Is there any research on the effects or correlations of airborne parachute operations and long-term degenerative disc disease of military paratroopers?

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) was recently tasked with finding research on the effects or correlations of airborne parachute operations and long-term degenerative disc disease (DDD) of military paratroopers.

The military has used various personnel parachute designs throughout the years, yet former airborne personnel still have a high rate of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits for spinal and cervical DDD.  Discovering any correlation could prevent injury, potentially reducing VA claims, through better parachute designs or improved safety gear.

If you have any information on this topic, please contact Deanna Milonas (deanna.c.milonas.ctr@mail.mil), the HDIAC lead analyst for this effort.