Contractor Conundrum: Unraveling The Va Benefits Mystery For Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans

Contractors from Iraq and Afghanistan are not explicitly mentioned in relation to VA benefits. However, it is known that private military and security contractors are often military veterans, and therefore may be eligible for VA benefits.

Civilian contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan face dangerous working conditions and are frequently exposed to harmful substances, which can lead to short-term or permanent health issues. These health issues include respiratory conditions, skin disorders, chemical exposure illnesses, and mental health disorders. It is important to recognize these conditions and seek appropriate care and support.

Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND) may be eligible for VA disability benefits. These benefits include priority healthcare enrollment, service-connected disability compensation, PTSD support, TBI treatment, chemical exposure treatment, specialized rehabilitation programs, education benefits, employment services, home loan guarantees, and insurance.

Additionally, the VA offers resources and support specifically for Iraq War veterans, including free healthcare for any condition related to their service for five years after discharge.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD changes the body's response to stress and affects the stress hormones and chemicals that carry information between nerves (neurotransmitters). It is not known why traumatic events cause PTSD in some people and not others.

A 2015 study by the National Center for PTSD found that guerrilla tactics such as suicide attacks and roadside bombs may trigger more post-traumatic stress than conventional warfare. Men, who made up about half of the study group, were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD if they served during the insurgency phase, which saw more guerrilla-style tactics, compared to those who served in other phases of the Iraq War.

A 2014 study by the San Francisco VA Medical Center found that veterans who sought and received mental health care soon after returning from deployment had lower levels of PTSD upon follow-up a year later. For each year that a veteran waited to initiate treatment, there was about a 5% increase in the odds of their PTSD either not improving or worsening.

A 2015 study led by researchers at the Durham VA Medical Center found that non-suicidal self-injury (purposely hurting oneself without conscious suicidal intent) is relatively common among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Of the 151 veterans studied, 14% reported a history of such injuries.

A 2015 study of 738 veterans by the National Center for PTSD found that men were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with PTSD if they had served during the insurgency phase of the Iraq War, which saw more guerrilla-style tactics, compared to other phases of the conflict.

A meta-analysis of 33 studies published between 2007 and 2013 found that, on average, 23% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD. However, the true prevalence of PTSD among military personnel is difficult to determine due to recall bias and other methodological differences between studies.

A 2014 study by King's College London found that personnel deployed to Iraq had higher rates of probable PTSD (12.9%) compared to those deployed to Afghanistan (7.1%). The same study also found that personnel serving in the army or marines had higher rates of probable PTSD (12.4%) compared to other service branches (4.9%).

A 2013 study by RAND found that 25% of contractors who worked in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other conflict zones met the criteria for PTSD, compared to an estimated rate of 4-20% among military personnel deployed to these regions. The study also found that UK contractors reported better preparation, lower levels of combat exposure, and better living conditions than US contractors.

PTSD is a valid diagnosis that affects many veterans and civilian contractors who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The causes and risk factors for PTSD are complex and not fully understood, but it is clear that this disorder takes a heavy toll on those who have served in these conflict zones.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits and support to veterans suffering from TBI. Here are some key points about TBI and the available VA benefits:

• Symptoms of TBI: Immediately after the incident, common symptoms include dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, and "seeing stars." Later symptoms may include persistent headaches, neck pain, sensitivity to light or noise, blurred vision, tiredness, depression, anxiety, slowness in thinking and speaking, and problems with concentration and memory.
• Diagnosis and Severity: TBIs are diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe based on medical testing and the severity of symptoms. Mild TBIs, also known as concussions, usually resolve within six months, while more acute TBIs can have long-lasting or permanent effects. The severity of a TBI is assessed through medical imaging scans, the length of loss of consciousness, memory loss, and the level of responsiveness after the injury.
• VA Benefits: The VA provides disability compensation and specialized support for veterans with TBI. This includes priority health care enrollment, service-connected disability compensation, access to counseling and treatment programs for mental health conditions, specialized rehabilitation services, education benefits, employment assistance, home loan guarantees, and insurance policies.
• Rating and Compensation: The VA evaluates and rates TBI based on the residual symptoms and level of impairment in various areas of functioning, such as memory, attention, judgment, social interaction, motor activity, visual-spatial orientation, and communication. The ratings range from 0% (mild symptoms) to 100% (most severe), with corresponding monthly compensation amounts.
• Secondary Conditions: TBI can lead to secondary conditions that may qualify for additional benefits, including Parkinson's disease, seizures, dementia, depression, and hormone deficiency.
• Treatment and Rehabilitation: The VA offers a range of treatment options, including rehabilitation services, cognitive and physical therapy, mental health counseling, assistive devices, medical procedures, and surgery. The VA's Polytrauma/TBI System of Care provides specialized rehabilitation programs and services at VA medical centers across the country.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

