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Number Of Disabled Veterans Rising

By Associated Press

Increasing numbers of disabled U.S. troops will cost the
U.S. tens of billions of dollars over coming decades. Number Of Disabled Veterans Rising

Published: Mon, May 12, 2008 - 4:46 am Last Updated: Mon, May 12, 2008 - 4:51 am

WASHINGTON (AP) - Increasing numbers of U.S. troops have left
the military with damaged bodies and minds that will cost the
nation tens of billions of dollars over coming decades.
According to internal documents obtained by The Associated
Press, the government expects to spend 59 billion dollars a year to
compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today's 29
billion. And that's despite the decline in total vets as soldiers
from World War II and Korea die. And the Veterans Affairs
Department concedes the bill could be much higher.
Among the reasons: the wounds are worse, there are more of them
and more vets are aware of the benefits and are quicker to file for
them.
And because of advanced medical care, troops survive injuries
that might have killed them in earlier wars.
Annual benefits are more than $30,000 for those at 100-percent
disability. Disabilities such as the loss of a limb draw additional
compensation.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)