The Hidden cost of Combat: How Shoulder-Fired Rocket Launchers Are Impacting Veterans’ Health
For years,the physical and mental toll of combat has been a well-documented reality for veterans. But for Mike Lozano,a marine corps veteran from Steamboat Springs,Colorado,the aftermath of war has taken an unexpected turn. Lozano, who served from 1991 to 2004 and later in the Air Force Reserves until 2021, is now raising awareness about a rare condition linked to his years of operating shoulder-fired rocket launchers: arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
AVM is a rare tangle of abnormal blood vessels prone to bleeding, affecting fewer than one in 1,000 people. lozano and fellow Marine William Wilcox both suffer from this condition,which they believe is tied to the repeated concussive blasts from firing heavy weapons like the TOW (anti-tank) missile and the SMAW (shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon).
“His AVM burst, but mine was caught in time,” Lozano said in a recent interview. “Many other heavy weapon operators who were deployed have been diagnosed with similar brain injuries becuase of the concussive blast exposure. I still struggle with cognitive issues aside from my post-traumatic stress and anxiety.”
The Toll of Combat
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Lozano’s military career was marked by intense combat experiences, including a harrowing firefight in Iraq.during an ambush, his squad rescued a tank disabled by a rocket-propelled grenade. As Lozano returned fire, the recoil from a nearby American tank knocked him unconscious.
“We fired a lot of TOW missiles,” Lozano recalled. “We fired them in combat,in training — all types of weapons — and it was constant.”
These repeated exposures to concussive blasts, combined with incidents like the tank recoil, likely contributed to the formation of an AVM in Lozano’s right frontal lobe, discovered in 2019. while he underwent a triumphant craniotomy, the residual effects persist. Wilcox, however, wasn’t as fortunate. His AVM ruptured, leaving him with lifelong health issues.
A Life Altered
After leaving the Marines, Lozano transitioned to the air Force Reserves and later worked with federal law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. But his post-service life has been plagued by severe headaches, memory lapses, and difficulty sleeping.
“I take medication for the headaches, to help me to sleep at night, and I take medicine for the PTSD, which calms me,” Lozano shared. “I don’t like taking the pills as of the side effects, but the ones I’m on right now have been good. It was a nightmare going from one medication to another, and they just kept throwing medications at me until I thought there’s got to be something else.”
That “something else” came in the form of the Warhorse Ranch, a sanctuary Lozano and his wife, Valery, founded in 2019 to help other veterans cope with the trauma of war.
A Call for Awareness
Lozano’s story highlights a growing concern among veterans who operated heavy weapons. “We were firing 153-millimeter missiles from our shoulders, so it’s becoming a big issue,” he said. “I still remember the feeling of firing the SMAW … there is a big boom, it shakes you and it rocks you.”
His advocacy aims to bring attention to the long-term health risks associated with repeated blast exposure, urging the military and medical communities to prioritize research and support for affected veterans.
| Key Points | Details |
|—————–|————-|
| Condition | Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) |
| Cause | Repeated concussive blasts from shoulder-fired rocket launchers |
| Symptoms | Cognitive issues, severe headaches, memory lapses, PTSD |
| Treatment | Craniotomy, medication for headaches and PTSD |
| Advocacy | raising awareness through warhorse Ranch |
Lozano’s journey is a stark reminder of the unseen scars of war. As he continues to advocate for fellow veterans, his story underscores the need for greater understanding and support for those who bear the hidden costs of combat.
For more details on AVM, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Veterans in Yampa valley Face Challenges Accessing Mental Health and Dental Care
For veterans in the Yampa Valley, accessing essential health services like mental health care and dental treatment remains a significant challenge. Despite having benefits through programs like the Veterans Administration (VA) Community Care Program, Tricare, and TriWest, many veterans struggle to find local providers who accept these plans. This issue has left many feeling underserved and overlooked, as highlighted by local veteran advocate Lozano, who is working to bridge the gap in care for his fellow service members.
A Veteran’s Struggle for Accessible Care
Lozano, a dedicated advocate for veterans, has firsthand experience with the difficulties of navigating the healthcare system.Before Dr. Tracy Vargas, a neurologist and Army veteran, joined UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, Lozano had to travel to Glenwood Springs for his appointments. “It was too burdensome to travel, so I did not get the treatment I needed,” he shared.Thanks to Dr. vargas, Lozano’s headaches have considerably reduced, and he now receives care closer to home. “She can relate to the difficulties that veterans go through as she is an Army veteran,” he said.
Though, the challenges don’t end there. Mental health care and dental services remain scarce for veterans in the Yampa Valley. according to Lozano, there are fewer than five mental health therapists in the area who are part of the VA Community Care Program and accept Tricare and triwest. Similarly, dental providers enrolled in the program are limited, leaving veterans with few options for care.
The need for More Providers
Lozano emphasized the importance of expanding access to mental health and dental care for veterans. “We truly are the .01 percent of the population that have fallen through the cracks of the constant struggle with medical insurance,” he said.“we have the benefits, but we don’t have the providers.”
He expressed gratitude for the free dental services provided by Pine Grove Dental Arts on veterans Day but stressed that more consistent care is needed. “If our mental health and dental providers in the Yampa Valley choose not to be a part of the VA Community Care program, this will not help veterans,” he added.
A Call to Action
Lozano’s advocacy extends beyond his personal experiences. He has joined the Agricultural Behavioral Health Work Group, where he aims to shape guidance related to behavioral health care for ranchers and farmers. His work highlights the broader need for accessible healthcare services in rural communities, where resources are often limited.
