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The recent Boston Marathon attacks are believed to have resulted in several amputation injuries. However, for these victims, life with a prosthetic device is likely to be much easier, than has been the case in the past.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have contributed to tremendous advances in prosthetics technology, and today, veterans, as well as civilians, have access to prosthetics that are not only easy to wear, more comfortable and more effective, but also contribute to more natural walking.

Not only that, modern prosthetics also enable users to run, jump and climb with their artificial limbs. Performing such activities with the use of a prosthetic limb was unthinkable just a few decades ago. These days however, it’s fairly common to find amputees fitted with artificial limbs participating in a number of outdoor activities and sports.

Many prosthetic limbs also now make use of artificial intelligence to increase the effectiveness of the limb, and efficiency of movement, taking prosthetic technology one step further. Artificial limbs nowadays are waterproof, dust proof and corrosion-free.

What is also very encouraging for California veterans’ benefits lawyers is the wide range of prosthetic limbs that are currently available. There isn't a one-size-fits-all limb that veteran amputees can choose. There are limbs that may be suited to you depending on your requirement and your lifestyle.

Prosthetic limbs can be expensive, but it's not necessary that the most expensive device is the one that is most suited to you. Not everybody needs a high-tech expensive device with sophisticated top-of-the-line features of the kind that a marathon runner might need. It's important to discuss prosthetic limbs with your doctor before you decide on a suitable prosthetic device for you

There is a new generation of veterans that is being welcomed in the United States, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, and thousands of soldiers return home. However, there are stark differences between this generation of vets and the generation that returned from Vietnam.

Many troops are now female. Also, many veterans are members of the Reserves and National Guard. One of the most significant differences that California veterans benefits lawyers have found between these vets and in the past, is the injuries that these veterans have suffered. Many veterans now return with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and suffer severe and debilitating injuries like genital injuries, which were not seen in past wars.

There has been great progress made in helping military personnel survive debilitating injuries during combat. That is part of the reason why fatality rates in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been lower than in the past. However, the downside to this is that survivors are often left with catastrophic injuries.

For instance, the use of IED devices has meant that many veterans have suffered injuries to their genitals. These are serious injuries that in the past would have resulted in death from blood loss, but in a modern war, many veterans have survived these injuries. According to the Veterans Administration, among the recent veterans that it's treated, more than 1,600 have suffered limb amputations.

There are vast numbers of vets currently seeking benefits for service-related disabilities. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be filing veteran’s benefit claims. In fact, claims are being filed at a speedy rate, and the government is finding it hard to process claims quickly, leading to backlogs.