Veteran Disability Rates Up Significantly in Recent Years
Veteran disability rates are up significantly. About half of veterans (48.2%) now have a disability, up from 2008. This includes injuries suffered in service and outside of service.
Stephen Stanczak
Last updated Apr 4, 2025
This is a concerning trend from a new report released in November 2024 by the Census Bureau.
About half of U.S. veterans (48.2%) have a disability, up from 34.9% in 2008.
For those under 45 years of age, service-connected disabilities have risen significantly from 16.1% in 2008 to 39.4% in 2022.
Even more are disabled when the other category of disability based on the American Community Survey (sustained outside of service) is included. The most common disability is Tinnitus followed by knee flexion issues.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey