Learn More
See, Play and Learn
Research
Resources
For You
Summary
Military service members and veterans have made sacrifices to our country, and they face different health issues than civilians. During their service, they are at risk for various injuries. These injuries can happen during combat, while others involve physical stress to the body. Sometimes the injuries are life-threatening or serious enough to cause disability. Others may not be as serious, but can be painful and affect daily life. Specific types of injuries include
- Shrapnel and gunshot wounds
- Lost limbs
- Head and brain injuries
- Tinnitus and hearing loss, typically from exposure to noise
- Sprains and strains
- Limited range of motion, especially in ankles and knees
There may also be a risk of health problems from exposure to environmental hazards, such as contaminated water, chemicals, infections, and burn pits.
Being in combat and being separated from your family can be stressful. The stress can put service members and veterans at risk for mental health problems. These include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse. Suicide can also be a concern.
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Suicide Prevention: 1-800-273-8255 (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Related Issues
- Compensation: How to Apply (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors: 2017 Online Edition (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- For Homeless Veterans (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Health Benefits: Easy Ways to Apply for Enrollment (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel (National Center for PTSD) - PDF
- Rights and Responsibilities of VA Patients and Residents of Community Living Centers (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Specifics
-
About Military Sexual Trauma
(Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Agent Orange (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Burn Pits (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Diseases and Conditions (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Infectious Diseases - Diseases Related to Service in Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Medically Unexplained Symptoms (Department of Veterans Affairs) - PDF
- Mental Health Concerns: Veterans & Active Duty (NAMI) - PDF
- Military Exposures (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs) - PDF
- Military Sexual Trauma (Department of Veterans Affairs)
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Suicide (Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury) - PDF
- Suicide Awareness (Department of Defense)
-
Traumatic Brain Injury: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Viral Hepatitis (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Health Check Tools
- Alcohol Use Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Depression Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Substance Abuse Screening (Department of Veterans Affairs)
Videos and Tutorials
- Anger (Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury)
-
PTSD: National Center for PTSD
(Department of Veterans Affairs)
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: Indications of Physical Overexertion.
- Article: An epidemiological survey of HBV infection and low-level HBsAg in...
- Article: Hydration Strategies for the Female Tactical Athlete.
- Veterans and Military Health -- see more articles
- -- see more articles
- -- see more articles
- Agent orange -- see more articles
- Gulf war syndrome -- see more articles
Find an Expert
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Find a Doctor (TRICARE Management Activity)
Women
- Center for Women Veterans
- Sexual Trauma: Women Veterans Health Care (Department of Veterans Affairs)
- Women Veterans and Mental Health (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
- Women Veterans Health Care: Frequently Asked Questions (Veterans Health Administration)