Disabilities Related to the Musculoskeletal System: Physical Evaluation Board Data

This paper reports on disability rates, case distributions, and costs of disabilities for the Army, NavyMarines, and Air Force. Between 1983 and 1994, Army disability cases increased 88, to 151,000 personnelyear. Between 1985 and 1994, Navy disability cases increased 113 to 321,000 personnelyear. Between 1990 and 1994, Air Force disability cases increased 80 to 91,000 personnelyear. Musculoskeletal conditions were the leading cause of disability for all 3 services Army FY94, 53.1 NavyMarines FY95, 63 Air Force FY94, 22. Mental disorders were the second leading cause of disability Army FY94, 14.2 NavyMarines 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.