Traumatic Brain Injury Becomes Signature Wound in Iran Conflict, U.S. Official Says

The Rising Threat of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Modern Warfare

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are becoming a defining feature of the U.S. conflict with Iran, mirroring patterns observed in previous wars following 9/11. A U.S. official has revealed that over 200 American troops have been wounded in this ongoing conflict, with at least 140 of those injuries linked to TBIs. This surge is largely attributed to Iran’s use of one-way attack drones, which deliver concussive blasts that severely impact U.S. forces stationed across the Middle East, including locations such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.

The symptoms of TBI can be subtle initially but often persist for years or even a lifetime. These include persistent headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and vertigo, alongside more severe cognitive effects like memory loss, impaired decision-making, and difficulty concentrating. For veterans who suffer from TBIs, the risk of suicide is nearly double compared to those without such injuries, according to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Dr. Jayna Moceri-Brooks, an expert in combat-related brain injuries, emphasizes the severity of these injuries. “If they’re near a blast, there should be no doubt they have a TBI,” she said. “You can’t escape from blast overpressure… symptoms can be debilitating.”

The Legacy of TBIs in Post-9/11 Conflicts

TBIs have long been a signature wound in post-9/11 conflicts, as insurgent tactics have increasingly relied on explosives to target U.S. troops. Between 2001 and 2023, over 460,000 service members were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, according to VA data. However, it wasn’t until 2011, nearly a decade into the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that the Army officially recognized TBIs as eligible for the Purple Heart.

In January 2020, after Iran launched 15 ballistic missiles at U.S. forces at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq, the first Trump administration initially claimed no troops had been injured. This assessment was later revised, with the administration eventually acknowledging that 110 service members had been wounded, most suffering from traumatic brain injuries caused by the blast.

Personal Struggles of a Veteran

Staff Sgt. Aaron Futrell, 44, a member of the Ohio Army National Guard, experienced the lasting effects of a TBI firsthand. He was near one of the missile strikes at Al Asad and has since dealt with a range of lingering symptoms. What were once daily, debilitating migraines have only recently subsided to once or twice a week with treatment through the VA. He still experiences memory lapses, describing his cognition at times as “buffering like a YouTube video,” struggling mid-sentence to find the right words.

The first year after his injury was particularly challenging. Futrell reported extreme fatigue, often going straight to bed after work and feeling as though he “lost a year” of his life. He was medically discharged from the Guard, where he served in aviation operations, and received a high disability compensation rating from the VA.

Even routine settings can present challenges. Loud, echoing environments, like his son’s school, can trigger headaches, sometimes forcing him to sit out events from his car. “I limit myself to some places,” Futrell said. “It’s learning what places might trigger headaches or be stress-inducing.”

The toll of his injury extends beyond his own health. “It has been a huge strain on my family and me,” he said. “I don’t look disabled. I can act like a normal individual. I’m good until I’m not.”