SERVING

WHO SERVE

DEFENSE AND VETERANS BRAIN INJURY CENTER | 2013 ANNUAL REPORT
| 2 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

I

DVBIC’s mission is to serve active duty military, 

their beneficiaries, and veterans with traumatic 

brain injuries through state-of-the-art clinical 

care, innovative clinical research initiatives and 

educational programs, and support for force 

health protection services.

Cover photo: U.S. Army soldiers with Kilo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd 

Cavalry Regiment, fire their M4 carbines during a mission rehearsal 

exercise (MRE) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, 

Germany, March 13, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tristan Bolden
Letter from the National Director.......................................................... 2

Introduction ..................................................................................... 4

Clinical Affairs .................................................................................. 4

Research.......................................................................................... 6

Education......................................................................................... 9

Network Sites ................................................................................. 11

Resources ...................................................................................... 16

Publications.................................................................................... 19

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“As we carry out our mission to serve active 

duty military, their beneficiaries, and veterans 

with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), we must 

never forget that everything we do is aimed at 

providing the very best care for those who serve 

us so bravely.” - COL Sidney Hinds II, U.S. Army

DVBIC National Director 
| 2 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR

Dear Colleagues,

In July 2013, I was entrusted with the responsibility of serving as National Director of the 

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC). It is a great honor to serve those who 

have served. Let us never forget the sacrifices of the men and women of our Armed Forces 

who deserve our best efforts. As we carry out our mission to serve active duty military, 

their beneficiaries, and veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), we must never forget 

that everything we do is aimed at providing the very best care for those who serve us so 

bravely. 

As a DVBIC team, we serve in partnership with Department of Defense (DoD), Veterans 

Affairs (VA), Public Health Service medical specialists and non-governmental TBI subject 

matter experts. Together we provide state-of-the-science clinical care, innovative clinical 

research initiatives and educational programs, and support for military health services.

We listen to our stakeholders to come up with clinical recommendations and educational 

tools to give our DoD and VA medical beneficiaries the most current diagnostics and best 

treatments available. Our research and clinical recommendations not only benefit the 

military health service system, but also contribute to the civilian medical profession’s body 

of knowledge. 

At 16 sites supported by a Washington, D.C-area headquarters, DVBIC treats, supports, 

trains and monitors service members, veterans, family members and providers who have 

been, or care for those who are, affected by TBI. 

COL Sidney Hinds II, 

U.S. Army,

DVBIC National Director 
| 3 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

COL Hinds consults with 

DVBIC staff during visit 

to Darnall Army Medical 

Center in San Antonio, 

Texas

We are proud of our work and this year some of our accomplishments include:

• Published a TBI Resource Guide on DVBIC’s website that shares resources available to 

support Service members, Veterans and their families following TBI

• Hosted the TBI Global Synapse, “A Summit Without Borders,” a three-day online 

educational seminar for 1,200 military health professionals to educate them on the latest 

treatments for TBI.

• Published results of “Test-retest reliability of four computerized neurocognitive 

assessment tools” in Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology based on the first phase of a 

head-to-head study of neurocognitive assessment tools (NCAT) at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

• Published 40 other medical peer-review studies related to the detection, initial treatment 

and ongoing care for TBI. 

• Released “Neuroimaging following mTBI in the Non-deployed Setting” and “Assessment 

and Management of Visual Dysfunction Associated with mTBI” clinical recommendations. 

• Published “Back to School: Guide to Academic Success After a Traumatic Brain Injury,” an 

electronic resource to help service members and veterans seeking higher education take 

advantage of earned benefits and succeed in their efforts. 

• Initiated feasibility study on neurofeedback technology for persistent post-concussive 

symptoms in soldiers.

• Developed TBI 201 – Overview of TBI for Military Health Care Providers, an interactive 

web-based educational platform at the request of the Services TBI Program Directors to 

fulfill training requirements for medical providers.

• Hosted 10 webinars on clinical topics related to TBI treatment for medical professionals. 

• Launched a Telehealth and Technology Web Resource Locator (TTWRL) resource to 

support discharge planning and ongoing care for TBI patients.

• Provided daily care to patients in conjunction with our 16 MTF and VA TBI sites.

As we strive for an even better collaborative and productive 2014, I want us to remember 

those we serve. They are at the heart of everything we do.

With my humblest thanks and deepest respect,

COL Sidney Hinds II, U.S. Army

National Director, DVBIC

LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR
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CLINICAL AFFAIRS

DVBIC’s Clinical Affairs Division 

provides clinical guidance and 

tools built on state-of-the-science TBI knowledge to clinical 

care providers, and clinical 

support to service members, 

veterans, and their families. 

The division has four offices: 

Surveillance, Clinical Practice/

Clinical Recommendations, 

Care Coordination, and Outcomes and Assessments. In 

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jennifer Allara, 436th Civil Engineer Squadron, Explosive Ordinance Disposal team 

leader, received treatment in February 2013 for symptoms of mTBI and PTSD at the National Intrepid Center 

of Excellence in Bethesda, Md. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker

The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is a part 

of the U.S. Military Health System. Specifically, it is the traumatic 

brain injury (TBI) operational component of the Defense Centers 

of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain 

Injury (DCoE). Established in 1992 by Congress, our mission is 

to serve active duty military, their beneficiaries, and Veterans 

with traumatic brain injuries through state-of-the-art clinical 

care, innovative clinical research and educational programs, 

and support for force health protection services. DVBIC fulfills 

its mission through three operational areas; clinical affairs, 

research, and education. This report summarizes DVBIC’s 2013 

accomplishments in each area.

achieving its mission, the 

division works in partnership 

with the Service TBI program 

directors, the National Intrepid 

Center of Excellence, the VA, 

and others. 

