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New veterans filing for disability at historic rate

Posted at 10:32 PM, May 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-28 00:25:23-04

(WTVR) - According to a new study from the Associated Press, America's newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a rapid rate.

Government leaders say veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan claim to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.

The report says 45 percent of them are asking for compensation for injuries that are service-related, which is more than double of those who filed after the Gulf War in the early 90's. The Associated Press says it's not sure how much worse off these new veterans are from those who fought in previous wars.

Government officials and some veterans say it's because of the weak economy and more awareness of psychological problems, like Post-traumatic stress disorder.