The number of veterans has grown to 19 million as of October 2020. Hispanics comprise 8.2% of the Veteran population. Veteran Population Projections for 2015 to 2045 by the National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics project a nearly 150 million person population by 2045. Among the states with the most veterans, California, Florida, and Texas top the list. In 2018, there were more than 1.4 million Hispanic Veterans living in the U.S. As of 2019, Texas has the highest concentration of Hispanic veterans.
The Veterans Affairs (VA) 2017 Minority Veterans Report found that disabled Black Veterans are in the majority group of Veterans that received VA health care at 77.4%, followed by disabled Hispanic Veterans at 71.5%. These Veterans account for 5% of Veterans who use VA health benefits and use them more frequently than the average Veteran population.
The following ten service-related disabilities are the most common among minority veterans in 2014: tinnitus, post-traumatic stress disorder, cervical strain, defective hearing, shortness of breath, diabetes, degenerative arthritis of the spine, limited ankle mobility, paralysis of the sciatic nerve, scarring, and others. Hispanics have a higher rate of diabetes, spine, and eye disorders. Despite receiving high-quality care through the VA, Hispanic Veterans with diabetes still struggle to control their disease.
Qualified veterans have access to VA health care. A range of services is covered, including physical and mental health, surgeries, home health, and prescriptions. Get started by clicking here, and prepare to spend about 30 minutes completing the application. For any problems with the online application, you can call 800-698-2411, TTY: 711. The line is open 24 hours a day.
Assistance with filing is available from Veterans Service Organizations. Veterans may obtain filing assistance from organizations listed in the VA’s online directory. Don’t delay your health care and find out now if you are eligible.
If you are a veteran experiencing a crisis or considering harming yourself call 800-273-8244 select 1 or dial 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room or VA Medical Center. A VA medical center will not discriminate based on your discharge status.