. >> reporter: in this awful >> in this awful moment, james sperry's life changed. in flaug, iraqi, shrapnel tore into his head and chest. the 20-year-old marine nearly died. he is still fighting, some time constant migraines and dizzy spells. he has the iraq war signature wound-- traumatic brain injury. >> i lose vision in my left eye. my dizziness is coming on right now, and if you see my eyes, they do this. they shake. >> reporter: sunglasses ease his light sensitivity but not his chronic pain. he has trouble thinking, talking, remembering. >> i go to bed, i wake up the next day, and then i wouldn't remember the day before. >> reporter: so you tried to get help? >> i went to the doctors, and i spent 30 days in a mental hospital because i just couldn't take it. i was breaking down. >> reporter: but no one answered his pleas for cognitive brain rehabilitation, therapy to help injured brains function. >> my role as the chief medical officer is to make sure that our service members are getting the best care that they can get. >> reporter: warren lockette is in charge