VA Refining Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment.   The Columbia Missourian (9/16, Williams, 16K) reports "many returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans" suffer from traumatic brain injury (TBI), which "has become one of the signature wounds" of veterans serving in both places. And, according to the Missourian, the Department of Veterans Affairs "has refined its treatment of veterans who have these newly recognized injuries." For example, at the Truman Veterans Hospital, staff neuropsychologist Zachary Osborn "helps evaluate veterans for cognitive and mental health issues. Though researchers are exploring ways to rebuild the brain, Osborn said the veterans hospital uses a holistic approach to treating its patients, working to improve the veterans' quality of life through therapy, medication and assistant devices."
      Two VA Doctors To Receive Award For Research On Vision Problems Experienced By Iraq, Afghanistan Vets.   The San Jose (CA) Mercury News (9/16, Bernstein-Wax) reports two doctors at the Palo Alto VA hospital "have received a prestigious award for their research on vision problems related to combat blasts" in Iraq and Afghanistan vets. Research psychologist Dr. Gregory Goodrich "and Chief of Ophthalmology Dr. Glenn Cockerham will receive the 2009 Olin E. Teague Award at a special ceremony in Washington, DC, on Thursday, the VA Palo Alto Health Care System said in a statement." The Mercury News notes that the research conducted by Goodrich and Cockerham "led to the adoption of standard eye examination techniques at all Veterans Affairs' trauma centers to detect such issues before serious vision loss occurs."
Impact: OEF/OIF treatments

Obama's First Medal Of Honor Will Go To Soldier Killed In Afghanistan.   The AP (9/16) reports, "President Barack Obama is giving his first Medal of Honor to a soldier who sacrificed his life saving a comrade in Afghanistan." The President "plans to award the honor to Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti during a ceremony at the White House on Thursday." The Brockton (MA) Enterprise (9/16, Alspach, 30K), meanwhile, notes that the Monti "family has come to the Washington, D.C., area to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, on behalf of their loved one, Army Sgt. First Class Jared C. Monti of Raynham, Mass."
Impact: OEF medal