Operation Iraqi Freedom
Analysis of VA Health Care Utilization -- Report 7
VHA Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards, July 22, 2004
Summary

Among 168,528 veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom who have separated
from active military duty, 16% (27,571) have sought health care from the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since deployment.

For another gauge of VA health care utilization, 7,916 Iraqi Freedom veterans
had one or more VA healthcare visits in April 2004, which represents an
average workload during that one month period of approximately 50 veterans
treated in each of 158 VA hospitals.

57% of Iraqi Freedom veterans who received VA health care have been
members of the Reserve/National Guard.

Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom have presented to the VA with a wide
range of both medical and psychological conditions, which have
encompassed over 3,800 discrete diagnoses.

The most common health problems of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom
have been musculoskeletal ailments, principally joint and back disorders, and
dental problems.

The frequency of the diverse types of diagnoses received by these 27,571
veterans has not changed substantially since the last update of this report on
May 19, 2004.

Although health care utilization data does not represent a formal
epidemiological study, no particular health problem stands out among Iraqi
Freedom veterans at present. Consequently, recommendations cannot be
provided for particular testing or evaluation; these war veterans should be
assessed individually to identify all outstanding health problems.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) will continue to monitor the health
status of recent Iraqi war veterans using updated deployment lists provided
by DoD to ensure that VA tailors its health care and disability programs to
meet the needs of this newest generation of war veterans.
1
Lists of Recent War Veterans
VHA’s Environmental Epidemiology Service (EES-135) has been working with
DoD to obtain a complete roster of recent combat veterans. To date, the DoD
Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) has created a preliminary file of the
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) troops
using Active Duty and Reserve Pay files, and Combat Zone Tax Exclusion and
Imminent Danger Pay data fields. On September 22, 2003, DoD sent EES the
first partial list of Iraqi war veterans who had “separated” from active duty but not
the complete roster of deployed troops.
The eighth, most recent, update of these deployment lists was provided to EES
on June 23, 2004. For the purposes of this analysis, all these lists were merged
by EES to form a single roster of separated veterans who had participated in
Operation Iraqi Freedom (Figure 1). EES has noted certain discrepancies in the
data both within and between these deployment lists, which could affect some
analyses of clinical care. DMDC plans to address these data discrepancies in
future roster preparations.
The combined database provides basic military and demographic data on
168,528 unique service members who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom since
October 1, 2003, and have been separated from active military service: 50,705
active duty and 117,823 Reserve or National Guard unit members (Tables 1 and
2). The DoD file did not include actual date of separation for everyone but the
last out-of-theater date was March 2004, for active duty personnel and March
2004, for members of the Reserve/National Guard.
VA Health Care Utilization
Among all 168,528 separated Iraqi Freedom veterans, 27,571 (16.4%) had
sought health care at a VA medical facility during fiscal years 2003 and 2004
(Table 3). Of those, 489 (0.3%) had been hospitalized at least once. Fifty-seven
percent of veterans who received VA health care have been members of the
Reserve/National Guard (Table 4). VISN 8 in Florida (VA Sunshine Healthcare
Network) has seen the highest percentage (10.3%) of Iraqi Freedom veterans
(Table 5).
The percentage of separated Iraqi Freedom veterans who had sought VA health
care has continued to increase since the last report, which was based on the
roster received on April 16, 2004, from 15% (21,021 of 139,778 separated
veterans) to 16% (27,571 of 168,528 separated veterans). This increase reflects
continued enrollment of Iraqi Freedom veterans for VA health care, which is
available free of charge for two years following separation from active military
service for any health problem possibly related to deployment.
As another gauge of VA health care utilization, in April 2004, 7,916 unique Iraqi
Freedom veterans had one or more VA healthcare visits, which represents an
2
average workload of approximately 50 veterans treated in each of 158 VA
hospitals during that one month, or less than 2 veterans per day. For
comparison, more than 4.5 million individuals received care in VA healthcare
facilities in 2002. And VA's outpatient clinics registered approximately 46.5
million visits. The 27,571 Iraqi Freedom veterans who have received VA health
care in FY 2003/2004 therefore represents 0.6% of the total number of military
veterans VA provided care for in 2002.
