel operating heavy artillery, such as mortars, whose work environments expose them to repeated high-pressure waves.
Despite the urgent need, the bill is unlikely to pass during the current Congressional session, which ends in a few weeks. However, its introduction is seen as a foundational step for future VA reform. Senator Moran is expected to lead these efforts as the next chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.