Military veterans have spent their lives serving their country. The unfortunate truth is that often, their service leads to them having long-term injuries or serious illnesses. This can lead to them being unable to work and get back into normal life after they finish their service. The good news is that many veterans receive VA compensation to help them heal from their injuries and get back to normal life.
Here are a few of the most common injuries and illnesses that veterans face.
While serving in the military on active duty, many veterans are put under severe physical stress. This chronic physical stress can end up causing long-term muscular injuries. According to the Journal of Pain, around 100,000 Gulf War veterans are currently suffering due to chronic muscle pain. This pain occurs in various areas, such as the neck, back, shoulders, and knees. This pain is caused by excessive long-term stress on the body.
Mental health issues are one of the most common problems that veterans face. Unfortunately, it is also an under addressed problem. Many veterans suffering from debilitating mental illnesses like PTSD never even get help for their condition. The scary truth is that untreated PTSD can often lead to suicide or violence against others. Even milder cases of PTSD can lead to the destruction of relationships, depression, substance abuse, and loss of employment.
Traumatic brain injuries are another common but invisible illness that veterans are likely to suffer from, and traumatic brain injuries are often linked to mental health issues, such as depression and PTSD. Veterans facing a traumatic brain injury or mental illness need to understand that just because their injuries are invisible doesn't mean that they are not serious. Veterans with symptoms of these issues should get in touch with their local VA office to see what their options are for treatment.
Many veterans end up harmed after being exposed to toxic chemicals while serving. Vietnam veterans may end up facing illnesses related to their exposure to Agent Orange. Gulf War veterans may find themselves suffering from health problems that are directly related to exposure to toxic nerve agents, such as sarin. Veterans that have any symptoms related to toxic chemical exposure should get medical help and contact their VA Office right away.
Because of chemical exposure and various environmental factors many veterans have a much higher risk of getting certain cancers, such as lung cancer, prostate cancer, and very rare cancers, such as mesothelioma. Although Vietnam and Korea vets have the highest risk of cancer, Gulf and Iraq war veterans could also be at high risk for various cancers.
If a veteran has served in certain high risk areas, he or she may be at risk of contracting a severe infectious diseases. Military members do get routine vaccines before serving in other countries, but unfortunately, they can still be at risk for some infections and diseases. Bacterial infections and parasites are common issues, and they can cause long-term issues, such as chronic pain and heart issues.
Parasites and bacterial infections are common issues that cause serious long-term problems, from heart issues to chronic pain, in many military veterans.
These are a few of the most common health issues that veterans are likely to be faced with. If you or a loved one is a veteran, you should make sure you're receiving the proper compensation for any injuries or illnesses that were caused by service-time. If you're unsure if you would qualify for compensation, you can use this calculator to see what type of compensation you might be eligible for.
