It’s no secret that military service takes a serious toll on the body. But what many people don’t realize is that sometimes those long-term health problems don’t manifest until years after veterans separate.
That’s where things start to get tricky.
So if you’re dealing with health problems now that you know are linked to your time in service, getting benefits can feel nearly impossible. You need documentation. You need medical evidence linking your condition to your time in the military. And that’s where insurance claim assistance services can help.
But first…
Knowing how military service connects to long-term health issues is the first step to understanding VA benefits. That’s why this article breaks down everything you need to know for those illnesses and injuries that manifest years after you leave the military. And for veterans struggling to file a claim with no guidance, Claim Climbers helps veterans with nexus letters and specialized insurance claim assistance services.
Let’s dive in.
What you’ll find inside:
- The most common long-term health issues veterans face
- Mental health conditions: The hidden battle
- Toxic exposures veterans face during their service
- Why connecting your military service to your health issues matters
- The importance of getting help with your VA claims
The Most Common Long-Term Health Issues Veterans Face
Here’s a stat for you:
VA research revealed that within months of military separation, 53% of veterans reported experiencing chronic physical health conditions.
53%.
That’s over half of veterans suffering from long-term health problems almost immediately upon leaving the military.
But here’s what else they found…
Conditions like chronic pain, sleep difficulties and musculoskeletal injuries were the most commonly reported ailments. No joke, veterans suffer from these health conditions at drastically higher rates than their civilian counterparts.
Veterans are also diagnosed with conditions like…
- Chronic pain — Chronic musculoskeletal pain can come from overuse injuries or traumatic injuries suffered during service.
- Sleep difficulties — Sleep issues can stem from a variety of factors like mental health conditions and chronic pain.
- Musculoskeletal injuries — These injuries can range from conditions like arthritis to injuries suffered from training to falling during active duty.
- Hearing loss — Listening to things like gunfire and machines without proper protection can cause lifelong hearing loss.
- Tinnitus — Along the same lines as hearing loss, constant ringing in the ears can occur as a result of concussive noises during service.
Many of these health issues can get worse with age. So the longer you go without proper treatment, the more you’re at risk for disability as time goes on. Which is why it’s important to start building your case as early as possible when filing for Veterans benefits.
Mental Health Conditions: The Hidden Battle
But physical health isn’t the only area veterans struggle with.
Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also incredibly common.
Research from RAND shows that 1 in 5 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars experienced PTSD or major depression.
That’s roughly 22% of veterans struggling with mental health conditions.
But like with physical injuries, that number is likely much higher because many veterans do not seek help for their mental health conditions.
PTSD from seeing combat, the stress of deployment and even things like Military Sexual Trauma (MST) contribute to mental health conditions in veterans.
Common mental health conditions in veterans include…
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — Watching others get hurt or killed in combat can lead to PTSD years after military service.
- Depression — Depression can come from the stress of deployment or feeling isolated when you return from deployment.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) — Explosions and blows to the head can cause TBIs that have long-term effects.
- Substance use disorders — Some veterans turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. Substance use disorder can easily lead to depression, anxiety and paranoia.
One thing to note is that mental health conditions can occur with many of the physical health conditions listed above. Chronic pain can lead to depression. Which is why it’s important to seek help with any conditions you might be experiencing.
Toxic Exposures Veterans Face During Their Service
Some health conditions aren’t seen for years, even decades after military service.
Toxic exposures like burn pits, Agent Orange, contaminated water and more can lead to health issues that may not show up until later on in life.
Veterans can be and have been granted benefits for health conditions caused by these exposures. But the difficulty comes with proving that your illness is directly related to your service.
Even though The PACT Act of 2022 was passed to make it easier for veterans to qualify for benefits with toxic exposures, it can still be a challenge to know where to start.
The insurance claim assistance services veterans can get from companies like Claim Climbers can ease the burden of providing evidence of your exposure.
Conditions caused by toxic exposure can include…
- Cancers — Many agents and gases that burned in burn pits are carcinogenic.
- Respiratory conditions — Breathing in smoke and chemicals can cause permanent lung damage and conditions like asthma.
- Neurological conditions — Chemical exposure can have lasting effects on your brain that aren’t seen for years.
- Birth defects in children — Children born to parents who handled toxic agents like Agent Orange can experience birth defects.
- Early death — Some exposures have proven to lead to a shortened life expectancy.
Why Connecting Your Military Service to Your Health Issues Matters
If you want VA disability benefits for your condition, you need to prove that your condition is service-connected.
What does that mean?
Basically, you need to prove that your injury or illness was caused by your time in the military.
VA disability claims reached an all-time high in 2024. Over 2.5 million claims were filed.
With that many claims being filed, there’s no room for mistakes.
Make sure you have all your medical documentation in order and that you have a solid nexus letter. Insurance claim assistance services can help ensure you have everything you need to get your claim approved the first time.
The Importance of Getting Help With Your VA Claims
You shouldn’t have to fight the VA for benefits alone.
Just like in the military, there’s strength in numbers. Many veteran advocacy groups exist to help veterans get the benefits they deserve.
But when it comes to filing your VA claim for disability benefits, having someone who understands the process on your side can make all the difference.
Claim Climbers specializes in helping veterans…
- File claims correctly the first time
- Navigate the complex VA system
- Ask the right questions to get your benefits increased
- Not take no for an answer until you get what you deserve.
Don’t wait. If you’ve been having troubles navigating the VA system alone, let a professional help you out.
Bringing It All Together
Military service can and does lead to short and long-term health problems.
While some issues may arise immediately, others take years to manifest.
Whether you struggle from unexplained chronic pain, you see a doctor about mental health conditions or were exposed to toxic chemicals during service, VA disability benefits can help.
Just remember…
- Long-term health conditions in veterans are common. Especially with chronic pain, mental health conditions and musculoskeletal injuries.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it be with your mental health or filing a claim for VA benefits, seeking help is the first step to recovery.
- Help with your claim is available. If you need someone on your side to help you navigate the VA system, Claim Climbers can help.
