It is estimated that there are approximately five million veterans who suffer from some kind of service-related disability, based on Department of Labor data. However, there is a substantial amount of variation in terms of what disabilities these veterans suffer, including both physical and psychological disabilities. Here are seven types of service-related disabilities that are commonly seen in military veterans who apply for VA disability benefits:
- Hearing issues
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- One of the most common issues that veterans face is problems with their hearing. This can include partial or total hearing loss, as well as tinnitus, which is a persistent ringing in the ears.
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- PTSD
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- Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD for short, is a psychological disorder caused by exposure to life-threatening situations. Veterans may suffer from this due to being in combat, from witnessing someone else being injured, or from being the victim of sexual assault or other forms of violence.
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- Neck and spine injuries
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- Many veterans suffer from injuries to the neck or spine as a service-related disability, which can lead to chronic pain and loss of mobility. In more extreme circumstances, it can even result in permanent paralysis in one or more limbs.
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- Scarification
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- Most types of major service-related injuries can leave behind significant scars or other forms of disfigurement. Not only can this be damaging to a person’s physical appearance, but severe scarification can also limit mobility and result in other health problems.
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- Joint damage
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- When veterans suffer damage to their joints, such as their shoulders or knees, it can be both painful and restrictive. They may struggle to handle tasks they previously could, or may require assistance moving around that they did not previously need.
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- Nerve damage
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- Veterans who suffer from nerve damage can experience a number of negative side effects, most often chronic pain or numbness. One of the most common types of nerve damage seen in veterans is sciatica, which is pain or numbness that radiates down the sciatic nerve from the hip to the leg.
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- Chronic migraines
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- Many veterans suffer from chronic migraines as a service-related disability, which can be severe enough to prevent them from being able to work or perform chores. This can be a symptom of certain psychological issues, insomnia, or it may even be the result of a traumatic brain injury.
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.
