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Evaluation of New Content on the 2008 American Community Survey: Service-Connected Disability Status and Ratings

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Abstract

In 2008, two new questions about service-connected disability status and ratings were added to the American Community Survey (ACS). These questions are asked of all people who indicate they had previously served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard, they had trained with the Reserves or National Guard, or they were currently on active duty.

“Service-connected” means the disability was a result of disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. These disabilities are evaluated according to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities in Title 38, U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4. Ratings are graduated according to the degree of the veteran’s disability on a scale from 0 to 100 percent, in increments of 10 percent. Zero percent is a valid rating and is different than having no rating at all. According to the VA, a zero-percent rating means a disability exists and is related to the veteran’s service, however it is not so disabling that it entitles the veteran to compensation payments.

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Page Last Revised - October 8, 2021
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