Together with its partners, 

DVBIC’s Clinical Affairs Division 

develops and supports the 

implementation of clinical 

standards to maximize 

recovery and functioning, 

INTRODUCTION
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ê 2013 Achievements ê

Identifying, Evaluating, and Disseminating Best Practices: 

New Clinical Recommendations and Resources

• Developed and released new Clinical Recommendations on 

Visual Dysfunction following mTBI

• Developed and released new Clinical Recommendations on 

Neuroimaging following mTBI

• Released TBI resource compendium and Telehealth and 

Technology Web Resource Locator (TTWRL) to assist TBI case 

managers in the MHS

Sharing of Best Practices

• Held expert working groups to support the development of CR’s 

for Sleep Disturbances after mTBI as well as Neuroimaging in 

mTBI

Defining the Scope of the TBI issue: TBI Surveillance

• Broadened data source partnerships, establishing data use 

agreement with TMA

• Expanded surveillance capabilities with internal and external 

stakeholders

• Developed major reports to guide and influence staffing and 

policy, to include the Event Monitoring Summaries, Medical 

Encounters Report, TBI World Wide Numbers report, and others

Defining TBI Outcomes

• Analyzed concussion heath care utilization data to further 

understand current practice for concussion care in the Military 

Health System with the goal to inform development of 

standardized concussion care health outcome domains

• Selected two Core instruments to be used to capture mild TBI 

outcomes throughout MHS

• Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI)

• Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC)

CLINICAL AFFAIRS

Regional Care 

Coordination in 2013

In 2013, DVBIC’s Regional 

Care Coordinators coordinated the care of more than 650 

active duty service members 

and veterans who experienced TBIs while serving in 

support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, 

and New Dawn. They also 

conducted 1,256, follow-ups 

to help guide and support 

them in accessing the care 

they needed.

RCCs completed 651 intakes 

and 1256 follow-ups in 2013:

3-month follow-ups 375

6-month follow-ups 272

9-month follow-ups 191

12-month follow-ups 169

18-month follow-ups 108

24-month follow-ups 94

Non-standard follow-ups 47

creates standardized 

approaches to assessments, 

and collects, analyzes, and 

disseminates TBI-related 

population health data to 

better define the scope of 

the TBI population and guide 

research and policy. They also 

provide direct care and support 

to service members and 

veterans who have sustained 

a TBI through clinical care 

resources at Military Treatment 

Facilities and through 

field-based Regional Care 

Coordinators (RCCs).

In 2013, the Clinical Affairs 

Division continued to advance 

the state of TBI care. During 

the year, the division released 

several important new clinical 

recommendations, expanded 

data sources and capabilities to 

improve surveillance, and selected instruments to capture 

mild TBI outcomes throughout 

the Military Health System. The 

division also continued to provide vital clinical care and care 

coordination around the world 

through its clinical care and 

care coordination teams.
| 6 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

RESEARCH

DVBIC’s Research Division 

advances the scientific understanding of Traumatic Brain 

Injury (TBI) and its treatment 

through a multi-center network 

of Military Treatment Facilities 

and Veterans Affairs Medical 

Centers. The resulting scientific 

knowledge drives approaches 

to clinical diagnosis and care 

that improve outcomes for 

those impacted by TBI. The 

division conducts, guides, and 

supports research across the 

DVBIC network through four 

offices: Research Activities, 

Clinical Translation, Program 

Evaluation, and Quality Assurance. DVBIC’s research 

portfolio spans a broad range, 

from congressionally-mandated 

longitudinal population studies 

to investigator-initiated clinical 

research. In 2013, DVBIC had 

over 65 active research studies 

in the portfolio.

Vice Chief of Staff for the Army Gen. John F. Campbell examines Super Bowl rings on display at NFL 

Headquarters in New York, N.Y., June 13, 2013. The NFL and the Army have partnered for the past few 

years to share research on TBI. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Tobey
| 7 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

RESEARCH

Also in 2013, the division’s 

responsibilities expanded to 

include TBI program evaluation 

and clinical translation. Clinical translation scans published 

literature and assesses the 

results of completed studies in 

the DoD TBI portfolio to identify findings that can inform the 

development or update of clinical recommendations, catalyzing the translation of promising 

clinical research findings to 

clinical practice. TBI program 

evaluation focuses on the 

development of a framework 

for the evaluation of internal 

DVBIC programs and processes, and supports DCoE’s evaluation of DoD TBI programs.

ê 2013 Achievements ê

Publications with wide impact 

Risk factors for postconcussion symptom reporting following 

traumatic brain injury in U.S. Military Service Members.

Lange, R.T., Brickell, T.A., French, L.M., Ivins, B., Bhagwat, A., 

Pancholi, S., Iverson, G.L. (2013). Risk factors for postconcussion 

symptom reporting following traumatic brain injury in U.S. 

Military Service Members. Journal of Neurotrauma, 30(4), 

237-46. 

Current recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of 

concussion in sport: A comparison of three new guidelines. 

West, T.A., Marion, D.W. (2013). Current recommendations for 

the diagnosis and treatment of concussion in sport: A comparison 

of three new guidelines. Journal of Neurotrauma. 

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on persistent postconcussion 

symptoms. 

Cifu, D.X., Hart, B.B., West, S.L., Walker, W., Carne, W. (2013). 

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on persistent postconcussion 

symptoms. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 

Significant Studies Initiated

• Pilot study on neurofeedback at Fort Carson

• Obtained a data-use agreement from the Defense Health 

Agency and approval from IRB for a study to estimate the 

number of service members with multiple TBIs

• Initiated a feasibility study at the Richmond VA to investigate 

olfactory and taste dysfunction in association with mild TBI 

during deployment

Marine Corps Sgt. Kirstie Ennis of Milton, Fla., takes off at the start of 

the women’s 10k upright race during the Warrior Games at the U.S. Air 

Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo., May 2013. Ennis sustained 

a TBI and broken ankle that resulted in limb salvage while conducting 

counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan. Marine Corps photo by 

Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney
| 8 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

ê 2013 Achievements ê

Congressionally Mandated Studies

Cognitive Rehabilitation Effectiveness for mild TBI

The Study of Cognitive Rehabilitation Effectiveness for mild TBI 

(SCORE), is evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation 

in OIF/OEF service members with a history of mild traumatic 

brain injury and persistent (three to 24 months post-injury) 

cognitive complaints. In 2013, the study reached 89% of its 

target enrollment and maintained a retention rate of 75%. DVBIC 

also received additional funding to support data processing and 

analysis for a parallel imaging study called iSCORE. iSCORE 

is investigating longitudinal structural and functional imaging 

changes over time that correlate with outcomes following a trial 

of cognitive rehabilitation in mild TBI.

