Vets + disability claims + historic numbers

= huge impact

The Associated Press reported on Sunday that veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are applying for disability benefits at historic rates.

“A staggering 45 percent of the 1.6 million veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now seeking compensation for injuries they say are service-related. That is more than double the estimate of 21 percent who filed such claims after the Gulf War in the early 1990s, top government officials told The Associated Press.”

What’s more, they are claiming an average of 8-9 ailments per person as opposed to 4-5 from the Vietnam War.

Why are the numbers so high? Some think it is attributed to the lousy economy. The returning vets are having a more difficult time finding jobs. Another reason may be the fact that more veterans are surviving due to better medical care but they are returning home with more severe injuries. And society is more aware of post traumatic stress disorder and the effects of concussions.

Whatever the reasons this is going to have an immense effect on our society, including how to help them get to their medical appts and jobs. Veterans transportation is a hot topic these days so you will be hearing and seeing much more on this topic in the future.

Jan