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Veterans with Disabilities

The number of veterans with disabilities has jumped by 25 percent since 2001 to 2.9 million (VA and Census Bureau).
The U.S. government expects to spend $59 billion a year to compensate wounded warriors in the next 25 years, a spike from today´s $29 billion (The Associated Press). The Veterans Affairs Department concedes the bill could be much higher.
Soldiers returning home from hostilities in Afghanistan and Iraq are experiencing more severe injuries - such as amputations and traumatic burns (The American Legion).
Advancements in today´s medical care have resulted in soldiers surviving the devastating injuries that in years past would have killed soldiers.
There are over 755,000 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. More than 181,000 are collecting disability benefits (Department Of Veterans Affairs).
Today´s veterans are more aware of benefits and are filing claims for more disabilities (The American Legion).
Vietnam veterans, approximately 947,000, make up the biggest group receiving disability compensation. Conditions, such as bad back and knees, often worsen with age and draw higher payments (Disabled American Veterans).
Injuries can range from 0-to-100 percent. Annual benefits run from $1,404 for a veteran rated at 10 percent to approximately $30,324 for those at 100 percent. Severe disabilities, such as the loss of a limb, draw additional compensation.