Nearly 16 million veterans were living in the United States in 2023, and of those veterans, almost 5 million have a service related disability rating as determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Besides living with disabilities, veterans often have other physical and mental issues related to their service to our country that require specialized healthcare.
However, due to the complexity of the VA system and other factors, many veterans do not receive the specialized healthcare that they need. It’s important to understand why veterans need specialized healthcare so that more is done to ensure that those needs are met.
Common Service-Related Health Conditions
Several categories of health conditions are common for veterans.
Mental Health Issues
According to a survey, more than 40% of veterans may have a need for mental health care. Common mental health disorders in veterans include post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidality. Veterans often have experiences that are unimaginable to those who have not served, and the trauma from those experiences leaves scars that can’t be seen on the surface.
Getting mental health care is a challenge for anyone because the system is overloaded, but specialized mental health care for veterans can be even harder to access. The VA provides mental health services and resources, but many veterans find it too difficult to navigate the VA eligibility process.
Brain Injuries
The CDC defines a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as "a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury." Nearly 414,000 veterans were diagnosed with a TBI between 2000 and 2019, and although most are considered mild cases, a TBI has lasting effects. Veterans need health care providers who understand TBIs and their impact on physical and mental functioning.
Musculoskeletal Conditions
Musculoskeletal disorders include joint, back, and neck disorders, osteoarthritis, and fractures. They are one of the most prevalent disorders diagnosed in veterans, and many of the disorders are chronic and need ongoing care. Treating musculoskeletal disorders is costly, which is an issue for veterans living in poverty who are not accessing VA services. These disorders are often debilitating due to chronic pain, which can be a barrier to employment for those who do not receive specialized treatment.
Chemical or Noise Exposure
Chemical exposure is common in military service and can lead to various types of cancer and other serious illnesses that require the care of specialists. The PACT Act (Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxic Exposure Act), passed in 2022, expanding benefits and care for those exposed. However, these veterans need medical providers who understand the risks of chemical exposure and who will provide regular screening for certain illnesses in order to detect them early.
Noise exposure is also an issue for those in military service and can lead to irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which require ongoing monitoring and care.
Other Physical Disabilities
Veterans also suffer many other disabilities from traumatic injuries, sometimes leading to loss of limbs, or paralysis. These veterans often need lifelong care to complete daily activities as well as specialized health care.
Gaps in Health Care for Veterans
It’s an unfortunate fact that many veterans don’t have access to quality, specialized health care services. Nearly half of veterans are not receiving services from the VA, due to difficulty navigating the system, lack of knowledge about available benefits, long wait times for appointments, and lack of close access to VA facilities. Many also report negative experiences with VA health providers and poor quality of care.
Additionally, when veterans seek medical care in the private sector, they may have difficulty finding providers who understand their specialized care needs.
Solutions to the Veterans Health Care Gap
While the VA has enacted several programs to try to better meet the healthcare needs of veterans and expand eligibility, they have limited resources, and with recent funding cuts, may struggle even more. Because of this, community organizations try to fill the gap by providing services and connecting veterans to the medical and mental health services they need. The problem often lies in a lack of knowledge by veterans about what services are available, both through VA programs and non-profit organizations.
Better outreach is necessary to raise awareness about resources that can help veterans, and more support from the public is needed for government programs that will expand access to care and benefits. Everyone can play a part by advocating for programs that benefit veterans and supporting organizations that focus on services for veterans.
Private healthcare and mental health care providers can also contribute by becoming more educated about the specialized needs of veterans so that they can provide better care.
In Closing
Health Service Alliance provides care and resources to meet the needs of veterans. We are grateful for the service of veterans and have the utmost respect for those who have served. If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran, reach out to us today to learn more. We are here to serve veterans, as they have served us.