Head to Head

The Head-to-Head study is conducting a psychometric comparison 

of brief computerized neurocognitive assessment tools by 

measuring the test-retest reliability of the tools, comparing them 

to traditional neuropsychological testing, and assessing their 

sensitivity and specificity in detecting cognitive impairments in 

soldiers who recently sustained mild TBIs. In 2013, the study 

continued recruitment and data analysis efforts and published 

a major manuscript on the results of the “Head to Head” testretest reliability in the professional journal Archives of Clinical 

Neuropsychology.

15 Year

The 15-year study is a long-term longitudinal study on TBI in 

OEF/OIF service members and veterans. The study is developing 

a data repository of clinical and health data and bio specimens 

collected from injured and non-injured service members. It 

documents long-term outcomes over 15 years to improve 

understanding of TBI in a military cohort.

U.S. Army Spc. Marcos Fernandes shares his experiences with surgeons 

general of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the United Kingdom at the 

Craig Joint Theater Hospital’s concussion care center at Bagram Airfield 

in Parwan province, Afghanistan, April 17, 2013. Fernandes was treated 

for a concussion after a round ricocheted off his helmet during a firefight. 

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Mark VanGerpen

RESEARCH
| 9 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

DVBIC’s Education Division 

develops and delivers TBI education programs built around 

state-of-the-science knowledge. The division has three 

offices: Education Materials, 

Clinical Education and Training, 

and Education Outreach. These 

offices provide members of the 

military, veterans, and their 

families, supporters, and care 

providers with the knowledge 

they need to prevent or recover and reintegrate from TBI’s. 

The division’s multimedia education products deliver high 

quality, clinically relevant education to clinicians and provide 

education about the means of 

prevention, causes, and care 

of TBI to the broader military 

community. DVBIC’s network 

of regionally-based education 

coordinators provides education and conducts outreach to 

service members, veterans, 

and their families, supporters, 

and care providers around the 

world. 

EDUCATION

U.S. Army Spc. In Kim prepares for the modified Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) during the 

Spartan Best Squad Competition at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 3, 2013. U.S. 

Army photo by Sgt. Eric-James Estrada

In 2013, the division made 

improvements in product 

development capabilities and 

increased the reach of its education products. DVBIC invited 

additional subject matter experts (SMEs) into the network 

to improve product quality.

In addition, a redesign of the 

materials creation process 

increased product development 

efficiency. A successful webinar 

series increased awareness of 

TBI and provided resources to 

providers, patients, and families. These improvements, supported by DVBIC’s continuing 

investment in and promotion of 

online resources, resulted in a 

dramatic increase in the number of site visits and material 

downloads from the DVBIC 

website.
| 10 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

EDUCATION

ê 2013 Achievements ê

New Provider Education Products

• Neuroimaging Following mTBI in the Non-Deployed Setting: 

clinical recommendation, clinical support tool, and training slides 

• Six training slide decks on the updated MACE and CMAs to 

reflect changes made by DODI 6490.11

• TBI 201: Overview of TBI for Military Health Care Providers 

(interactive training course)

Provider Education Services

• Produced a 22-hour virtual Continuing Education program TBI 

Global Synapse: A Summit Without Borders. Eight hundred 

providers participated, with 500 receiving CE credits

• Produced eight webinars and trained 3,200 military, veteran, 

and civilian health care providers

• Developed “Deployment-Related Traumatic Brain Injury and 

Co-Occurring Conditions” (online training course for providers)

Service Member, Veteran, and Family Education Products

• Launched a back-to-school guide and multimedia website to 

help service members and veterans with ongoing TBI symptoms 

cope with the challenges of returning to school

Service Member, Veteran, and Family Education Services

• Provided or participated in 785 educational briefs, presentations 

and events that reached a total audience of over 57,000

• Distributed approximately 530,000 TBI educational resources

The Education Division also 

leveraged technology and 

increased collaboration with 

partners to deliver stateof-the-science knowledge 

to a greater number of DoD 

and VA clinicians. DVBIC 

substituted its Annual TBI 

Summit with a face-to-face 

virtual learning experience, 

DVBIC’s TBI Global Synapse. 

The event, held live from 

August 20 to 22 at CapGemini 

studios in Washington, D.C., 

reached thousands of DoD/

VA providers. DVBIC also 

collaborated with the USAF to 

coordinate, assist, and provide 

content for Project ECHO, an 

innovative pilot program that 

the US Air Force modeled 

after an academic program to 

connect providers located in 

isolated and/or under served 

areas. Providers and their 

care teams become part of 

a large knowledge network 

and experience real-time 

transfer of knowledge and best 

practices.

Regional Education 

Coordination in 2013

In 2013, DVBIC’s 16 regional 

education coordinators 

continued in their role as 

outreach TBI experts. They 

conducted TBI awareness 

presentations for service 

members at pre- and postdeployment sessions and at 

various March Brain Injury 

Awareness activities at 14 

DVBIC sites around the 

country. They also remained 

available to help all service 

members and their families 

requiring information on TBI.
| 11 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

NETWORK SITES

Marine and Sailor Concussion Recovery Center, 

Camp Lejeune

The DVBIC team at Camp Lejeune works in the Marine & Sailor 

Concussion Recovery Center. This DVBIC site focuses its work 

on clinical care, care coordination, and education outreach. The 

clinical care team provided care for approximately 2,000 service 

members in 2013. The regional care coordinator provided support to TBI patients and their families to ensure their successful 

navigation of the military health system. The Camp Lejeune RECs 

reached 53,170 people including service members, veterans, 

line leaders, providers, military family members, local university students, and other members of the surrounding community. 

They also wrote several TBI related articles published in base and 

local newspapers and held monthly two-week (70 hour) education 

therapy groups with healthcare providers for service members 

diagnosed with mTBI.

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood

DVBIC Fort Hood serves the continental United States’ largest 

deploying base. The program works in conjunction with the TBI 

Clinic in providing direct and indirect patient care to the soldiers 

as well as providing education to active duty, National Guard, 

Reserve, family members, and clinical staff. The site supports 

general DVBIC research in conjunction with SAMMC. The DVBIC 

regional education coordinator continues to lead annual and 

pre-deployment concussion/mTBI training for troops at Fort Hood. 

