Data and Code for: "Invisible Wounds: How Mental Disability Benefits Shape Veteran Well-Being"

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) David Silver, University of California Santa Barbara; Jonathan Zhang, Duke University

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
  Data 05/07/2025 03:08:PM
  Other Code 05/07/2025 03:08:PM
0_R Setup.R text/x-rsrc 645 bytes 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
1_Get Disability Exams.sql text/x-sql 4.9 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
2_Construct Outcomes.sql text/x-sql 82.1 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
3_Get Medicare Claims.sas application/x-sas 3.3 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
4_Sample Construction.R text/x-rsrc 36.3 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
5_First Stage and Balance.R text/x-rsrc 41.6 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
6_Main Exhibits.R text/x-rsrc 100.8 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM
7_Appendix C.R text/x-rsrc 181.9 KB 05/07/2025 11:07:AM

Project Citation: 

Silver, David, and Zhang, Jonathan. Data and Code for: “Invisible Wounds: How Mental Disability Benefits Shape Veteran Well-Being.” Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2025. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2025-12-22. https://doi.org/10.3886/E228863V1

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary Abstract of paper: 
We study the effects of VA Disability Compensation on veterans with mental health conditions--a large and growing share of the veteran population. Leveraging quasi random assignment to medical examiners with differing rating tendencies, we estimate the impacts of an additional $1,000 per year in disability income over a five-year horizon. The transfers reduce food insecurity and homelessness by 4.1 and 1.3 percentage points, and lower debt collections by 6.4 percent. Despite minimal cost-sharing, veterans increase healthcare use by 2.5 percent, with greater uptake of preventive care and improved medication adherence. Patient satisfaction improves, particularly around communication and trust. We detect no changes in most health measures and estimate precise null effects on mortality. Veterans whose claims are denied have worse outcomes and may benefit more from compensation, suggesting the programs current rules may exclude those with substantial unmet need.

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms mental disorders; veterans; disability income
JEL Classification:  View help for JEL Classification
      H51 National Government Expenditures and Health
      H53 National Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
      I12 Health Behavior
      I38 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage United States
Time Period(s):  View help for Time Period(s) 2004 – 2021
Collection Date(s):  View help for Collection Date(s) 2020 – 2024 (Fall 2020 to Winter 2024)
Collection Notes:  View help for Collection Notes An observation (row) is a veteran first claiming mental health VA DC benefits. Outcomes are rows, and can reflect multiple time horizons (e.g., 3 year or 5 year outcomes).


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Published Versions

V1 [2025-12-22]

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