Another Cost of War
Too often, we tend to think of the cost of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in terms of dollars, at this point, the billions of dollars. One of the highest costs, however, has been the damage done to the US personnel killed or disabled in the wars. In documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (!), the numbers and details of this kind of cost are suggested, as pointed out in an article in today's NY Times:
The number of veterans granted disability compensation, more than 100,000 to date, suggests that taxpayers have only begun to pay the long-term financial cost of the two conflicts. About 567,000 of the 1.5 million American troops who have served so far have been discharged.
“The trend is ominous,” said Paul Sullivan, director of programs for Veterans for America, an advocacy group, and a former V.A. analyst.
Mr. Sullivan said that if the current proportions held up over time, 400,000 returning service members could eventually apply for disability benefits when they retired.
A separate V.A. health care report shows that the most common treatments sought by recently discharged troops are for musculoskeletal disorders like back pain, followed by mental disorders, notably post traumatic stress disorder. About 30,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have sought treatment for post traumatic stress, which afflicts soldiers who have been under fire or in prolonged danger of attack. [Emphasis added]
Keep in mind that these figures are dealing with the 567,000 soldiers who have been discharged. There are still at least another 1.5 million soldiers still actively serving who have had tours in Iraq and have been rotated out. Also keep in mind that these figures deal only with those veterans who have sought disability benefits and/or treatment, and who have received them. Unfortunately, many of those seeking the disability benefits have been denied, and many returning soldiers at this point haven't sought treatment through the VA. That means that the costs will mount as the years roll on.
Iraq is beginning to look even more like Viet Nam.
The number of veterans granted disability compensation, more than 100,000 to date, suggests that taxpayers have only begun to pay the long-term financial cost of the two conflicts. About 567,000 of the 1.5 million American troops who have served so far have been discharged.
“The trend is ominous,” said Paul Sullivan, director of programs for Veterans for America, an advocacy group, and a former V.A. analyst.
Mr. Sullivan said that if the current proportions held up over time, 400,000 returning service members could eventually apply for disability benefits when they retired.
A separate V.A. health care report shows that the most common treatments sought by recently discharged troops are for musculoskeletal disorders like back pain, followed by mental disorders, notably post traumatic stress disorder. About 30,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have sought treatment for post traumatic stress, which afflicts soldiers who have been under fire or in prolonged danger of attack. [Emphasis added]
Keep in mind that these figures are dealing with the 567,000 soldiers who have been discharged. There are still at least another 1.5 million soldiers still actively serving who have had tours in Iraq and have been rotated out. Also keep in mind that these figures deal only with those veterans who have sought disability benefits and/or treatment, and who have received them. Unfortunately, many of those seeking the disability benefits have been denied, and many returning soldiers at this point haven't sought treatment through the VA. That means that the costs will mount as the years roll on.
Iraq is beginning to look even more like Viet Nam.
posted by Diane at 4:05 AM
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