FY 2024 VA Benefits Report: Understanding Service-Connected Disabilities Across Eras

FY 2024 VA benefits report disabilities
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Article Summary

  • Analyzes the newly released Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report for Fiscal Year 2024
  • Highlights the most prevalent service-connected disabilities affecting veterans from
    • World War II
    • Through the Peacetime Era
  • Provides a data-driven overview of health trends across different periods of service
  • Emphasizes the enduring impact of military service on veterans’ health
  • Includes links to more detailed articles for each era
FY 2024 VA Benefits Report: Understanding Service-Connected Disabilities Across Eras

Understanding Service-Connected Disabilities: Key Insights from the FY 2024 VA Benefits Report

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) annually releases its Benefits Report, providing invaluable data on the benefits provided to our nation’s veterans. The recently released “Veterans Benefits Administration, Annual Benefits Report, Fiscal Year 2024” offers crucial insights into the prevalence of service-connected disabilities across different periods of military service, from the heroes of World War II to those who served during the Peacetime Era.

Analyzing this comprehensive report allows us to understand the lasting health consequences of military service across generations and identify key trends in the types of disabilities for which veterans are receiving compensation.

The FY 2024 VA Benefits Report: A Snapshot of Service-Connected Disabilities

The report provides a breakdown of the number of compensation recipients and the most common disabilities within each period of service. This data underscores how the nature of conflict, environmental exposures, and the passage of time continue to impact the health of our veteran population.

Most Prevalent Disabilities by Era Based on the FY 2024 Report:

World War II: The FY 2024 data reveals the following top 5 most prevalent service-connected disabilities among compensated World War II veterans:

  1. Hearing Loss (5,077 recipients, 26.4% of all WWII disabilities)
  2. Tinnitus (3,596 recipients, 18.7%)
  3. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (799 recipients, 4.2%)
  4. Residuals of Cold Injury (749 recipients, 3.9%)
  5. Scars, General (478 recipients, 2.5%)

[Continue reading our in-depth guide to World War II service-connected disabilities based on this report here.]

Korean War Veterans

Korean War: According to the FY 2024 report, the top 5 most prevalent service-connected disabilities among Korean War veterans are:

  1. Hearing Loss (35,757 recipients, 27.9% of all Korean War disabilities)
  2. Tinnitus (29,536 recipients, 23.1%)
  3. Residuals of Cold Injury (4,746 recipients, 3.7%)
  4. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (3,915 recipients, 3.1%)
  5. Scars, General (2,968 recipients, 2.3%)

[Continue reading our in-depth guide to Korean War service-connected disabilities based on this report here.]

Vietnam Era: The FY 2024 data highlights the following top 5 most prevalent service-connected disabilities among Vietnam Era veterans:

  1. Tinnitus (712,993 recipients, 11.3% of all Vietnam Era disabilities)
  2. Hearing Loss (639,483 recipients, 10.1%)
  3. Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (402,666 recipients, 6.4%)
  4. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (383,961 recipients, 6.1%)
  5. Diabetes Mellitus (349,880 recipients, 5.5%)

[Continue reading our in-depth guide to Vietnam Era service-connected disabilities based on this report here.]

Gulf War Veterans

Gulf War Era: The FY 2024 report indicates the top 5 most prevalent service-connected disabilities among Gulf War veterans are:

  • Tinnitus (2,110,209 recipients, 6.6% of all Gulf War Era disabilities)
  • Limitation of flexion, knee (1,889,161 recipients, 5.9%)
  • Lumbosacral or cervical strain (1,453,307 recipients, 4.6%)
  • Paralysis of the sciatic nerve (1,193,635 recipients, 3.7%)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (1,124,768 recipients, 3.5%)

[Continue reading our in-depth guide to Gulf War Era service-connected disabilities based on this report here.]

Peacetime Era: The FY 2024 report indicates the top 5 most prevalent service-connected disabilities among Peacetime Era veterans are:

  • Tinnitus (398,989 recipients, 12.3% of all Peacetime Era disabilities)
  • Hearing Loss (288,659 recipients, 8.9%)
  • Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve (146,221 recipients, 4.5%)
  • Limitation of Flexion, Knee (115,272 recipients, 3.5%)
  • Scars, General (94,959 recipients, 2.9%)

[Continue reading our in-depth guide to Peacetime Era service-connected disabilities based on this report here.]

