Veterans of the United States Armed Forces face unique and complex health challenges—ranging from physical injuries sustained in combat to long-term psychological trauma. Yet in many civilian healthcare settings, these distinct needs are overlooked, leading to missed diagnoses, improper treatment, and in some cases, preventable harm. As the veteran population grows and more rely on non-military healthcare, these oversights are emerging as a serious patient safety concern.
Civilian Healthcare Providers Are Often Unprepared to Treat Veterans
Most veterans do not receive care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In fact, fewer than half of the approximately 19 million veterans in the U.S. are enrolled in the VHA system. That leaves millions relying on civilian providers—many of whom have received little to no training in identifying and managing service-related conditions.
Common service-related injuries and health concerns include:
- Musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain
- Toxic exposures (e.g., burn pits, chemical agents)
- Hearing and vision loss
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations and burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorders
Too often, providers fail to ask whether a patient has served in the military—missing a crucial piece of diagnostic information that could change the course of treatment.
Medical Training Still Falls Short
Despite growing awareness, most U.S. medical schools do not adequately prepare students to treat veterans. A prior study found that only about one-third included curriculum content on military cultural competence. That gap leaves providers unprepared to recognize the physical and emotional toll of military service—and puts veterans at risk for substandard care.
Without understanding the specific context of a veteran’s history, civilian providers may misinterpret symptoms, overlook service-related illnesses, or delay critical interventions.
Medical Malpractice and Veterans’ Rights
When a healthcare provider’s lack of training or failure to take a proper history results in harm, veterans and their families may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Examples of negligence in veteran care may include:
- Failure to diagnose service-connected injuries or illnesses
- Improper medication management or contraindications
- Inadequate treatment of mental health conditions
- Delays in testing or specialist referrals
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, we believe veterans deserve more than respect—they deserve competent, informed care. When the healthcare system fails them, we are here to hold providers accountable.
If you or someone you love is a veteran who was harmed due to medical negligence, call (212) 943-1090 or contact us online for a free consultation with our experienced New York medical malpractice attorneys.
Picture by Sonia Sevilla for Wikipedia