If you are a veteran of the United States military, there is a decent chance that you suffer from some kind of service-related disability. If you do, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Here are just seven of the most common disabilities that veterans are likely to experience as a result of their service:
- Hearing loss
- By far one of the biggest reasons for service-related disabilities, there are plenty of veterans who suffer from long-term hearing damage or hearing loss as a result of their service. The reasons for this are obvious: many veterans spend a lot of time dealing with gunshots, explosives, jet engines, and other extremely loud noises. Hearing loss can also come from less obvious sources, such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Scarification
- While scars are not often thought of as a service-related disability, they are extremely common among veterans and may rise to the level of a disability if they are severe enough. This is because scarification is not just unsightly, it can also result in persistent pain or loss of mobility, depending on the scars’ location and how extensive the scarification is. While these scars are often a direct result of injuries, they are much more commonly seen as a side effect of surgery.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- PTSD and other psychological disorders are, sadly, quite common among veterans as service-related disabilities. This is not just due to the difficult conditions veterans may experience if they go into combat, but also potentially a result of abuse suffered at the hands of their fellow soldiers. For example, female veterans are disproportionately likely to suffer PTSD as a result of being sexually assaulted during their service.
- Joint injuries
- Being a soldier can be incredibly physically demanding, and veterans often suffer joint injuries as a result. These service-related disabilities can occur for any number of reasons, from simple overexertion to painful accidents, not to mention potential harm suffered in actual combat. As a result, veterans often suffer from pain in their knees, elbows, ankles, shoulders, and other joints, as well as limitations to their mobility.
- Neck and back injuries
- It is also very common for veterans to suffer from neck and back injuries as service-related disabilities. These sorts of injuries are often the result of potentially life-threatening injuries, whether in combat or at base. People who suffer these injuries may be left with limited mobility, permanent pain, or even lose the use of their legs or arms entirely.
- Nerve damage
- Veterans often suffer from nerve damage as a result of their service, causing them extensive pain as a result. For example, many veterans suffer from sciatica, which is a type of chronic condition resulting from damage to the sciatic nerve located in the back of the leg. Not only can this be incredibly painful, it may result in paralysis and other serious health consequences.
- Migraines
- While many people suffer from migraines with or without their military service, many veterans exit the military suffering from severe migraines they did not have before. These migraines are not only painful, they can be unusually persistent, refusing to respond to conventional treatment. As a result, they can become disabling, hindering a person’s ability to work or handle daily tasks.
The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.
