Live Veteran News · A Wounded Warriors Initiative

988 · Press 1

Live Wire

← Back to briefing Health

I Was Exposed to 150 Blasts While Deployed to Iraq. My Brain Was Changed

By Katie Strain· The War Horse ·Wednesday, October 15, 2025 ·1 min read

𝕏 in f WA ✉

I Was Exposed to 150 Blasts While Deployed to Iraq. My Brain Was Changed

';this.onerror=null">

wp. com/thewarhorse.

Our analysis

The long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder on veterans, as described in this personal account, highlight the complexities of accessing effective healthcare through the VA system. Despite attending therapy sessions with the VA and a private psychologist, the author's symptoms worsened, leading to increased social anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other issues. This outcome underscores the need for tailored and sensitive approaches to treating veterans with complex mental health needs. The fact that the author's experiences with therapy exacerbated their symptoms suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment may not be sufficient. As the VA continues to grapple with the legacy of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, it is crucial that the agency prioritizes the development of personalized and trauma-informed care models that can effectively support veterans in their recovery and reintegration into civilian life.

Health

Live Whole Health #320: You deserve a break

Do you spend hours jumping between screens, messages and tasks during the day? Over time, this can make your mind tired and your body stiff.

VA News

Health

First in VA to receive cutting-edge epilepsy treatment

A groundbreaking laser procedure offers a safer option for epilepsy treatment Back in 1980, when Robert Lindemann decided to enlist in the A

VA News

Veterans Crisis Line

Need to talk?

Free, confidential support 24/7 for veterans, service members, and their families.

Call 988 — Press 1 Text 838255

Why this matters in United States

Veterans News covers veterans news because the national news cycle treats it as a soundbite. We treat it as a beat. Stories like the one you just read sit at the intersection of policy, lived experience, and public-record reporting that's too rarely connected.

About this coverage

Every story on Veterans News is summarized from and links to the original publisher's reporting, with local context added for our readers. We do not republish full articles — we link back to the source, summarize key facts, link to the source, and add the local or topical relevance that our audience needs. Our editorial standards and corrections policy are public: see veteransnews.org/editorial-standards.

About Veterans News

Veterans News is published by Wounded Warriors as part of the Wounded Warriors Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover veterans news, VA benefits, GI Bill, military transition. This publication is self-funded by its founders.

Stay informed

Tip a story → info@warriorsfund.org · Corrections → corrections policy

More stories

Recent coverage curated from local and regional sources.

I Was Exposed to 150 Blasts While Deployed to Iraq. My Brain Was Changed

Need to talk?

More stories

Inside Operation Frequent Wind and the scramble to get US military out of Vietnam

Trump Promised Redemption for Troops Who Refused Covid Shots. A Year Later, Many Are Still Waiting

VA reduces improper payments for private health care by 98% since 2020, GAO finds

Hazing could soon become a specific charge under military law

Pentagon to roll out new test to assess troops’ cognitive performance

How a $10 billion veterans bill became a $78 billion debate

Vermont built its Founding Father a 42-Foot monument. Then couldn’t find his body.

Expert attorneys created a free estate planning guide for active duty and veterans

Life after cancer: Support for the journey beyond treatment

Enlisted Marines in the US will not be getting single barracks rooms

These are the 3 soldiers killed by Iran’s attack on a base in Jordan

How Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘Great White Fleet’ revealed the Navy’s potential

Military Spouse Life Prepared Me for Almost Anything. Then Came Retirement

Medal of Honor recipients on service, hope and legacy of duty

Explore physical therapy careers at VA

Your experience matters. Take the 2026 Military Family Lifestyle Survey

Two Air National Guard commanders fired for ‘loss of confidence’

Two new Cold War movies spark America’s anti-authoritarian memory

One Veteran’s journey from homelessness to honored caretaker

Abandoned Navy base costs taxpayers $340,000 a year in internet nobody uses

All Services Now Issue Form DD214-1 to Departing Reservists

From denial to relief: One veteran’s battle over cancer benefits

Pentagon identifies soldier killed in Iraq during controlled detonation

Ever heard of VA’s Energy Efficient Mortgages?

I Was Exposed to 150 Blasts While Deployed to Iraq. My Brain Was Changed

Related Health stories

Virtual reality pain treatment expands for veterans

Live Whole Health #320: You deserve a break

First in VA to receive cutting-edge epilepsy treatment

Need to talk?

More stories

Inside Operation Frequent Wind and the scramble to get US military out of Vietnam

Trump Promised Redemption for Troops Who Refused Covid Shots. A Year Later, Many Are Still Waiting

VA reduces improper payments for private health care by 98% since 2020, GAO finds

Hazing could soon become a specific charge under military law

Pentagon to roll out new test to assess troops’ cognitive performance

How a $10 billion veterans bill became a $78 billion debate

Vermont built its Founding Father a 42-Foot monument. Then couldn’t find his body.

Expert attorneys created a free estate planning guide for active duty and veterans

Life after cancer: Support for the journey beyond treatment

Enlisted Marines in the US will not be getting single barracks rooms

These are the 3 soldiers killed by Iran’s attack on a base in Jordan

How Teddy Roosevelt’s ‘Great White Fleet’ revealed the Navy’s potential

Military Spouse Life Prepared Me for Almost Anything. Then Came Retirement

Medal of Honor recipients on service, hope and legacy of duty

Explore physical therapy careers at VA

Your experience matters. Take the 2026 Military Family Lifestyle Survey

Two Air National Guard commanders fired for ‘loss of confidence’

Two new Cold War movies spark America’s anti-authoritarian memory

One Veteran’s journey from homelessness to honored caretaker

Abandoned Navy base costs taxpayers $340,000 a year in internet nobody uses

All Services Now Issue Form DD214-1 to Departing Reservists

From denial to relief: One veteran’s battle over cancer benefits

Pentagon identifies soldier killed in Iraq during controlled detonation

Ever heard of VA’s Energy Efficient Mortgages?