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Summary
Military service members and veterans have made sacrifices to our country, and they may face lots of different health issues. Some of the most common health problems they may have include chronic pain, sleep disorders, and mental health disorders.
But they may also face some different health risks than civilians. Serving to protect our country is a special job, and along with it comes some special risks and job hazards. These include different types of injuries and health problems from exposures.
What types of injuries do service members face?
During their service, members are at risk for various injuries. These injuries can happen during training or while in combat. Sometimes the injuries are life-threatening or serious enough to cause disability. Others may not be as serious, but they may be painful and can affect daily life.
Some of the specific types of injuries that service members may face include:
- Sprains and strains, especially in the ankles and knees. These injuries are often caused by exercise and running.
- Back and shoulder injuries, often from lifting and carrying.
- Tinnitus and hearing loss, typically from exposure to noise.
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Shrapnel and gunshot wounds.
- Lost limbs.
What other special health problems do service members face?
There may also be a risk of health problems from exposure to environmental hazards, such as contaminated water, chemicals, infections, and burn pits. Sometimes the health problems caused by exposures don't develop until years later.
Some service members experience military sexual trauma (MST). This includes sexual assault and sexual harassment.
What mental health issues do service members and veterans face?
Being in combat and being separated from your family can be stressful. So can readjusting to civilian life after the military. All of this stress can put service members and veterans at risk for mental health problems, including:
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Alcohol and drug use disorders
There is also a risk of suicide. Veterans who are in crisis can get help from the Veteran's Crisis line by:
- Calling 988 and then pressing 1
- Texting to 838255
- Chatting with them online
What health care services are available to service members and veterans?
There are health care services especially for service members and veterans through:
- TRICARE, which is the Department of Defense's health care program. It has insurance plans and other services for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families around the world.
- The Veterans Health Administration, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It provides medical and social support services to eligible veterans.
- The VA 's expanded health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
To better understand and treat the health needs of veterans in the future, the VA created the Million Veteran Program (MVP). This research program is looking at how genes, lifestyle, military experiences, and exposures affect health and wellness in veterans.
Prevention and Risk Factors
- National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Suicide Prevention (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Related Issues
- Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors: 2023 PDF (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- How to File a VA Disability Claim (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- PACT Act and Your VA benefits (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Rights and Responsibilities of VA Patients and Residents of Community Living Centers (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit (Department of Veterans Affairs) - Service Dog Veterinary Health Benefit for Veterans
- VA Homeless Programs (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Veterans Crisis Line (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Your VA Primary Care Provider and PACT Team (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Specifics
- Agent Orange (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Diseases and Conditions (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Infectious Diseases -- Diseases Related to Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan Service (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Medically Unexplained Symptoms (Department of Veterans Affairs) - PDF
- Mental Health Concerns: Veterans and Active Duty (NAMI)
- Military Exposures (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Traumatic Brain Injury: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Health Check Tools
- Alcohol Use Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Depression Screening: Questionnaire (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Substance Abuse Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Videos and Tutorials
- Make the Connection: Videos and Info for Military Veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Sleep (Defense Health Agency)
- Videos - PTSD: National Center for PTSD (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Statistics and Research
- Million Veteran Program (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Substance Use and Military Life (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Military Personnel (National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Persian Gulf Syndrome (National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Veterans (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Effect of chiropractic care on low back pain for active-duty military...
- Article: Unbearable suffering: mental health consequences of the October 2023 Israeli military...
- Article: Energy Deficit and Factors Associated with Energy Balance during a Combat...
- Veterans and Military Health -- see more articles
Find an Expert
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Find a Doctor (Defense Health Agency)
- Psychological Health Center of Excellence (Defense Health Agency)
Women
- Abuse, Trauma, and Mental Health (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
- Center for Women Veterans
- Women Veterans Health Care: Frequently Asked Questions (Veterans Health Administration)
- Women Veterans Health Care: Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs)