Female Military Veterans, Domestic Violence, and Traumatic Brain Injury

Female military veterans represent a population with unique medical vulnerabilities—particularly when it comes to the intersection of domestic violence, trauma exposure, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Evidence shows that women who have served in the U.S. military are 1.6 times more likely to experience domestic violence across their lifetime compared to non-veteran women.

This elevated risk spans active duty, the transition to civilian life, and the years that follow.

Yet despite growing awareness of veteran mental health needs, the neurological injuries associated with domestic violence often remain undetected, untreated, or misattributed to other service-related conditions.

Female veterans frequently face trauma on two fronts:

1. Military-Related Trauma

• Combat stress

• Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

• Blast exposures

• Acceleration–deceleration events during military operations

• High rates of mild to moderate TBI

2. Domestic Violence–Related Trauma

• Blunt force trauma to the head

• Shaking or violent impact injuries

• Strangulation and hypoxia

• Repetitive, cumulative injuries over time

These experiences are not isolated—many veterans experience both forms of trauma, creating a compound risk for neurological and psychological injury.

Domestic violence is one of the leading but most underrecognized causes of TBI in women. Among female military veterans, this risk is amplified.

Common mechanisms include:

• Blows to the head

Punching, kicking, or being struck with objects can cause:

• Concussions

• Brain contusions

• Intracranial bleeding

• Repeated sub-concussive trauma

Frequent episodes can produce cumulative damage to white matter tracts, similar to patterns seen in repetitive blast exposure.

• Strangulation and hypoxic injury

Even brief oxygen deprivation can affect:

• Memory

• Emotion regulation

• Executive function

• Mood stability
  
  

These injuries often occur without external signs, leading to delayed recognition.

Many female veterans present with cognitive or emotional symptoms that are automatically attributed to PTSD, anxiety, or prior deployment experiences. Symptoms can include:

• Persistent headaches

• Concentration problems

• Memory impairment

• Slowed thinking

• Irritability or emotional dysregulation

• Sleep disturbances

• Dizziness or imbalance

• Sensitivity to light or noise

These symptoms may actually reflect undiagnosed TBI from domestic violence—or a combination of both trauma sources.

This misattribution is clinically significant because TBI requires different evaluation and treatment pathways than PTSD or depression alone.

A trauma-informed neurological assessment is essential for female veterans because:

• Many have overlapping injury mechanisms (blast + assault + hypoxia).

• TBI-related symptoms can persist for years if unrecognized.

• Misdiagnosis may delay access to survivor-specific care.

• Repetitive head trauma increases long-term risks, including cognitive decline.

The clinical picture can influence disability evaluations, rehabilitation planning, and medical documentation.

Comprehensive evaluation should include:

• Detailed trauma history (military + interpersonal)

• Neurological examination

• Cognitive and functional assessments

• Screening for hypoxic injury from strangulation

• Review of medical records and symptom timeline

Identifying the true etiology of symptoms is essential to providing appropriate treatment and long-term support.

Female military veterans deserve care that recognizes the full scope of their experiences—both inside and outside the military. Effective support includes:

• Survivor-specific TBI evaluation

• Integrated mental health and cognitive rehabilitation

• Awareness of the neurological consequences of domestic violence

• Coordination with veteran services and community resources

• Long-term monitoring for cognitive and emotional needs

Understanding the connection between domestic violence and TBI in this population is critical for protecting their health, safety, and functional recovery.

If you’re seeking collaboration on a legal case and require the support of a Medical Expert Witness, please share your contact information in the form below. I will reach out to you promptly to discuss how I can assist your case with specialized neurological expertise.

📩 For inquiries or consultations:

doctor.claudia@gmail.com or info@drclaudiamunoz.com

Dr. Claudia Muñoz, MD, MPH

Neurologist | Medical Expert Witness