Most Common Diagnoses Among Iraqi Freedom Veterans
Of note, evaluated Iraqi Freedom veterans are not representative of deployed
military personnel in general but are more typical of young, active, healthcareseeking populations. The following summary of diagnoses therefore does not
represent an epidemiological study of all veterans recently deployed to
Southwest Asia but does provide important clinical information about VA health
care utilization of Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.
Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom are presenting to the VA with a wide range
of both medical and psychological conditions. A total of 3,890 discrete, ICD-9
coded diagnoses were needed to characterized this predominantly outpatient
population seeking health care following deployment. No particular diagnosis
stood out as unusual among this broad range of health problems (Tables 6-21).
The frequency of the types of diagnoses received by these 27,571 Iraqi Freedom
veterans has not changed substantially since the previous analysis of 21,021
Iraqi Freedom veterans who had received VA health care. The most common,
broad diagnostic categories are similar to those observed in the last report of
May 19, 2004 (Table 6). Also, the most common specific diagnosis within broad
ICD-9 categories changed little since the last report (Tables 7-21).
Among the 27,571 Iraqi Freedom veterans evaluated by the VA, the most
frequent diagnoses involved the musculoskeletal system (Table 6). There were
8,134 veterans who received this diagnosis (ICD 710-739), which is very
common in young, active, military populations. Within this diagnostic category,
joint and back disorders were most often found (Table 19). The second most
frequent category of diagnoses involved the Digestive System (ICD 520-579),
with teeth and gum problems predominating (Tables 6 and 16).
In this population of veterans who served in a war zone and sought VA health
care, 5,375 veterans were diagnosed with a mental health problem (Table 6).
Within this group, PTSD was diagnosed among 1,641 Iraqi Freedom veterans
(Table 12). It is critical to keep in mind that these statistics for mental health
problems are preliminary and will change over time. Some troops may not have
had an underlying mental health problem diagnosed at an initial clinical
evaluation, and veterans may not develop mental health problems for months to
years following wartime trauma.
3
Figure 1
Separated Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring
Freedom (OEF) Veterans as of June 23, 2004
Prepared by VHA EES (135)
List 8 Active Duty File: N=61,602 records;
date received, June 23, 2004
List 8 Reserve Files: N=128,435
records; date received, June 23, 2004
Combined List of
190,037 records
134,316 unique
veterans
List 1 & 2 -Sep 22, 2003
Nov 21, 2003
List 3 & 4 -Dec 22, 2003
Feb 12, 2004
List 7 -May 18, 2004
Total Separated
Iraqi Freedom
Veterans
N=168,528
List 5 & 6 -Mar 22, 2004
Apr 16, 2004
Mortality
Iii in-theater:
716 Veterans
Combined Lists 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7 & 8
194,686 unique veterans
Note: 10.1%
of Veterans
(19,722) Served
in both
Operations
Total Separated
Enduring Freedom
Veterans
N=45,880
4
Combined Deployment Lists, Health Care Utilization, and Diagnostic Tables
Table 1
Distribution of Separated Personnel Identified on the DoD Lists1 of
Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Participants
By Operation and Component Type
Service Component Type
Military Operation
Active Duty 2
Reserve/Guard 3
Total 4
Enduring Freedom
Male
Female
Unknown Gender
4,614
4,129
309
176
41,266
37,272
3,992
2
45,880
41,401
4,301
178
Iraqi Freedom
Male
Female
Unknown Gender
50,705
45,177
5,121
407
117,823
105,393
12,418
12
168,528
150,570
17,539
419
Total Veterans 5
Male
Female
Unknown
53,200
47,450
5,309
441
141,486
126,527
14,946
13
194,686
173,977
20,255
454
1
2
3
4
5
DMDC approved lists received September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003, December 22, 2003,
February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and June 23, 2004 were
combined to generate a composite list of unique veterans.
Active duty group includes last out-of-country dates through March 2004.
Reserve/Guard group includes last out-of-country dates through March 2004.
This table excludes 716 veterans on the composite list who died in-theater.
19,722 veterans served in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom;
therefore, the columns will not total correctly.