These efforts reached 15,708 individuals this year. 

Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton provides improved access to care for Marines and 

provides them with clinical service, care coordination, and education while participating in TBI research. It provides an array of 

clinical services including TBI screening, evaluation and patient/

family education, neuropsychological assessment, duty status 

determination, and consultation services. The regional care coordinator assists service members and veterans with TBI as they 

transition from the Department of Defense to the VA Health Care 

System. The research team continues to work on innovative studies aimed at understanding topics such as the neurobehavioral 

and cognitive impact of mTBI, anger, and aggressive behavior in 

the military after TBIs.

DVBIC Camp Pendleton works collaboratively with the Office 

of Neurotrauma/NAVMED West, Navy Hospital Camp Pendleton 

Concussion Clinic, the Warrior Recovery Center, and 1MEF. DVBIC 

Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson

DVBIC Fort Carson resides within the Evans Army Community 

Hospital’s Warrior Recovery Center (WRC) and Soldier Readiness 

Center (SRC). Fort Carson is a large army post with rapid deployment cycles, and is an ideal site for extending DVBIC’s mission. 

DVBIC supports this site with regional education coordinators, a 

regional care coordinator and research staff. RECs were able to 

reach out to more than 16,000 participants in educational presentations and events. DVBIC at Fort Carson provided clinical expertise, database, and statistical support to QI initiatives through the 

Outcome Measures Project. The research teams at the WRC and 

SRC examined post-deployment TBI and PTSD in collaboration 

with the Denver VA Medical Center, trialed interactive metronome 

technology’s ability to cope with cognitive impairment following 

blast-related TBI, and completed a study on deployment-related 

mTBI in soldiers returning from OEF/OIF.
| 12 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

NETWORK SITES

Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD)

DVBIC at Navy Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) works collaboratively with the Office of Neurotrauma/NAVMED West and 

TBI Clinical Services at NMCSD to provide an array of clinical 

services, including TBI screening, evaluation and patient/family 

education, neuropsychological assessment, duty status determination, and consultation services. DVBIC at NMCSD also conducts 

state-of-the-science research examining various aspects of TBI, 

such as mechanisms of injury from blasts and the relationships of 

cumulative blast exposure and interval of blast exposure to CNS 

pathology and neurocognitive function. They have continued to 

drive DVBIC’s congressionally mandated studies while also developing, researching, and publishing their own TBI related protocols 

and manuscripts. DVBIC at NMCSD also coordinates care for TBI 

patients and provides extensive educational services. The regional 

care coordinator maintained a large caseload throughout the year. 

Their work included facilitating a weekly treatment group at VA La 

Jolla for caregivers and veterans. The regional education coordinator gained visibility throughout the year by attending SME 

presentations and doing site visits throughout the region, meeting 

with more than 6,800 service members, providers, veterans, and 

family members, and distributing more than 12,000 educational 

handouts.

San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC)

San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) and Wilford Hall 

Ambulatory Surgical Center have been involved in the TBI initiative since DVBIC’s inception by Congress in 1991. They participate in clinical investigation research, ensure clinical care, and 

develop educational programs. In 2013, the regional education 

coordinator reached more than 5,000 service members, families, 

providers, veterans, and other stakeholders through delivered 

and facilitated events, and staffing booth at events that reached 

targeted groups. The regional care coordinator completed 278 

patient follow-ups, ensuring that patients have access to the care 

and resources they need. In 2013, SAMMC research staff successfully recruited participants for the Study of Cognitive Rehabilitation Effectiveness (SCORE!) and Imaging Study of Cognitive Rehabilitation Effectiveness (iSCORE!). Site researchers are 

continuing to build their research portfolios to improve the lives 

of those who have suffered a TBI. The clinical care team screened 

1,183 patients at the inpatient, outpatient, and post-deployment 

settings and provided treatment on 774 occasions. 

Fort Bragg

DVBIC Fort Bragg serves the largest beneficiary population in the 

Army and functions as a part of the Womack Army Medical Center Department of Brain Injury (DBIM) and undertakes clinical 

research, ensures quality clinical care, and develops educational 

programs in coordination with other DVBIC sites and locations. 

Clinical research staff collaborated with DVBIC headquarters and 

other hospitals and agencies to conduct research in numerous 

studies. This work included the completion, acceptance, and publication of a manuscript on Phase I of the Head-to-Head Study. 

In 2013, the clinical care team assisted nearly 500 individuals, 

while the regional care coordinator served as single point of contact to monitor patient progress and provide expert consultation. 

The regional education coordinator reached nearly 4,500 service 

members, veterans, families, providers, and other stakeholders at 

events such as WAMC DBIM’s TBI awareness and cultural change 

promotion, which brought together military, business, and sport 

leaders to hold a concussion care forum for Fort Bragg soldiers. 
| 13 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

NETWORK SITES

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) is the only Level I 

Trauma Medical Treatment Facility outside the continental U.S. 

and the largest medical facility in the European Regional Medical 

Command. The mission of the TBI Screening Team at Landstuhl 

Regional Medical Center is to ensure all military personnel, civilian 

(DoD and contractors), and coalition military personnel who are 

medevac’d from theater for OND/OEF will undergo TBI screening 

before returning to duty or being sent back to the United States. 

The Intensive Rehabilitation TBI Program at LRMC aims to help 

patients return to duty and/or maximize their quality of life and 

recovery of function. To achieve this end, team members evaluate 

patient needs and work with the patient to develop a comprehensive plan tailored to the patient. In cases where the patient resides on a remotely located post or base in Europe, that patient is 

transported to LRMC where they are housed in the Medical Treatment Detachment (MTD), a no cost TDY, and treatment is provided. Aggressive treatment involving Vestibular Physical Therapy, 

Occupational Therapy, TBI optometry, Behavioral Health, Neurology and Physical Medicine, and Rehabilitation are incorporated 

to meet the needs of the patient. These treatments are primarily 

housed under one roof called the Rehabilitation Center or TBI 

Clinic. Regular team meetings allow real-time adjustment to care, 

focusing efforts on returning the patient to duty. 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER)

The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Mild Traumatic Brain Injury 

Clinic is DVBIC’s sole Air Force – based TBI facility. DVBIC JBER 

uses state-of-the-science diagnostic and rehabilitative equipment 

and complementary interventions such as acupuncture and restorative yoga to provide diagnostic and care services to a population 

of more than 12,000 active duty service members and retirees as 

well as their dependents. The site includes clinical and education 

staff. In 2013, the regional education coordinator reached 3,350 

service members, families, veterans, providers, and community 

members by sharing information about TBI prevention, screening, 

and care. 

Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir

The DVBIC team at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital TBI Department assists with the interdisciplinary evaluation of service members who are suspected to have a TBI. The site houses clinical 

care, care coordination, and education staff. In addition to training service members and their families, education staff reached 

out to the community through participation in health fairs, Yellow 

Ribbon events, and conferences in the area. Care coordination 

staff worked with TBI patients who have received care at the 

clinic to survey current resources and family outreach capabilities, 

and seek improvements by constantly tracking and tailoring programs for a patient-centered experience. On July 22, 2013, the 

Intrepid Spirit opened its doors to patient care. This new facility, 

also referred to as the Intrepid Spirit One, will further support the 

interdisciplinary, holistic TBI treatment model established by the 

DVBIC site director at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and offer 

continued care for wounded warriors and families with the full 

spectrum of mild to severe TBI.
| 14 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

NETWORK SITES

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center 

(WRNMMC)

The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center undertakes 

clinical investigative research, ensures clinical care, and develops 

educational programs in coordination with other DVBIC sites/locations. In 2013, the WRNMMC research team enrolled patients in 

existing studies while developing innovative protocols and collaborative efforts. They also facilitated the reception of the 15 Year 

Study personnel and equipment into the WRNMMC footprint. The 

clinical team continues to screen and evaluate new TBI patients 

while regional care coordinators track patients through the continuum of care. In 2013, the Brain Fitness Centers at WRNMMC 

and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital doubled their 2012 numbers 

from 390 to 793 patients served. The regional education coordinator has engaged in outreach opportunities outside of the hospital and surrounding community to educate service members, 

families, providers, and other key stakeholders. In 2013, the REC 

reached 10,506 service members, veterans, providers, and family 

members. 

VA Medical Center – Richmond

Richmond DVBIC is located within the Richmond VA Medical Center (RVAMC), a VISN-6 tertiary care center that offers a range 

of diagnostic and therapeutic services and serves as a national 

referral center for specialty care in several programs. The RVAMC 

is also a VHA Polytrauma Center, receiving and treating returning 

service members and veterans with multiple traumatic injuries 

sustained in the course of the current armed conflicts. The site 

has clinical research, care coordination, and education staff. The 

research core within Richmond DVBIC has continued to screen 

and recruit for all active protocols. The regional care coordinator 

had an active caseload of 89 individuals throughout the year, conducting initial evaluations and follow-up consultations at 3-month 

intervals for two years. The regional education coordinator provided support to over 900 service members, veterans, DoD and 

civilian providers and family members, through presentations and 

other events across their catchment area. 

VA Medical Center – Palo Alto

DVBIC Palo Alto has been a fundamental part of the success of 

VA Palo Alto Health Care System. The site continues its clinical 

investigative research by supporting ongoing research protocols, 

ensuring continued care coordination integrated with the Polytrauma Systems of Care (PSC) OEF/OIF Program, and developing educational programs and outreach in coordination with other DVBIC 

sites, the VA PSC, and local community centers. In 2013, the staff 

collaborated with the PSC to do innovative studies, including one 

focused on women and TBI. The education team developed and 

delivered educational opportunities and participated in the Brain 

Injury Associations for California, Oregon, and Washington, as 

well as several local groups addressing veterans and brain injury. 

The regional care coordinator provided support and assistance to 

the VA PNS and OEF/OIF/OND IntelaCare Project, an innovative 

healthcare technology project developed for veterans who have 

sustained TBIs, and had an active caseload of 52 at year’s end.
| 15 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

VA Medical Center - Minneapolis

Minneapolis DVBIC is located within the Minneapolis Veterans 

Affairs Health Care System (MVAHCS), a DVA VISN-23 tertiary 

care referral center and location of one of the five DVA comprehensive polytrauma centers. The Minneapolis VAHCS undertakes 

clinical investigative research, care coordination, and education. 

The research staff has worked to recruit participants for the TBI 

Model Systems and the Longitudinal Neurotrauma, Transcranial 

Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Control and CTF Protocol 

studies. The regional education coordinator based at Minneapolis 

DVBIC conducted educational outreach throughout a nine-state 

catchment area. The regional care coordinator provided assistance accessing TBI, VA, and civilian provider services to service 

members, reservists, veterans, and their families and ran teleconferences and presentations to support and promote the program.

VA Medical Center – Tampa

James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital houses DVBIC Tampa. The hospital is an acute and tertiary medical center that serves the largest number of veterans in the nation. The Spinal Cord Injury, Amputee, and Traumatic Brain Injury programs provide the highest 

quality of care in the VA by their designation as Clinical Centers 

of Excellence. The site undertakes clinical investigative research, 

ensures clinical care, and develops educational programs in coordination with other DVBIC sites/locations. Research staff have 

created and implemented an advanced access database to identify 

for enrollment in future studies. The regional education coordinator reached nearly 1,700 service members, civilian and DoD care 

providers, veterans, and family members through Yellow Ribbon 

events, REC delivered and facilitated events, and other occasions. 

The regional care coordinator primarily provided regular follow-up 

to OEF/OIF/OND service members or veterans who screened positive for TBI regardless of injury location. This follow-up included 

assessments and facilitating connections to direct service providers who could meet the patient’s needs.

VA Medical Center – Boston

The VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS) provides inpatient and 

outpatient services to veterans at three campuses and five freestanding clinics. Veterans are evaluated for TBI through our outpatient polytrauma network site. Post-acute polytrauma patients 

can be managed in our Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program. DVBIC Boston focuses on conducting research 

on TBI assessment, treatment, and functional outcomes. The site 

also offers physical medicine and a range of rehabilitative services 

to veterans with TBI. Current research efforts focus on areas of 

cognitive and emotional functioning, and post-deployment and 

community reintegration.

