 Dr. Karen DeCoker is the director of advanced practitioners at Stella Center, where she has treated a variety of advanced armed forces members for years. She tells NBC7 the findings aren't a surprise, but the proof is a welcome addition to her practice. I think maybe this is the first time we had a collection of brains to look at, but we didn't need that collection of brains to know that this is what was happening. DeCoker also says she hopes the report will help the VA to do more for veterans and active military.