In a study of two battalions of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan, it was found that 45% of surveyed soldiers sustained musculoskeletal injuries. The low back, knee, and shoulder were the most commonly injured body regions, with lifting and carrying, dismounted patrolling, and physical training being the most frequent causes of injury. The study also identified several risk factors, including older age, higher enlisted rank, female sex, longer deployments, time spent standing, longer strength training sessions, and heavier loads. These injuries resulted in a significant number of limited duty days, highlighting the impact on military units' combat power.

Another study focusing specifically on female soldiers deployed to Afghanistan found that 36% of participants suffered musculoskeletal injuries, with the knee and low back being the most commonly affected areas. Physical training and trips/falls were attributed as the main causes of these injuries, which led to limitations in physical training and occupational tasks.

The nature of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan has also contributed to an increase in severe musculoskeletal injuries. Explosive mechanisms, such as improvised explosive devices, are now the primary cause of combat injuries, with fractures being the most common type of musculoskeletal injury. Traumatic amputations and spinal injuries are also prevalent, with nearly 40% of personnel killed in combat sustaining spinal trauma.

The high incidence and impact of musculoskeletal injuries among soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan underscore the need for further research and the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Hearing loss can sometimes be prevented with the use of hearing protective devices (HPDs). However, in many cases, service members refuse to wear earplugs for fear of dulling their senses and missing sounds that could mean the difference between life and death.

Veterans with hearing loss and tinnitus can qualify for VA disability benefits. During the fiscal year 2020, over 1.3 million veterans received disability compensation for hearing loss, and over 2.3 million received benefits for tinnitus.

Respiratory Conditions

Military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are at an increased risk of developing respiratory illnesses compared with non-deployed troops. A study involving more than 768,000 veterans found that 6% of veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan and received VA care between 2002 and 2011 met the criteria for one or more chronic pulmonary conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema. Another 10.5% met the criteria for chronic wheezing or coughing.

The findings suggest that exposure to unique environmental conditions in these regions, such as burning trash in open-air "burn pits", sandstorms, and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), may be contributing factors to the increased risk of respiratory illnesses among veterans.

Risk Factors

• Burn Pits: Open-air burn pits were commonly used to dispose of waste at military sites in Iraq and Afghanistan. The burning of trash, including plastic water bottles, styrofoam trays, medical waste, and electronics, releases toxic chemicals and particulate matter into the air.
• Sandstorms: Regular exposure to intense sandstorms, known as "Haboob", can result in inhalation of dust and sand particles, which may contain high levels of metals and other pollutants.
• Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): The use of IEDs and vehicle-borne explosives by insurgents can aerosolize metals and create shockwaves, leading to potential lung injury.
• Indoor and Outdoor Aeroallergens: The presence of date palm trees in southern Iraq and indoor allergens such as Aspergillus can trigger asthma and allergic rhinitis, leading to cough and other respiratory symptoms.
• High Altitude: Deployment to high-altitude locations, such as Kandahar, Afghanistan, can also contribute to respiratory issues.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan often report respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. Spirometry, a test that measures lung function, is recommended for those experiencing these symptoms. In some cases, surgical lung biopsy may be necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment and Management

While there is currently no cure for respiratory conditions such as constrictive bronchiolitis, early diagnosis and treatment can help improve long-term outcomes. Medications and pulmonary rehabilitation can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

VA Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a range of benefits and support services for veterans suffering from respiratory conditions:

• Priority Health Care Enrollment: Expedited and priority enrollment in VA health care programs, with cost-free care for conditions related to their military service.
• Service-Connected Disability Compensation: Monthly payments for injuries or illnesses that occurred or were aggravated during active duty, including respiratory conditions.
• Specialized Rehabilitation Programs: Tailored programs for physical and mental recovery, including speech therapy and vocational rehabilitation.
• Education Benefits: Enhanced access to education and training opportunities under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and other educational programs.

Frequently asked questions