Blast-Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Case Report Highlighting the Long-Term Neurocognitive Sequelae Following Blast Exposure in Veterans

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant public health concern, particularly among military service members exposed to blast-related trauma. While mild TBIs often resolve within weeks, a subset of patients may experience lifelong, persistent, debilitating symptoms. We report a case of a previously healthy male combat medic who sustained a blast-related traumatic brain injury during deployment in Afghanistan, with no loss of consciousness or direct head trauma. Despite the initial mild presentation, he has experienced chronic post-concussive symptoms for over 15 years. This patient presented at a follow-up at the Veterans Affairs Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic with worsened symptomatology. The purpose of this case report is to highlight some of the sequelae of traumatic brain injuries endured by veterans in the military and to underscore the complex and chronic nature of blast-related traumatic brain injuries based on an individualized scale.