Veterans Health A to Z

Find a comprehensive index of veterans health and medical conditions related to military service history. Common veterans health topics are covered from A to Z.

Medical care for these issues or symptoms related to them is never one-size-fits-all, but those who learn about the conditions find comfort in knowing what to expect, options for treatment, living with a condition temporarily or permanently, etc.

Veteran Health Issues And The Department Of Veterans’ Affairs

There are two general types of health care issues veterans take with them from a military career to civilian life; there are medical conditions that exist independently of military service and those that are deemed to have been the result of military service.

Naturally the equation is not as simple as that; some pre-existing conditions may be aggravated by military service and some conditions may go undetected. Whether those undetected conditions were caused or aggravated by military service is something which must be determined.

Different Procedures, Different Applications: Transitioning From Military Health Care To The VA Health Care System

Health, wellness, and personal readiness are the emphasis for much of what is defined as military health care. A similar thought process informs the VA health care system, but the emphasis on mission readiness is replaced by a focus on getting required care, improving quality of life when care is needed, and helping caregivers cope with the challenges of assisting loved ones who must deal with medical issues.

When being screened in a military hospital, currently serving military members will wonder whether or not their medical needs will result in an involuntary medical separation, medical retirement, etc.

While having a medical issue reviewed by the VA, the concerns are more about getting the right kind of diagnosis, care, and whether or not there is VA compensation or financial assistance available for those needs.

Your Medical Needs And The Department Of Veterans Affairs

There are many, many medical issues servicemembers may develop as a result of or in conjunction with military service. Some of those issues are obvious-combat injuries, accidents, occupational stress and repetitive motion issues, etc.

Others aren’t so obvious; asthma issues, allergic reactions to compounds or chemicals in the workplace, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injuries, back problems, and a whole host of medical concerns that may not be as easy to associate with work or service.

These issues require closer attention but may still result in a VA determination that the veteran is eligible for compensation or care through the VA system. Some medical issues are not as easily detected; there are those that are asymptomatic for a period of time or whose symptoms are mild at first only to get progressively worse over time.

That is why it’s a very good idea to review a list of potential medical issues associated with life in uniform-to make certain that what you are experiencing is not because of a deeper medical issue that needs attention. Think of the lists of these conditions (see below) as a sort of checklist to rule out certain issues, but identify others as possible areas of concern to discuss with the VA.

Find out more about health issues that may be caused or aggravated by military service. What follows should not be taken as medical advice, but general information related to a specific condition. If you experience any symptoms mentioned in these pages, consult a medical professional as soon as possible.