Veterans With PTSD & Social Needs Had Nearly Three Times The Rate Of Cognitive Impairment Or Dementia Diagnoses

U.S. veterans age 55 and older with both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and documented social challenges, including housing instability, financial difficulties, and barriers to health care, had nearly three times the rate of new cognitive impairment or dementia diagnoses compared with veterans who had neither condition. The finding comes from an analysis of 3.8 million veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) between 2015 and 2024. The association was stronger among veterans younger than age 70 and those with multiple documented social needs, highlighting the potential importance of assessing mental health and social circumstances when identifying . . .