Key Trends and Observations from the FY 2024 Report

The FY 2024 Annual Benefits Report reinforces several important trends:

  • The Enduring Impact of Noise: Hearing loss and tinnitus consistently rank among the top disabilities across all eras, underscoring the long-term effects of noise exposure during military service.
  • The Recognition of Mental Health: PTSD remains a significant disability for veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam Era, and continues to be a concern for more recent conflicts (though not detailed in the top 5 of the Peacetime Era in this specific report). This reflects the growing understanding and recognition of the psychological toll of military service.
  • Era-Specific Concerns: The report highlights conditions uniquely prevalent in certain eras, such as residuals of cold injury for Korean War veterans and diabetes mellitus for Vietnam veterans (strongly linked to Agent Orange exposure). Musculoskeletal issues like sciatic nerve paralysis and knee limitations are also prominent, reflecting the physical demands of military service across different periods.
  • The Importance of Data: The FY 2024 report underscores the value of comprehensive data in understanding the health needs of our veteran population and informing the development of appropriate support and resources.


Utilizing the FY 2024 Report for Your Benefits Claim

The data presented in the FY 2024 Annual Benefits Report can be a valuable tool in understanding the prevalence of certain conditions among veterans of your era. While it doesn’t guarantee service connection for your specific case, it can provide context and support the likelihood of certain conditions being related to military service. When filing a claim, remember to:

  • Provide a clear and detailed account of your service: Include your duties, locations, and any specific incidents or exposures.
  • Obtain a current medical diagnosis: Document your health condition with thorough medical evaluations.
  • Seek a medical nexus: Obtain a medical opinion linking your diagnosed condition to your military service.
  • Utilize available resources: Connect with VSOs and refer to the VA website for guidance.


Leveraging the FY 2024 Report for Veteran Support

The data from the FY 2024 report provide a comprehensive overview of the most common service-connected conditions affecting veterans from various eras. By analyzing these trends, veterans can better understand potential health concerns related to their time in uniform and be empowered to navigate the VA system effectively.

If you want to learn more about medical evidence and our role in supporting your case, contact our team of experts. Start your FREE Medical Evidence evaluation today or watch real testimonials and stories of our clients.

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Article Medically reviewed by Paige Polakow, President, Trajector Medical

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Tips for Veterans

Navigating the VA claims process can be challenging, but these tips can simplify your journey.

  • Maintain Medical Records: Keep detailed records of all treatments and symptoms.
  • Seek Medical Opinions: Ensure your doctor provides a clear link between your primary and secondary conditions.
  • Be Persistent: Many claims are approved after appeals.


Understanding and claiming VA benefits for secondary conditions can seem daunting, but you’re not alone. With proper medical evidence, support from accredited representatives, and persistence, you’re positioned to secure the benefits you deserve.

Discover how our medical evidence service is transforming lives

Clear and concise medical documentation is crucial for the success of any disability claim. If you’re unsure about your documentation, talk to one of our licensed medical experts for FREE.

And know that at the heart of everything we do at Trajector Medical are the stories of our clients. We are proud to say that we have surpassed 1,000 recorded testimonial videos on our YouTube Channel. Real people that we have helped by building supporting medical evidence that they used to pursue the disability benefits they choose.

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Related FAQs:

What steps should I take if I believe I have a service-connected disability and want tofile a VA claim?

If you believe you have a serviceconnected disability, you should seek a medical nexus that links your diagnosed condition to your military service. Trajector Medical may be able to help you. Start your FREE Medical Evidence evaluation today


Does the information in the FY 2024 VA Benefits Report guarantee my disability will beservice-connected?

No, the information in the FY 2024 VA Benefits Report does not guarantee service connection for your specific case. It provides valuable data on the prevalence of certain conditions among veterans of your era, which can offer context and support the likelihood of conditions being related to military service. However, each claim is evaluated individually based on specific evidence.


Where can I find the full FY 2024 Veterans Benefits Administration Annual Benefits Report?

You can find the full report on the official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website: https://www.benefits.va.gov/REPORTS/abr/docs/2024abr.pdf


*Trajector Medical is not an accredited attorney or agent and does not represent veterans before the VA. This article is provided as information only. For more information, see the Department of Veteran’s Affairs FAQs at https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/ or consult with a VSO or other accredited representative. For expert medical evidence development in support of your VA claims, contact Trajector Medical today.

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