The Department of Veterans Affairs has requested a significant increase in its funding because of an increase in all claims and growth in the severity of disabilities among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The severity of disabilities means higher ratings and larger benefit checks for recipients.

In addition to being more severe, veterans' disabilities have become more complex. The average disability claim lists 8.5 disabilities, double the number of disabilities claimed by veterans a generation ago. The average annual pay for disabled veterans in 2000, adjusted for inflation, was $8,927. Today, the average disability pay is $11,737.

The complexity of veterans' disability claims means more than an increase in cost. It also means that claims take longer to process. It also means that the number of disabled veterans receiving care at VA facilities has grown.

Strangely, the complexity of the injuries suffered by returning veterans reflects the improvements in protective gear and treatment of severe injuries - injuries that would have killed soldiers in past wars. The improvements save lives, but the soldiers who survive are often severely damaged with both physical and mental injuries. For example, soldiers and sailors have always suffered brain injuries in war, but in past wars they did not survive. Now they do, and the number of returning veterans with traumatic brain injury is up.

The number of amputations is also up over past wars. Kevlar vests and other protective gear protect vital organs, keeping people alive in bomb blasts and other attacks. However, Kevlar does not protect the limbs, which are often damaged beyond repair. Again, technology keeps soldiers alive but leaves them with more severe injuries.

Because of the increasing complexity of claims, veterans can benefit from having an advocate to guide them through the process. The Rep for Vets TM is a nation-wide veterans' advocacy firm dedicated to helping veterans with disability claims.

Source: AirForceTimes, "VA disability claims grow more complex, costly," by Rick Maze, Feb. 15, 2012.