Nearly 20% of Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans Are Partially Disabled

October 23, 2006 Nearly 20% of Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans Are Partially Disabled Nearly one in five soldiers leaving the military after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan has been at least partially disabled as a result of service. About 400,000 returning service members could eventually apply for disability benefits following retirement. However, disparities exist between branches of service such that 37% of active duty veterans have filed for disability compensation compared with 20% of those who served with National Guard or Reserve units. Disability claim denials are also uneven: 18% of claims filed by Guard and Reserve soldiers are . . .