In a powerful step forward for military brain health, a research team led by Dr. James Stone at the University of Virginia School of Medicine has received a $3.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance a game-changing tool: the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV).
This data-driven system is poised to revolutionize how we understand, measure, and ultimately protect service members from the invisible injuries caused by repeated blast exposure in both training and combat.
Every day, military personnel are exposed to explosive forces—sometimes in direct combat, but more often during training scenarios like breaching exercises or heavy weapons use. These low-level, repeated blast exposures might not cause immediate harm but can build up over time, leading to long-term changes in brain function.
Enter the GBEV tool: a scientific method to assign a numerical score to a service member’s history of blast exposure.
He joins the podcast to discuss how the tool informs policy, medical care, and public health strategy.
This score acts as a measurable indicator of neurological risk, providing vital information that can help guide:
- Health monitoring
- Medical intervention
- Safety protocols
- Policy decisions
“This will represent a major step forward in how the military monitors, protects and cares for its service members,” said Dr. Stone, a UVA Health radiologist who has spent nearly two decades studying the cumulative effects of blast exposure.
Backed by Data—and Decades of Dedication
The new funding will allow the team to integrate data from over 16,000 individual service member assessments across ten past studies. This diverse and robust dataset spans branches and roles, giving researchers a clearer picture of how different levels and types of exposure impact the brain.
Much of this work builds on the Blast Exposure Threshold Survey (BETS)—a longstanding diagnostic tool—and ongoing collaborations with Capt. Stephen Ahlers (ret.), PhD, at the Naval Medical Research Command. Dr. Stone and Dr. Ahlers have worked together for over 18 years to push forward the science of military brain health.
Their mission: link real-world exposure histories to long-term neurological outcomes.
Who Benefits From the GBEV Tool?
Ultimately, this initiative isn’t just about data—it’s about people:
- Warfighters and veterans, who deserve care tailored to their unique risks
- Military leaders, who need tools to make smarter safety decisions
- Doctors and public health officials, who benefit from clearer guidelines for diagnosis and treatment
By refining the GBEV tool, the team hopes to bridge the gap between battlefield exposures and brain health outcomes, improving everything from operational safety to veteran care.
The project is not just research—it’s a policy-shaping, care-informing tool with direct relevance to the DoD and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical systems.
“We aim to enhance support for the warfighter, operational units, and public health communities alike,” said Dr. Ahlers. “This tool could fundamentally change how we understand, prevent, and treat blast-related brain injuries.”
Project Outlook and Goals
The $3.2 million grant is more than just a research boost—it’s a signal that the military is taking invisible injuries seriously. With the GBEV tool, we may finally have a scalable, scientific way to measure and manage the hidden toll of modern warfare.
As research deepens and the GBEV system evolves, one thing is clear: protecting those who serve starts with protecting their brains.