5
Table 2
Demographic and Military Characteristics of Separated Personnel Who
Served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Operation
Enduring Freedom
(n=45,880)
Characteristics
Iraqi Freedom
(n=168,528)
#
%
#
%
Sex
Male
Female
Unknown
41,401
4,301
178
90.2
9.4
0.4
150,570
17,539
419
89.3
10.4
0.3
Race/ethnicity
White
Black
Hispanic
Others
Unknown
35,387
5,367
2,352
2,066
708
77.1
11.7
5.1
4.5
1.5
118,978
23,366
9,261
8,489
8,434
70.6
13.8
5.5
5.0
5.0
Age Group
< 20 years
20-29
30-39
≥40
Unknown
23
12,946
15,447
17,161
303
0.1
28.2
33.7
37.4
0.7
1,062
85,228
43,363
37,958
917
0.6
50.6
25.7
22.5
0.5
Branch
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine
Navy
25,142
18,459
36
361
1,882
54.8
40.2
0.1
0.8
4.1
42,395
74,989
682
23,988
26,474
25.2
44.5
0.4
14.2
15.7
Unit Type
Active Duty
Reserve/Guard
4,614
41,266
10.1
89.9
50,705
117,823
30.1
69.9
Rank
Enlisted
Officer
37,872
8,008
82.5
17.5
146,615
21,913
87.0
13.0
Combined data received through June 23, 2004, provided to VA by DMDC. Troops who died in
country are excluded from these data.
6
Table 3
FY 2003-2004 VA Hospitalizations and Outpatient Visits
As of June 28, 2004, for 168,528 Iraqi Freedom Veterans Identified
On the Combined DoD Deployment List
Iraqi Freedom Veterans
(n = 168,528)
Treatment Category
Frequency
%
Ever evaluated by VA during FY 2003/04
Yes
No
27,571
140,957
16.4 1
83.6
Inpatient Stays Only:
Hospitalized at Least Once at a
VAMC during FY 2003/04
Yes
No
489
168,039
0.3 1
99.7
409
60
20
83.6 2
12.3
4.1
27,556
140,972
16.4 1
83.6
9,143
16,153
2,260
33.2 3
58.6
8.2
Number of Times Hospitalized at a
VAMC during FY 2003/04
1
2
3+
(Mean Number of Hospitalizations at
VA during FY 2003/04 = 1.2)
Outpatient Visits Only:
Seen as an Outpatient at VA
at Least Once during FY 2003/04
Yes
No
Number of Days Seen as an Outpatient
during FY 2003/04
1
2-10
11+
(Mean Number of Visits to VA for
Outpatient Treatment during FY 2003/04 = 4.3)
______________________________________________________________
1 Percent
based on total number of eligible veterans (168,528)
based on total number of hospitalized veterans (489)
3 Percent based on total number of veterans with one or more outpatient visits (27,556)
2 Percent
7
Table 4
Demographic and Military Characteristics of Separated Personnel Who
Served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Received VA Healthcare in
FY 2003-2004
Iraqi Freedom Veterans
Evaluated at a VA Facility
(n=27,571)
Characteristics
#
%
Sex
Male
Female
Unknown
23,864
3,704
3
86.6
13.4
0.0
Race/ethnicity
White
Black
Hispanic
Others
Unknown
17,570
4,782
2,278
1,487
1,454
63.7
17.3
8.3
5.4
5.3
Age Group
< 20 years
20-29
30-39
≥40
Unknown
117
14,429
6,194
6,812
19
0.4
52.3
22.5
24.7
0.1
Branch
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine
Navy
3,794
15,854
24
4,162
3,737
13.8
57.5
0.1
15.1
13.6
Unit Type
Active Duty
Reserve/Guard
11,809
15,762
42.8
57.2
Rank
Enlisted
Officer
25,293
2,278
91.7
8.3
8
Table 5
Frequency Distribution of Iraqi Freedom Veterans According to
the VISN Providing the Treatment
Iraqi Freedom Veterans
Treated at a VA Facility
Treatment Site
VISN 1
VISN 2
VISN 3
VISN 4
VISN 5
VISN 6
VISN 7
VISN 8
VISN 9
VISN 10
VISN 11
VISN 12
VISN 15
VISN 16
VISN 17
VISN 18
VISN 19
VISN 20
VISN 21
VISN 22
VISN 23
VA New England Healthcare System
VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York
VA New York/New Jersey Healthcare System
VA Stars & Stripes Healthcare System
VA Capital Health Care System
VA Mid-Atlantic Healthcare System
VA Atlanta Network
VA Sunshine Healthcare Network
VA Mid-South Healthcare Network
VA Healthcare System of Ohio
Veterans in Partnership Healthcare Network
VA great Lakes Health Care System
VA Heartland Network
South Central VA Health Care Network
VA Heart of Texas Health Care Network
VA Southwest Healthcare Network
VA Rocky Mountain Network
VA Northwest Network
VA Sierra Pacific Network
VA Desert pacific Healthcare Network
VA Midwest Health Care Network
Frequency1
%2
1,231
855
1,254
1,345
587
950
1,620
2,844
1,805
609
856
2,287
811
2,176
1,358
1,530
1,003
1,089
1,006
2,701
981
4.5
3.1
4.5
4.9
2.1
3.4
5.9
10.3
6.5
2.2
3.1
8.3
2.9
7.9
4.9
5.5
3.6
3.9
3.6
9.8
3.6
1
Veterans can be treated in multiple VISNs. A veteran was counted only once in any single
VISN but can be counted in multiple VISN categories.