For veterans in the Yampa Valley,the lack of providers accepting VA benefits is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. Lozano’s efforts underscore the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers, the VA, and local communities to ensure that veterans receive the care they deserve.
| Key Challenges for Veterans in Yampa Valley | Current Solutions | Needed Improvements |
|————————————————-|———————–|————————–|
| Limited mental health therapists accepting VA benefits | Dr. Tracy Vargas provides neurological care | More mental health providers enrolled in VA programs |
| Few dental providers in the VA Community Care Program | free dental services on Veterans Day | Consistent dental care options for veterans |
| Travel burdens for accessing specialized care | UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center offers local care | Expanded local healthcare services |
Conclusion
The struggles faced by veterans in the Yampa Valley highlight a critical gap in healthcare access. While programs like the VA Community Care Program, Tricare, and TriWest provide essential benefits, the lack of local providers limits their effectiveness. Advocates like Lozano are working tirelessly to address these challenges, but more support is needed to ensure that veterans receive the care they need.By increasing the number of providers who accept VA benefits and expanding local healthcare services, we can honor the sacrifices of our veterans and ensure they receive the support they deserve.For more information on the VA Community Care Program,visit the official VA website.To learn about Tricare and TriWest, check out their respective pages: Tricare and TriWest.
Let’s work together to bridge the gap and provide veterans with the care they’ve earned.OpenAI’s o1-Preview: revolutionizing AI with Thoughtful Solutions and SEO-Friendly Content Generation
The world of artificial intelligence is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and OpenAI’s latest innovation, the o1-preview, is at the forefront of this conversion. Promising not just answers but reasoned,thoughtful solutions,this cutting-edge AI model is designed to tackle some of the most complex challenges faced by professionals today. Whether you’re a journalist,marketer,or business leader,the o1-preview offers a new way to generate SEO-friendly articles with just one click,revolutionizing content creation as we know it.
A New era of AI-Driven content Creation
OpenAI’s o1-preview is more than just a tool—it’s a game-changer. By leveraging advanced algorithms, it delivers deeply engaging, well-researched, and plagiarism-free content tailored to your needs. This AI model doesn’t just spit out generic responses; it provides thoughtful solutions that are both insightful and actionable.
As an example, platforms like Easy-Peasy AI are already harnessing this technology to help users generate SEO-optimized articles effortlessly. With features like one-click article generation, users can create high-quality content in minutes, saving time and resources while maintaining a professional edge.
the Power of AI News Article Generators
The rise of AI-powered tools like the AI News Article Generator is a testament to the growing demand for efficient content creation. These tools allow users to generate news articles, headlines, subtitles, and excerpts based on specific requirements. By integrating OpenAI’s o1-preview, these platforms offer unparalleled accuracy and creativity, making them indispensable for modern professionals.
“OpenAI’s o1-preview heralds a new era in artificial intelligence, promising not just answers but reasoned, thoughtful solutions to some of the most challenging problems faced by professionals today,” notes a recent update from Easy-Peasy AI. This sentiment is echoed by users who have experienced the transformative impact of these tools firsthand.
key Features of OpenAI’s o1-Preview
To better understand the capabilities of OpenAI’s o1-preview, here’s a breakdown of its standout features:
| Feature | Description |
|—————————|———————————————————————————|
| **Thoughtful
interview with a Veteran Advocate: Addressing Healthcare Gaps in Yampa Valley
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. Can you start by sharing your perspective on the challenges veterans face in accessing mental health and dental care in the Yampa Valley?
Guest: Absolutely. The biggest challenge is the lack of providers who accept VA benefits like the VA Community Care Program,Tricare, and TriWest. Right now,there are fewer than five mental health therapists in the area who are part of these programs. Similarly, dental providers enrolled in the VA Community Care Program are extremely limited. This leaves veterans with very few options for consistent, quality care.
Editor: That sounds incredibly frustrating. How does this lack of access impact veterans in the community?
guest: It’s devastating. Many veterans struggle with mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but without accessible therapists, they’re left to cope on their own. Dental care is another critical issue. While organizations like Pine Grove Dental Arts offer free services on Veterans Day, that’s not enough. Veterans need consistent, reliable care to maintain their overall health and well-being.
Editor: what steps do you think are necessary to address these gaps?
Guest: First, we need more local providers to enroll in the VA Community Care Program. This would significantly expand access to care. Second, we need to raise awareness about the importance of these benefits and how they can help veterans. collaboration between the VA,healthcare providers,and local communities is essential. We need to work together to ensure veterans aren’t falling through the cracks.
Editor: You’ve also been involved in the Agricultural Behavioral Health Work Group. Can you tell us more about that?
Guest: Yes, I joined the group to help shape guidance related to behavioral health care for ranchers and farmers. Many of these individuals face similar challenges to veterans, especially in rural areas where resources are scarce. By advocating for better mental health services, we can create a ripple effect that benefits not just veterans but the entire community.
Editor: What message would you like to share with healthcare providers and the community?
Guest: My message is simple: Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and sacrifice. It’s our duty to ensure they can access the care they need. If you’re a healthcare provider, consider enrolling in the VA Community Care program. if you’re a community member, advocate for better resources and support for veterans. Together, we can make a difference.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights and for your advocacy work. It’s clear that your efforts are making a meaningful impact.
guest: Thank you.It’s a team effort, and I’m grateful for the possibility to contribute. Let’s keep pushing for change so that no veteran is left behind.
Conclusion
This interview highlights the urgent need for more mental health and dental providers in the Yampa Valley who accept VA benefits. By addressing these gaps, we can ensure that veterans receive the care they deserve. Collaboration between healthcare providers, the VA, and local communities is key to making this vision a reality. Let’s honor our veterans by taking action today.