NETWORK SITES
| 16 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

RESOURCES

Order & Print Materials

Acute Concussion Educational Brochure

Acute Stress Reaction Fact Sheet

Army 2013 Brain Injury Awareness (BIA) Posters

Assessment and Management of Dizziness Associated with 

mTBI Clinical Recommendations, Reference Card, and Training 

Slide Deck

Assessment and Management of Visual Dysfunction Associated 

with mTBI Algorithm Card, Clinical Recommendations, Patient 

Tool, and Training Slide Deck

Back to School Guide to Academic Success After Traumatic 

Brain Injury

Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM), Modalities and 

Interventions Fact Sheet

Concussion Management Algorithm (CMA) Pocket Cards and 

Wallet Cards

Concussion Management Guidance for Garrison Setting 

(ARMY EXORD 2013)

DVBIC Fact Sheet

Family Caregiver Fact Sheets and Postcards

Family Caregiver PSA

Family Needs Product Line - Addressing Family Needs

Family Needs Product Line - Taking Care of Yourself While Caring 

for Others

Family Needs Product Line - Talking to Children About 

Mod/Sev TBI

Family Needs Product Line - Talking to Children About TBI

Concussion/mTBI Information

For Use >1 Month After Injury or at Post Deployment Health 

Assessment (Not for Acute Period)

HEADS Cards

HEADS Posters

ICD-9 Coding Fact Sheet and Pocket Card

Indications and Conditions for In-Theater Post-Injury 

Neurocognitive Assessment Tool (NCAT) Testing

Marine 2013 Brain Injury Awareness (BIA) Posters

Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE) Pocket Cards and 

Wallet Cards

A soldier receives important 

information on the signs and 

symptoms of a concussion during 

a consultation at the Traumatic 

Brain Injury clinic at Fort Belvoir 

Community Hospital. U.S. Army 

photo by Carlson Gray
| 17 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

mTBI Pocket Guide

Neurocognitive Assessment Tool (NCAT) CR Fact Sheet

Neuroendocrine Dysfunction (NED) Screening Post mTBI Clinical 

Recommendations, Pocket Card, and Training Slide Deck

Neuroimaging Following mTBI in the Non-Deployed Setting 

Clinical Recommendations, Support Tool (Reference Card), and 

Training Slide Deck

Signs and Symptoms Fact Sheet (Available in English, Estonian, 

French, Georgian, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian, 

and Spanish)

Symptom Management Fact Sheet - Head Injury and Dizziness

Symptom Management Fact Sheet - Headache/Neck Pain

Symptom Management Fact Sheet - Healthy Sleep

Symptom Management Fact Sheet - Improving Memory

Symptom Management Fact Sheet - Mood Changes

TBI Consult Cards

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Mod/Sev Fact Sheet

RESOURCES

Web Products

6 Free Military TBI Smartphone Apps for Treatment & Recovery 

(Brain Injury Rehabilitation)

20 Life-Changing Android Apps for People with Brain Injury 

(Assistive Tech)

27 Life-Changing iPhone and iPad Apps for People with 

Brain Injury

About Traumatic Brain Injury (Brain Basics Slideshow)

About Traumatic Brain Injury 

(Leading Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury)

mTBI Pocket Guide Mobile Application

TBI 201: Overview of TBI for Military Healthcare Providers

Web-based Mild TBI Case Studies

Assessing and Managing Fatigue and Sleep Dysfunction

Assessing and Treating Dizziness and Disequilibrium

Assessing the Individual with Persistent Headaches

Assessing the Individual with Persistent Symptoms

Cognitive and Behavioral Symptom Management

Diagnosing Mild Traumatic Brain Injury 

DoD ICD-9-CM Coding Guidance for Traumatic Brain Injury

Management of Hearing and Vision Problems Following mTBI

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Putting it All Together Part 1 & 2

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Return to Duty/Activity

Use, Administration, and Interpretation of the MACE
| 18 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

Webinars

The Battle Within: TBI, PTSD, and Violence Risk 

Speaker: Dr. Cynthia Boyd, DVBIC-NMC, San Diego

Post-traumatic Headaches in the Military Population: Initial Management and Alternate Approaches 

Speakers: Dr. Marc S. Husid and Dr. John L. Rigg, Neuroscience 

and Rehabilitation Center, Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical 

Center, Fort Gordon, GA

Overview of Imaging Techniques for TBI from Current Standards 

to Advanced Techniques 

Speaker: LTC Gerald York, M.D., Director of Research, Radiology, 

Co-Site Director, DVBIC - San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX

Intimacy: Sex, Drugs, and TBI 

Speaker: Sally P. Cummings, Ed.D., FNP, Concussion Care Clinic, 

Department of Brain Injury Care, Womack Army Medical Center, 

Fort Bragg, NC

Acute Severe TBI: Lessons Learned and Prospects for Future 

Treatment

Speaker: Donald W. Marion, M.D., MSc. Senior Clinical Consultant, Clinical Affairs, DVBIC

Advancing TBI Care for Veterans: Updates from the Polytrauma 

System of Care

Speakers: Alison Cernich, Ph.D., ABPP, Board Certified in Clinical 

Neuropsychology, Acting Deputy Director for Veterans Affairs for 

DCoE; Treven Pickett, PsyD, ABPP, Board Certified in Rehabilitation Psychology, Acting VA Senior Liaison for TBI for DCoE

RESOURCES

Assessment of Effort and Validity in Neuropsychological Testing: 

The Importance of Determining Symptom Credibility

Speakers: Wesley R. Cole, Ph.D., Senior Scientific Director, DVBIC 

and Neuropsychologist, Department of Brain Injury Medicine, 

Womack Army Medical Center; Robert Stegman, Ph.D., Clinical 

Neuropsychologist, Department of Brain Injury Medicine, Womack 

Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC

ICD-9-Clinical Modification Coding Guidance for TBI within 

the MHS

Speakers: Lt. Tracie Lattimore, R.N., MSN, N.P.-C N.C., USNR, 

Deputy Director, Navy Traumatic Brain Injury Programs within 

Wounded Ill and Injured (M9), U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and 

Surgery (BUMED); Lynne M. Lowe, P.T., DPT, OCS, ORISE Fellow – Knowledge Preservation, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration 

Division Health Policy and Services, Army Office of the 

Surgeon General

Coaching Student Veterans and Service Members with TBI

Speakers: Mary R.T. Kennedy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Associate Professor, Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Don MacLennan, M.A., CCC-SLP, 

Chief, Speech Pathology Section, Minneapolis VA Health 

Care System
| 19 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

TBI Global Synapse Town Hall: Your Information Connection

Speakers: Col. Sidney R. Hinds, M.D., Director, DVBIC; Lt. Cmdr. 

