Dennis A Fried1, Drew Helmer2, William E Halperin3, Marian Passannante3, Bart K Holland3. 1. Department of Epidemiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, Room F506 Newark, NJ 07101. 2. War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, VA-New Jersey Healthcare System East Orange, New Jersey 85 Tremont Avenue, Mail Stop 129, 11th Floor, East Orange, NJ 07018. 3. Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 185 South Orange Avenue, MSB, Room F506, Newark, NJ 07101.
Abstract
UNLABELLED: The general consensus in studies of individuals seeking federal disability compensation is that individuals "denied" disability compensation are healthier than those "awarded." In contrast, studies of military veterans seeking U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation suggest that those "denied" ("denied applicants") may be as impaired as those "awarded" ("awarded applicants"), and likely have critical, albeit unmet health care needs. Moreover, although social isolation among U.S. Veterans has received some attention, its broad influence on health and health care consumption among veterans "denied" VA disability compensation is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: To provide a more thorough understanding of "denied" applicants' health, health care utilization, and social conditions. METHODS: We reviewed published reports of health, health care utilization, and social isolation "relevant" to U.S. Veterans "denied" VA disability compensation. Among 122 research items initially reviewed, a total of 47 met our inclusion criteria and are summarized herein. RESULTS: Compared to veterans "awarded" VA disability compensation, those "denied" have poorer health, use less VA health care, and may experience social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans "denied" VA disability compensation may comprise a vulnerable subgroup of veterans in need of supportive services. Such needs may be addressed through evidence-based targeted outreach programs. Reprint &
UNLABELLED: The general consensus in studies of individuals seeking federal disability compensation is that individuals "denied" disability compensation are healthier than those "awarded." In contrast, studies of military veterans seeking U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation suggest that those "denied" ("denied applicants") may be as impaired as those "awarded" ("awarded applicants"), and likely have critical, albeit unmet health care needs. Moreover, although social isolation among U.S. Veterans has received some attention, its broad influence on health and health care consumption among veterans "denied" VA disability compensation is not well understood. OBJECTIVES: To provide a more thorough understanding of "denied" applicants' health, health care utilization, and social conditions. METHODS: We reviewed published reports of health, health care utilization, and social isolation "relevant" to U.S. Veterans "denied" VA disability compensation. Among 122 research items initially reviewed, a total of 47 met our inclusion criteria and are summarized herein. RESULTS: Compared to veterans "awarded" VA disability compensation, those "denied" have poorer health, use less VA health care, and may experience social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans "denied" VA disability compensation may comprise a vulnerable subgroup of veterans in need of supportive services. Such needs may be addressed through evidence-based targeted outreach programs. Reprint &