2 The total number of OIF veterans who received treatment (n=27,571) was used to calculate
the percentage treated in any one VISN.
9
Table 6
Diagnoses by Broad ICD-9 Categories for the 27,571 Iraqi Freedom
Veterans Evaluated at a VA Healthcare Facility During FY 2003-20041
Iraqi Freedom Veterans
(n = 27,571)
Diagnosis
(ICD-9 Categories)
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
(001-139)
Frequency 2
%
1,888
6.9
Malignant Neoplasms (140-208)
153
0.6
Benign Neoplasms (210-239)
473
1.7
2,666
9.7
275
1.0
Mental Disorders (290-319)
5,375
19.5
Diseases of Nervous System/
Sense Organs (320-389)
5,311
19.3
Diseases of Circulatory System
(390-459)
2,635
9.6
Disease of Respiratory System
(460-519)
3,505
12.7
Disease of Digestive System
(520-579)
6,788
24.6
Diseases of Genitourinary System
(580-629)
1,674
6.1
Diseases of Skin (680-709)
2,520
9.1
Diseases of Musculoskeletal System
Connective System (710-739)
8,134
29.5
Symptoms, Signs and Ill Defined
Conditions (780-799)
5,674
20.6
Injury/Poisonings (800-999)
3,195
11.6
Diseases of Endocrine/Nutritional/
Metabolic Systems (240-279)
Diseases of Blood and Blood
Forming Organs (280-289)
1
2
Hospitalizations and outpatient visits as of 6/28/04.
Veterans can have multiple diagnoses with each healthcare encounter. However, a
veteran is counted only once in any single Diagnostic Category but can be counted in
multiple categories.
10
Table 7
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
(ICD-9 001-139)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Dermatophytosis (110)
620
Other Diseases due to Viruses and Chlamydiae (078)
331
Herpes Simplex (054)
200
Dermatomycosis (111)
132
Viral Infections, in Conditions Classified Elsewhere
& Unspecified (079)
Other Venereal Diseases (099)
118
104
Viral Hepatitis (070)
83
Candidiasis (112)
69
Bacterial Infection Condition Classified Elsewhere
And of Unspecified Sites (041)
Streptococcal Sore Throat (034)
42
39
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and June
23, 2004.
11
Table 8
Malignant Neoplasms
(ICD-9 140-209)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans1
Non-melanoma Skin Cancer (173)
33
Cancer of the Prostate (185)
18
Cancer of the Testis (186)
16
Hodgkin’s Disease (201)
8
Other Malignant Neoplasms of Lymphoid Tissue (202)
8
Cancer of the Trachea, Bronchus, and Lung (162)
7
Malignant Melanoma (172)
7
Malignant Neoplasm of Other and Ill-Defined Sites (195)
6
Malignant Neoplasm Without Specification of Site (199)
6
Malignant Neoplasm of Major Salivary Glands (142)
5
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
12
Table 9
Benign Neoplasms
(ICD-9 210-239)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Benign Neoplasm of Skin (216)
Number of Veterans 1
136
Lipoma (214)
95
Benign Neoplasm of Digestive System NEC (211)
64
Neoplasm of Uncertain Behavior of Unspec.
