Veterans and Military Health Summary Military service members and veterans face some different health issues than civilians. During combat, the main health concerns are life-threatening injuries. These include Shrapnel and gunshot wounds Lost limbs Head and brain injuries There may also be a risk of health problems from exposure to environmental hazards, such as contaminated water, chemicals, and infections. Being in combat and being separated from your family can be stressful. The stress can put service members and veterans at risk for mental health problems. These include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and substance abuse. Suicide can also be a concern. Specifics Agent Orange Department of Veterans Affairs Diseases and Conditions Department of Veterans Affairs Infectious Diseases – Diseases Related to Service in Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan Department of Veterans Affairs Medically Unexplained Symptoms Department of Veterans Affairs MedlinePlus: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus: Traumatic Brain Injury National Library of Medicine Military Exposures Department of Veterans Affairs Military Sexual Trauma Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury Viral Hepatitis Department of Veterans Affairs Videos and Tutorials Anger Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Military Personnel National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Persian Gulf Syndrome National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Veterans National Institutes of Health Find an Expert Department of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs Find a Doctor TRICARE Management Activity National Resource Directory Array Related Issues For Homeless Veterans Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services Department of Veterans Affairs Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel National Center for PTSD Rights and Responsibilities of VA Patients and Residents of Community Living Centers Department of Veterans Affairs Start Here MyHealtheVet Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Crisis Line Department of Veterans Affairs NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Preventing Suicides in the Military Journal Articles Agent orange Gulf war syndrome Veteran’s health Statistics and Research Substance Abuse in the Military National Institute on Drug Abuse Suicide in the Military: Army-NIH Funded Study Points to Risk and Protective Factors National Institute of Mental Health Vietnam Vets with PTSD More Than Twice As Likely to Have Heart Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Women Women Veterans and Mental Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Women Veterans Health Care: Frequently Asked Questions Veterans Health Administration Latest News Mindfulness Training May Ease PTSD HealthDay Agent Orange Linked to Bladder Cancer, Thyroid Problems, Panel Says HealthDay PTSD May Stiffen Veterans’ Arteries, Boosting Heart Risks HealthDay Sexual Trauma in Military May Lead to Homelessness HealthDay Predeployment Riskiest Time for Military Suicide Attempts HealthDay Pet Pooch May Help Ease PTSD in Veterans HealthDay