Description

VETDISAB gives the disability rating (if any) of veterans who have a service-connected disability. As defined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a service-connected disability is caused by "an injury or illness that was incurred or aggravated during active military service." Assigned by the VA, service-connected disability ratings influence a person's eligibility and order of priority for health-care services. For more information, see the federal government's explanation of service-connected disabilities.

Comparability

This variable is available only in the 2008-onward ACS/PRCS.

Universe

Availability

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: ACS; ACS 3yr
• 2010: ACS; ACS 3yr
• 2009: ACS
• 2008: ACS
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2004: --
• 2003: --
• 2002: --
• 2001: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1960: --
• 1950: --
• 1940: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --
• 1900: --
• 1880: --
• 1870: --
• 1860: --
• 1850: --

• 2023: All samples
• 2022: All samples
• 2021: All samples
• 2020: All samples
• 2019: All samples
• 2018: All samples
• 2017: All samples
• 2016: All samples
• 2015: All samples
• 2014: All samples
• 2013: All samples
• 2012: All samples
• 2011: PRCS; PRCS 3yr
• 2010: PRCS; PRCS 3yr
• 2009: PRCS
• 2008: PRCS
• 2007: --
• 2006: --
• 2005: --
• 2000: --
• 1990: --
• 1980: --
• 1970: --
• 1930: --
• 1920: --
• 1910: --

Flags

Editing Procedure

VETDISAB (VA service-connected disability rating)
ACS Years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
ACS editing procedure:
Note: In 2013, the categories for VETSTAT were changed - two categories for having been in the military were collapsed together. These changes do not affect the editing of VETDISAB.
This variable is asked in two parts. First, it is a check box asking if the person have a VA service-connected disability rating. Second, for those that have a rating, the respondent is asked what percentage disability rating they have.
If a person is under 17 or reports that they have never been in the military (VETSTAT), VETDISAB will be replaced with a "Not in universe."
If a person reports being in the military, having been in the military, or being in the National Guard or reserves (VETSTAT), selects the checkbox for having a VA service related disability rating, but leaves the rating unspecified, the rating will be replaced with "Not reported."
If a person reports being in the military, having been in the military, or being in the National Guard or reserves (VETSTAT), selects "No" on the checkbox for if they have a service-related disability rating, but then reports a positive value for the disability rating, the rating will be replaced with a missing value.
If a person reports being in the military, having been in the military, or being in the National Guard or reserves (VETSTAT) and leaves both the check box and the percentage undetermined, the check box will be replaced with "No."
If a person reports being in the military, having been in the military, or being in the National Guard or reserves and the checkbox for having a VA service related disability rating is undetermined and reports a positive value for the percentage disability, the checkbox will be replaced with "Yes."
The flag variable will indicate if the check box, the rating, or both were edited (QVETDISB).
Internal ACS variable : SCD