Many wish to hold onto the old statistics (many current statistics seemingly have the same numbers published back in 2002 or 2005) but an unexplainable number of veterans being diagnosed with PLS seem to be unaccounted for in current statistics.
PS. If I may add this... Neurologists are not required to report MNDs to such as the CDC. And... generally, PLS is a later in life MND (older folks). Also, not everyone who has a diagnosis joins a Forum so any indication would be lacking here. Many older folks now are not computer savvy. I believe, my opinion, the true numbers are really unknown and anything currently published is a vague guesstimate. Years ago Alzheimers was considered somewhat rare... not anymore. I'd bet all of this would also apply to ALS.
Finally, (I rarely ramble on anymore) having a diagnostic code making one eligible for "benefits"... I find nothing beneficial about this diagnosis. That word "benefits" has never set in my craw... it should be "assistance". As it would overwhelmingly be more fitting to those with ALS.