Cathleen Shields, M.S., CCC-SLP/CBIS, Acting Director of Education, DVBIC; Stephanie N. Maxfield-Panker, P.T., Ph.D., DPT, 

OCS, TBI Program Director (Acting), Office of the Army Surgeon 

General, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Division Defense Health 

Headquarters, Falls Church, VA; Alison Cernich, Ph.D., ABPP, 

Deputy Director, DCoE

The Role of Integrative Medicine in the Treatment of TBI

Speakers: David F. Drake, M.D., Director, Pain Clinic/Director, 

Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center; Margaret 

MacDonald, M.D., Senior Scientific Director, Defense and Veterans 

Brain Injury Center, Fort Carson, CO; Jean-Louis Belard, M.D., 

Ph.D., M.Ac., Research Advisor for Integrative Medicine, DVBIC.

State of the Science: Clinical, Metabolic, and Pathologic Effects of 

Multiple Concussions

Speakers: Steven DeKosky, M.D.; J. Clay Goodman, M.D.; David 

Hovda, Ph.D.; Donald Marion, M.D.

RESOURCES PUBLICATIONS

Belanger H.G., Barwick F.H., Kip K.E., Kretzmer T., Vanderploeg 

R.D. (2013). Postconcussive symptom complaints and potentially malleable positive predictors. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 

27(3), 343-55.

Belanger H.G., Vanderploeg R.D., Silva M.A., Cimino C.R., Roper 

B.L., Bodin D. (2013). Postdoctoral recruitment in neuropsychology: A review and call for interorganizational action. The Clinical 

Neuropsychologist, 27(2), 159-75.

Cifu, D.X., et al. The history and evolution of traumatic brain injury rehabilitation in military service members and veterans in the 

United States, in Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological 

Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: DoD’s response to psychological health (PH) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). In Amara, J., 

Hendricks, A. (2013) Military Health Care: From Pre-Deployment 

To Post-Separation. London and New York: Routledge. 

Cole, W.R., Arrieux, J.P., Schwab, K., Ivins, B.J., Qashu, F.M., Lewis, S.C. (2013). Test-retest reliability of four computerized neurocognitive assessment tools in an active duty military population. 

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 26(7), 732-42.

Donnell A.J., Kim M.S., Silva M.A., Vanderploeg R.D. (2012). Incidence of postconcussion symptom complex in psychiatric diagnostic groups, mild traumatic brain injury, and comorbid conditions. 

The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 26(7), 1092-1101.

Farrell-Carnahan, L., Franke, L., Graham, C., McNamee, S. 

(2013). Subjective sleep disturbance in veterans receiving care 

in the Veterans Affairs polytrauma system following blast-related 

mild traumatic brain injury. Military Medicine, 178(9), 951-6.

Graner, J., Oakes, T.R., French, L.M., Riedy, G. (2013). Functional 

MRI in the investigation of blast-related traumatic brain injury. 

Frontiers in Neurology, 4, 4-16. 
| 20 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

PUBLICATIONS

Kean, J., Malec, J.F., Cooper, D.B., Bowles, A.O. (2013). Utility of 

the mayo-portland adaptability inventory-4 for self-reported outcomes in a military sample with traumatic brain injury. Archives 

of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 94(12), 2417-24.

King, E.G., Kretzmer, T.S., Vanderploeg, R.D., Asmussen, S.B., Climent, V.L., Belanger, H.G. (2013). Pilot of a novel intervention for 

postconcussive symptoms in active duty, veterans, and civilians. 

Rehabilitation Psychology, 58(3), 272-9.

Lamberty, G.J., Nakase-Richardson, R., Farrell-Carnahan, L., McGarity, S., Bidelspach, D., Harrison-Felix, C., Cifu, D.X. (2013). 

Development of a traumatic brain injury model system within the 

Department of Veterans Affairs polytrauma system of care. The 

Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

Lange, R.T., Brickell, T., French, L.M., Ivins, B., Bhagwat, A., 

Pancholi, S., Iverson, G.L. (2013). Risk factors for postconcussion 

symptom reporting after traumatic brain injury in U.S. military 

service members. Journal of Neurotrauma, 30(4), 237-46.

Lange, R.T., Edmed, S.L., Sullivan, K.A., French, L.M., Cooper, 

D.B. (2013). Utility of the mild brain injury atypical symptoms 

scale to detect symptom exaggeration: an analogue simulation 

study. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 

35(2), 192-209.

Lange, R.T., Shewchuk, J.R., Heran, M.K., Rauscher, A., Jarrett, 

M., Brubacher, J., Iverson, G. (2013). To exclude or not to exclude: Further examination of the influence of white matter hyperintensities in diffusion tensor imaging research. Journal of 

Neurotrauma, 31(2), 198-205. 

Marion, D., Grimes, J., Kelly, J., Flores, E., 3rd. (2013). Loss of 

consciousness and concussion. Annals of Neurology, 74(1), 150-2.

Nakase-Richardson, R., McNamee, S., Howe, L.L., Massengale, 

J., Peterson, M., Barnett, S.D., Harris, O., McCarthy, M., Tran, J., 

Scott, S., Cifu, D.X. (2013). Descriptive characteristics and rehabilitation outcomes in active duty military personnel and veterans 

with disorders of consciousness with combat and non-combat 

related brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 94(10), 1861-9.

Nakase-Richardson, R., Sherer, M., Barnett, S.D., Yablon, S.A., 

Evans, C.C., Kretzmer, T., Schwartz, D.J., Modarres, M. (2013). 

Prospective evaluation of the nature, course, and impact of acute 

sleep abnormality after traumatic brain injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 94(5), 875-82.

