Contact Us
HeatherLynn Bahme
BS (Retired U.S.Army)
Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program Manager
Office: 509-828-0449
Heather.bahme@dva.wa.gov
Brianna Flott
Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program Specialist
360-536-5268
brianna.flott@dva.wa.gov
Or
Email the Brain Injury & Recovery-TBI Program at: braininjuryrecovery@dva.wa.gov
VA Medical Centers:
Puget Sound VA Healthcare System
800-329-8387
Walla Walla
888-687-8863
Vancouver
800-949-1004
Spokane
800-325-7940
Statistics
FY 2024/2025
TBI Outreach Events- 77
Learning Events- 54 with 914 individual attendance/participation
Veterans Reached-901
Family Members Reached- 76
Veterans with TBI 1:1 – 172
Brain Injury & Recovery Program Claims Submitted- 6
Brain Injury & Recovery Program Claims Currently being worked- 11
Brain Injury & Recovery Program Claims and Benefits Generated- $74,736.22
The WDVA Brain Injury & Recovery Program supports Washington veterans living with brain injury, diagnosed or not. We provide resources, guidance, and advocacy to help veterans access the care they need.
That means that we:
- Offer one-on-one support to veterans navigating brain injury.
- Connect veterans with trusted resources and referrals.
- Champion the groups and agencies making a difference for our veteran community.
- Provide training and guidance to any organization, summit, or event seeking to better support veterans living with brain injury or related symptoms.
Why we do it:
Veterans face brain injuries more often than civilians, especially the kind that go unnoticed. These injuries may not seem “serious,” so they’re often left untreated. As a result, many veterans carry invisible wounds without knowing they need care.
Common causes include blast exposure during deployments and TBIs from training or missions. Even without visible harm, these injuries can lead to lasting effects like migraines, memory loss, emotional challenges, and light sensitivity. They also increase the risk of substance use, homelessness, and suicide. Many veterans don’t realize their symptoms stem from a brain injury.
Upcoming Training & Meetings:
Forward2Gether Peer Groups: Once a month, next virtual group Tuesday January 13th, 2026
Learn more about our Monthly Peer Groups here.
Resources:
- VA - Make the Connection
- DSHS WA TBI Strategic Partnership Advisory Council
- http://comics.tbi.washington.edu/
- http://www.caregiver.va.gov/
- http://www.brainlinemilitary.org/
- http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/traumatic-brain-injury.asp
- Brain Injury Alliance of Washington State
- WDVA Behavioral Health Provider List
- https://www.concussionalliance.org/veterans/
- RehabNet
- The Hummingbird Project
