Why We Serve
There are approximately 31,000 U.S. disabled Veterans who live outside of the United States. The vast majority have a segmented version of health care through the VA. Many of these Veterans are classified by the VA as 50% or more disabled. If they resided in the U.S., they could be entitled to non-service connected disability health care from the VA at no cost; but because they live overseas they do not have access to the same version of care.
A veteran deserves the same quality of care no matter where they reside. Veterans living abroad continue to pay U.S. taxes, many
The majority of Americans who decide to live abroad are Veterans. Many have spent a considerable part of their military service abroad; some speak two or more languages and have grown accustomed to life overseas, particularly in the developing world. They become accustomed to these places because of their service to the United States, and the cost of living overseas, including health care, is substantially less than the U.S.
A Veterans Administration program called the “ Foreign Medical
Branches of Veterans
Gender

- Army 41%
- Navy 23%
- Marine Corps 13%
- Air force 21%
- Coast Gaurd 2%


Age Range of Veterans
%
18 - 40
%
41 - 60
%
61 & over
Countries in Central America and North America
Costa Rica (Aprox. 9,000)
Panama (Aprox. 6,000)
Nicaragua (Aprox. 4,000)
Ecuador (Aprox. 4,000)
Colombia (Aprox. 8,000)
Veterans choose Major cities, mountains and coastal areas
Race
White, not Hispanic 52%
Hispanic 25%
Asian 1%
African American 11%
American Native 1%
Other Races 10%
Countries in Central America and North America
Costa Rica (Aprox. 9,000)
Panama (Aprox. 6,000)
Nicaragua (Aprox. 4,000)
Ecuador (Aprox. 4,000)
Colombia (Aprox. 8,000)
Veterans choose Major cities, mountains and coastal areas
Race
White, not Hispanic 52%
Hispanic 25%
Asian 1%
African American 11%
American Native 1%
Other Races 10%
Service Period
World War II 4%
Vietnam Era 41%
Korea 11%
Gulf War ’90 – ’01 23%
Post 911 21%
US Place of Birth

Texas 14%
California 13%
Illinois 4%
Ohio 5%
Pennsylvania 4%
New York State 11%
South 26%
Midwest 18%
West 9%
Service Period
World War II 4%
Vietnam Era 41%
Korea 11%
Gulf War ’90 – ’01 23%
Post 911 21%
US Place of Birth

Texas 14%
California 13%
Illinois 4%
Ohio 5%
Pennsylvania 4%
New York State 11%
South 26%
Midwest 18%
West 9%
Most Prevalent Disabilities of Veterans
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Generalized Chronic Pain
Ischemic Heart Disease
Scars
Degenerative Disc Disease
Lumbosacral or cervical strain
Chronic Lower Back Pain
Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve
Fibromyalgia
Depression
Limitation of motion of the knee
Limitation of motion of the ankle
Hypertensive vascular disease
Traumatic arthritis
Tinnitus
Amputations
Diabetes mellitus
Hearing loss
Migraine
High Blood Pressure
Impairment of the knee