Nakase-Richardson, R., Tran, J., Cifu, D., Barnett, S.D., Horn, 

L.J., Greenwald, B.D., Brunner, R.C., Whyte, J., Hammond, F.M., 

Yablon, S.A., Giacino, J.T. (2013). Do rehabilitation rates differ 

among injury severity levels in the NIDRR traumatic brain injury 

model systems program? Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 94(10), 1884-90. 

Nelson, L.A., Macdonald, M., Stall, C., Pazdan, R. (2013). Effects 

of interactive metronome therapy on cognitive functioning after 

blast-related brain injury: A randomized controlled pilot trial. 

Neuropsychology, 27(6), 666-79.

Niemeier, J.P., Marwitz, J.H., Walker, W.C., Davis, L.C., Bushnik, T., 

Ripley, D.L., Ketchum, J.M. (2013). Are there cognitive and neurobehavioral correlates of hormonal neuroprotection for women 

after TBI? Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 23, 363-82.

Pavawalla S.P., Salazar R., Cimino C., Belanger H.G., Vanderploeg 

R.D. (2013) An exploration of diagnosis threat and group identification following concussion injury. Journal of International Neuropsychological Society, 19(3), 305-13.
| 21 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

Robinson, C.K., Helmick, K., Guthrie, J. Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury: DoD’s 

response to psychological health (PH) and traumatic brain injury 

(TBI). In Amara, J. Hendricks, A. (2013) Military Health Care: 

From Pre-Deployment To Post-Separation. London and New York: 

Routledge.

Roebuck-Spencer, T.M., Vincent, A.S., Gilliland, K., Johnson, D.R., 

Cooper, D.B. (2013). Initial clinical validation of an embedded 

performance validity measure within the automated neuropsychological metrics (ANAM). Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 

28(7), 700-10.

Scholten J., Cernich A., Hurley R.A., Helmick K. (2013). Department of Veterans Affairs’ traumatic brain injury screening and 

evaluation program: promoting individualized interdisciplinary 

care for symptomatic Veterans. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 28(3), 219-22.

Silverberg, N., Lange, R.T., Millis, S., Rose, A., Hopp, G., Leach, 

S., Iverson, G. (2013). Postconcussion symptom reporting following multiple mild traumatic brain injuries. Journal of Neurotrauma, 30(16), 1398-404.

Soble, J.R., Donnell, A.J., Belanger, H.G. (2013). TBI and nonverbal executive functioning: Examination of a modified design fluency test's psychometric properties and sensitivity to focal frontal 

injury. Applied Neuropsychology Adult. 

Sullivan, K.A., Elliot, C.D., Lange, R.T., Anderson, D.S. (2013). A 

known-groups evaluation of the response bias scale in a neuropsychological setting. Applied Neuropsychology, 20(1), 20-32.

Tate, D.F., York, G.E., Reid, M.W., Cooper, D.B., Jones, L., Robin, 

D.A., Kennedy, J.E., Lewis, J. (2013). Preliminary findings of cortical thickness abnormalities in blast injured service members and 

their relationship to clinical findings. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 

8(1), 102-9. 

Vanderploeg R.D., Belanger H.G. (2013). Screening for a remote 

history of mild traumatic brain injury: when a good idea is bad. 

Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 28(3), 211-8.

Vanderploeg, R.D., Cooper, D.B., Belanger, H.G., Donnell, A.J., 

Kennedy, J.E., Hopewell, A., Scott, S.G. (2013). Screening for 

post-deployment conditions: Development and cross-validation 

of an embedded validity scale in the neurobehavioral symptom 

inventory. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 29(1), 1-10.

Vanderploeg, R.D., Donnell, A.J., Belanger, H.G., Curtiss, G. 

(2013). Consolidation deficits in traumatic brain injury: The core 

and residual verbal memory defect. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 36(1), 58-73. 

Vanderploeg R.D., Silva M.A., Soble Jr., Curtiss G., Belanger H.G., 

Donnell A.J., Scott S.G. (2013). The structure of postconcussion 

symptoms on the neurobehavioral symptom inventory: a comparison of alternative models. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

Waljas, M., Iverson, G.L., Lange, R.T., Liimatainen, S., Hartikainen, K.M., Dastidar, P., Soimakallio, S., Ohman, J. (2013). Return 

to work following mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head 

Trauma Rehabilitation. 

Walker, W.C., Franke, L.M., Cifu, D.X., Hart, B.B. (2013) Randomized, sham-controlled, feasibility trial of hyperbaric oxygen for 

service members with postconcussion syndrome: Cognitive and 

psychomotor outcomes 1 week postintervention. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair.

PUBLICATIONS
| 22 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

Walker, W.C., Marwitz, J.H., Wilk, A.R., Ketchum, J.M., Hoffman, 

J.M., Brown, A.W., Lucas, S. (2013). Prediction of headache severity (density and functional impact) after traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal multicenter study. Cephalalgia, 33(12), 998-

1008.

Walker, W.C., McDonald, S.D., Ketchum, J.M., Nichols, M., Cifu, 

D.X. (2013). Identification of transient altered consciousness induced by military-related blast exposure and its relation to postconcussion symptoms. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 

28(1), 68-76.

West, T.A., Marion, D.W. (2013). Current recommendations for 

the diagnosis and treatment of concussion in sport: A comparison 

of three new guidelines. Journal of Neurotrauma, 31(2), 159-68. 

Whyte, J., Nakase-Richardson, R. (2013). Disorders of consciousness: Outcomes, comorbidities, and care needs. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 94(10), 1851-4.

PUBLICATIONS
| 23 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

“ We listen to our stakeholders to come up with 

clinical recommendations and educational tools to 

give our DoD and VA medical beneficiaries the most 

current diagnostics and best treatments available. 

Our research and clinical recommendations not 

only benefit the military health service system, but 

also contribute to the civilian medical profession’s 

body of knowledge.” - COL Sidney Hinds II, U.S. Army

DVBIC National Director 
| 24 | 2013 DVBIC Annual Report

1335 East-West Highway, Suite 6-100 | Silver Spring, MD 20910 | 800.872.9244 | DVBIC.DCOE.mil