What problems did Vietnam veteran soldiers encounter when returning back to the US?

What problems did Vietnam veteran soldiers encounter when returning back to the US?

Some struggled to overcome physical injuries, emotional problems, or drug addictions from their time in Vietnam. Others had trouble feeling accepted by their friends and families. Some returning soldiers blamed their situation on the antiwar movement and developed a deep resentment toward antiwar protesters.

How were Vietnam veterans treated when returned from war?

Unlike the hero status given to the returning soldiers form World War II, the soldiers that served in Vietnam were portrayed as baby killers, psychos, drug addicts and war mongers. Movies and television shows began depicting returning soldiers as deranged monsters even before the war ended.

What health risk is associated with military service in Vietnam?

As a result of the first two reviews, published in 1994 and 1996, VA now recognizes eight conditions which are presumed to be related to service in Vietnam for the purposes of establishing service-connection: soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, chloracne, porphyria cutanea tarda, respiratory …

What was so bad about the Vietnam War?

More than two decades of violent conflict had inflicted a devastating toll on Vietnam’s population: After years of warfare, an estimated 2 million Vietnamese were killed, while 3 million were wounded and another 12 million became refugees.

What was the average age of American soldiers in Vietnam?

Fact: Assuming KIAs accurately represented age groups serving in Vietnam, the average age of an infantryman (MOS 11B) serving in Vietnam to be 19 years old is a myth, it is actually 22. None of the enlisted grades have an average age of less than 20. The average man who fought in World War II was 26 years of age.

What was the leading cause of death in the Vietnam War?

During the Vietnam War, 30% of wounded service members died of their wounds. 30–35% of American deaths in the war were non-combat or friendly fire deaths; the largest causes of death in the U.S. armed forces were small arms fire (31.8%), booby traps including mines and frags (27.4%), and aircraft crashes (14.7%).

What are some problems Vietnam vets still face today?

PTSD is not the only mental illness facing Vietnam veterans, as anxiety and depression are also prevalent issues. Anxiety and depression can be linked to a preexisting case of PTSD, or occur as a result of the mental and emotional effects of the war.

Are there health issues for Vietnam War veterans?

If you served during the Vietnam War, including Veterans who served on Blue Water Navy vessels or Coast Guard ships, you may be at risk of certain health conditions. Understanding these needs will allow you to receive better care.

What causes hearing problems in Vietnam War veterans?

Hearing problems caused by noise: Harmful sounds from guns, explosives, rockets, heavy weapons, jets and aircraft, and machinery that can cause or add to hearing loss and ringing in the ears Illnesses or injuries caused by job-related hazards: Chemicals, paints, radiation, and other hazards you may have come across

Why was Vietnam vets treated poorly when they returned?

Back in the States, Langenus quickly discovered the GI benefits available for Vietnam veterans “were almost nonexistent.” While living in New York, he developed symptoms of malaria—a tropical disease fairly uncommon in the concrete jungle—yet he was denied VA health care because he didn’t display those symptoms in Vietnam.

What are the biggest problems facing veterans returning?

Many veterans suffer from more than one health condition. In addition, many women and men experienced sexual trauma, including harassment and assaults, while in the military. That can have both mental and physical effects.