Sites/Tissues (238)
50
Uterine Leiomyoma (218)
40
Neoplasm of Unspecified Nature (239)
30
Other Benign Neoplasms of Connective and Other Soft
Tissue (215)
26
Hemangioma and Lymphangioma (228)
16
Benign Neoplasm of Lip, Oral Cavity, and Pharynx (210)
12
Benign Neoplasm of Male Genital Organs (222)
9
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
13
Table 10
Diseases of Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic
Systems
(ICD-9 240-279)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Disorders of Lipid Metabolism (272)
1,703
Obesity (278)
754
Diabetes Mellitus (250)
187
Acquired Hypothyroidism (244)
158
Gout (274)
75
Disorders of Fluid, Electrolyte and Acid-base Balance (276)
69
Thyrotoxicosis with or without Goiter (242)
24
Testicular Dysfunction (257)
23
Disorders of Mineral Metabolism (275)
23
Ovarian Dysfunction (256)
19
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
14
Table 11
Diseases of Blood and Blood Forming Organs
(ICD-9 280-289)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Other Unspecified Anemias (285)
Number of Veterans 1
116
Iron Deficiency Anemia (280)
43
Diseases of the White Blood Cells (288)
40
Hereditary Hemolytic Anemias (282)
32
Other Diseases of Blood & Blood Forming Organs (289)
27
Purpose and Other Hemorrhagic Conditions (287)
16
Other Deficiency Anemias (281)
13
Coagulation Defects (286)
13
Aplastic Anemia (284)
3
Acquired Hemolytic Anemias (283)
1
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
15
Table 12
Mental Disorders
(ICD-9 290-319)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3-Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Adjustment Reaction (309)2
2,279
Nondependent Abuse of Drugs (305)
1,867
Depressive Disorders (311)
1,537
Neurotic Disorders (300)
1,240
Affective Psychoses (296)
800
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (303)
292
Sexual Deviations and Disorders (302)
211
Acute Reaction to Stress (308)
169
Special Symptoms, Not Elsewhere Classified (307)
165
Personality Disorders (301)
116
1
Data from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and June
23, 2004. It is critical to keep in mind that these statistics for mental health problems are
preliminary and will change over time. Some troops may not have had an underlying mental
health problem diagnosed at an initial clinical evaluation, and veterans may not develop mental
health problems for months to years following wartime trauma.
2
This category currently includes 1,641 veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD (ICD-9CM 309.81).
16
Table 13
Diseases of the Nervous System and Sense Organs
(ICD-9 320-389)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3-Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans1
Deafness (389)
2,173
Other Disorders of Ear (388)
1,493
Disorders of Refraction and Accommodation (367)
903
Migraine (346)
397
Disorders of External Ear (380)
306
Mononeuritis of Upper Limb & Multiplex (354)
264
Disorders of Conjunctiva (372)
262
Visual Disturburbances (368)
217
Suppurative & Unspecified Otitis Media (382)
168
Mononeuritis of Lower Limb and Mononeuritis Multiplex (355)
156
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
17
Table 14
Diseases of the Circulatory System
(ICD-9 390-459)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3-Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Essential Hypertension (401)
Number of Veterans1
1,738
Cardiac Dysrhythmias (427)
277
Hemorrhoids (455)
268
Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease (414)
87
Diseases of Capillaries (448)
73
Ill-defined Heart Diseases (429)
72
Other Diseases of the Endocardium (424)
58
Varicose Veins of Other Sites (456)
52
Varicose Veins of Lower Extremities (454)
36
Angina Pectoris (413)
32
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
18
Table 15
Diseases of the Respiratory System
(ICD-9 460-519)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3-Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Allergic Rhinitis (477)
Number of Veterans 1
1,051
Acute Upper Respiratory Infections (465)
634
Asthma (493)
461
Chronic Sinusitis (473)
443
Acute Pharyngitis (462)
405
Acute Sinusitis (461)
256
Acute Bronchitis (466)
232
Chronic Pharyngitis and/or Nasopharyngitis (472)
193
Bronchitis (NOS) (490)
162
Chronic Airways Obstruction NEC (496)
126
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
19
Table 16
Diseases of the Digestive System
(ICD-9 520-579)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Diseases of Teeth & Supporting Structure NEC (525)
