Physical Health

What are some common physical health concerns of veterans? How might these concerns affect a veteran enrolled in college? Many veterans struggle with pain after they leave the military. Research suggests that two-thirds or more of student veterans experience chronic pain that interferes with their daily functioning.

Back pain, knee injuries, sciatica, and migraines, are among the most common pain issues that are reported to the VA. The effects of chronic pain include fatigue, irritability, inability to focus or concentrate, and difficulty in regulating emotions, all of which may impact the student veteran's ability to successfully engage in a classroom setting.

Chronic pain may be intensified by sitting for a long period of time or by walking to a class, both activities that are associated with attending classes. On campus health and disability support services can provide essential support for student veterans experiencing significant pain.

Unfortunately, student veterans are less likely than other students to utilize these vital support services. Providing veteran-specific training for health and disability support personnel and making sure that student veterans are aware that these services are for them just as much as any other student may help in bridging this gap.

Tinnitus and hearing loss are two of the most common physical health issues that veterans suffer. Difficulty in hearing will almost certainly make classroom learning and working with faculty and other students more challenging. Medical interventions such as hearing aids may be helpful in addressing some auditory issues.

On campus disability support services may be able to help a student veteran with an auditory issue by providing accommodations such as providing a note taker, or granting permission to record the class.

Some veterans also grapple with a wide range of mobility challenges that stem from physical health issues. Injuries to knees, ankles, or feet for example, can limit range of motion to make movement difficult and/or painful. These injuries may result in the loss of a leg resulting in the need to use crutches, a prosthetic limb, or being wheelchair bound.

For student veterans with mobility impairments, the disability support office is again a valuable resource and a partner. They can sometimes provide an accommodation that allows the student veteran to get rides from class to class or other locations on campus.

Another accommodation that is possible in some cases is to move classes to ground floors or different buildings, so that getting from class to class is not impossible. Mental health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression can have associated physical symptoms including pain, sweating, feeling sick, or trembling.

More chronic physical health issues such as difficulty sleeping can lead to physical issues such as a loss of concentration or headaches for example. It is important to recognize that the physical effects of PTSD or other mental health conditions are real and not imagined, and a comprehensive approach may include medical as well as psychological support and treatment.

Disability services or other professionals working with student veterans should explore whether these physical symptoms need to be addressed through academic or other accommodations or other on-campus support.