Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/doctors-scramble-to-handle-war-veterans-brain-injuries Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Medical experts are witnessing an increase in the number of brain injuries sustained by soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, prompting Veterans Affairs hospitals to set up special centers to handle the severe cases. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JIM LEHRER: Finally tonight, veterans coping with brain injuries they received fighting in Iraq. A version of this report aired earlier on "California Connected," a program produced by PBS stations in that state. The reporter is Lisa McRee. STAFF SGT. JAY WILKERSON, Injured War Veteran: I've heard so many great things about going to Iraq and helping the people and the government there, so I thought it was a great opportunity to do something great. LISA MCREE, NewsHour Correspondent: His name is Staff Sergeant Jay Wilkerson, and today his greatest challenge is picking up a paper clip. STAFF SGT. JAY WILKERSON: The feeling, it's slowly coming back. And there's two nerves that go through your thumb the operational therapist told me that need to attach. LISA MCREE: The same year she became an American citizen, Claudia Carreon joined the Army National Guard. SPC. CLAUDIA CARREON, Injured War Veteran: I had the opportunity to come to this country, and I wanted to say thank you to this country for opening their doors to me and my family. I don't remember how the accident happened, but somehow my knees got hurt. LISA MCREE: And while Claudia and Jay's injuries may look manageable, down the hall it's a different story. It's been six months since Frank Sandoval's brain was damaged by an explosion in Iraq.MICHELLE SANDOVAL, Wife of Injured War Veteran: He joined the military shortly after 9/11. FRANK SANDOVAL, Injured War Veteran: I miss you. MICHELLE SANDOVAL: I miss you, too, baby.He wanted to make a change. He wanted to be something important. LISA MCREE: Michelle is Frank's wife. MICHELLE SANDOVAL: We've been married going on four years. Of course, we have our beautiful daughter. Frankie's such a strong person, and him being here is one thing that I know is going to be OK, because he's making such a big improvement.