4,603
Gingival and Periodontal Diseases (523)
2,870
Diseases of Hard Tissues of Teeth (521)
2,201
Diseases of Esophagus (530)
1,159
Diseases of Pulp and Periapical Tissues (522)
355
Diseases of Tooth Development and Eruption (520)
339
Dentofacial Anomalies (524)
286
Functional Digestive Disorders (564)
272
Other Non-infective gastroenteritis (558)
153
Disorders of Function of Stomach (536)
151
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
20
Table 17
Diseases of Genitourinary System
(ICD-9 580-629)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Other Disorders of Urethra (599)
364
Inflammatory Diseases of Cervix, Vagina, and Vulva (616)
177
Disorders of Menstruation (626)
175
Disorders of Penis (607)
159
Calculus of Kidney and Ureter (592)
136
Other Disorders of Male Genital Organs (608)
112
Pain and Other Symptoms of Female Genital Organs (625)
109
Other Disorders of the Breast (611)
90
Urethis, Not Sexually Transmitted, and Urethral
Syndrome (597)
Noninflammatory Disorders of Cervix (622)
87
82
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
21
Table 18
Diseases of the Skin
(ICD-9 680-709)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Contact Dermatitis and Other Eczema (692)
734
Diseases of Sebaceous Glands (706)
515
Other Skin Disorders (709)
313
Diseases of Hair and Hair Follicles (704)
276
Cellulitis (682)
228
Hypertrophic and Atrophic Skin Conditions (701)
118
Psoriasis (696)
109
Other Dermatoses (702)
99
Disease of Nail (703)
96
Uticaria (708)
91
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
22
Table 19
Diseases of Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue
(ICD-9 710-739)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3 Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans 1
Unspecified Joint Disorder (719)
3,658
Unspecified Back Disorder (724)
3,140
Osteoarthrosis (715)
1,012
Peripheral Enthesopathies (726)
860
Other Disorders of Soft Tissues (729)
815
Other Disorders of Cervical Region (723)
593
Other and Unspecified Arthopathies (716)
437
Internal Derangement of Knee (717)
433
Intervertebral Disc Disorders (722)
432
Disorders of Muscle, Ligament, and Fascia (728)
411
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
23
Table 20
Symptoms, Signs and Ill-Defined Conditions
(ICD-9 780-799)1
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3-Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans2
General Symptoms (780)
1,304
Symptoms Involving Respiratory System (786)
1,049
Symptoms Involving Head and Neck (784)
901
Symptoms Involving Skin (782)
885
Symptoms Involving Digestive System (787)
539
Symptoms Involving Abdomen and Pelvis (789)
538
Non-specific Abnormal Histological and
Immunologic Findings (795)
377
Non-specific Abnormal Results of Function Studies (794)
364
Symptoms Involving Cardiovascular System (785)
312
Other Nonspecific Abnormal Findings (796)
301
1
The diagnostic category, “Symptoms, Signs and Ill-Defined Conditions,” includes symptoms,
signs, illnesses, and abnormal laboratory results or other investigative abnormalities, which
care not coded elsewhere in the ICD-9-CM. It is important to note that the “Symptoms,
Signs, and Ill-Defined Conditions” category is not a diagnosis of an unusual or mystery
illness. This diagnostic classification encompasses more than 160 sub-categories and
primarily consists of common symptoms or isolated laboratory abnormalities.
2
Data from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
24
Table 21
Injury and Poisonings
(ICD-9 800-999)
Iraqi Freedom Veterans Evaluated at VA Facilities
Ranked By the Frequency of 3-Digit ICD Diagnostic Codes
For the 10 Most Frequent Codes for that Category
Disease Category (ICD code)
Number of Veterans1
Unspecified Injury (959)
504
Sprains and Strains of Ankle and Foot (845)
275
Sprains and Strains of Ill-Defined Nature (848)
261
Sprains and Strains of Shoulder and Upper Arm (840)
214
Sprains and Strains of Parts of Back NEC (847)
221
Certain Adverse Effects from External Causes NEC (995)
206
Sprains and Strains of the Knee and Leg (844)
182
Dislocation of Knee (836)
148
Sprains and Strains of Wrist and Hand (842)
131
Contusion of Lower Limb and Other Unspec. Sites (924)
121
1Data
from the combined separation files from September 22, 2003, November 21, 2003,
December 22, 2003, February 12, 2004, March 22, 2004, April 16, 2004, May 18, 2004 and
June 23, 2004.
Re-Published September 9, 2004
Traprock Peace Center
http://www.traprockpeace.org
25