Disabilities Related to the Musculoskeletal System: Physical Evaluation Board Data

摘要

This paper reports on disability rates, case distributions, and costs of disabilities for the Army, Navy/Marines, and Air Force. Between 1983 and 1994, Army disability cases increased 88%, to 15/1,000 personnel/year. Between 1985 and 1994, Navy disability cases increased 113% to 32/1,000 personnel/year. Between 1990 and 1994, Air Force disability cases increased 80% to 9/1,000 personnel/year. Musculoskeletal conditions were the leading cause of disability for all 3 services (Army FY94, 53.1%; Navy/Marines FY95, 63%; Air Force FY94, 22%). Mental disorders were the second leading cause of disability (Army FY94, 14.2%; Navy/Marines FY95, 10%; Air Force FY94, 21%). Most cases received separation with severance pay, a onetime cost to the services. The costliest disabilities were permanent disabilities, which in the Army account for only 15% of the disability cases in 1993, but have a projected lifetime cost of $407.4 million. These payments represent only 10% of the funds paid to disabled service members annually, as most are compensated through the VA system. VA disability costs are approximately $ 1 billion per month. Leading causes of disability in the VA system are musculoskeletal conditions (45%) and mental disorders (14%).