Many veterans of the Gulf War and other ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have developed a common family of debilitating medical symptoms that professionals have named “Gulf War illness.” The VA has specific regulations that govern the availability of disability benefits for Gulf War illness. But what symptoms should Gulf War veterans look for that may indicate they have Gulf War illness? Furthermore, once they have a diagnosis of Gulf War illness, what evidence do they need to file a VA disability benefits claim and maximize their disability rating and compensation?
What Is Gulf War Illness?
Gulf War illness, also called Gulf War syndrome, refers to a group of unexplained illnesses, specific infectious diseases, or exposure-related medical conditions that have developed in military personnel who served in the Middle East during the 1991 Gulf War. These illnesses frequently cause debilitating symptoms for veterans of the Gulf War. Veterans who have Gulf War illness that meets certain criteria do not need to prove a service connection when applying for VA disability benefits. Instead, those criteria allow the VA to presume a connection between the veteran’s condition and their military service.
Common Symptoms of Gulf War Illness
Gulf War-related illnesses can cause numerous symptoms that affect various body systems. Some of the most common symptoms of a Gulf War illness include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic joint or muscle pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Chronic gastrointestinal issues
- Insomnia
- Respiratory difficulties
- Memory or concentration issues
- Skin conditions
What Evidence Do You Need for a Gulf War Illness Claim?
A veteran who applies for disability benefits for Gulf War illness will need to provide various kinds of evidence to establish their right to compensation, including:
- Medical records that include formal diagnoses or objective documentation of symptoms
- Service records to confirm that a veteran served in eligible locations
- Buddy statements to corroborate in-service exposure or events or to describe the nature and severity of a veteran’s symptoms
Presumptive Service Connection Rules
The VA’s presumptive service connection rules recognize various conditions as presumptively connected to a veteran’s service in the Middle East. A veteran who has served on or after August 2, 1990, may have a presumptive condition if they served in any of the following locations:
- Afghanistan
- Bahrain
- Egypt
- Irad
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- Turkey
- The United Arab Emirates
- The water of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, or Red Sea
Certain conditions diagnosed during military service or any time after separation from service have a presumptive service connection as a Gulf War illness, including:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders
- Medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness
- Undiagnosed cardiovascular symptoms, muscle and joint pain, or headaches/migraines
Certain infectious diseases diagnosed within one year of separation of service may also qualify as a presumptive condition, including:
- Brucellosis
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Q fever
- Malaria
- Nontyphoid salmonella
- Shigella
- West Nile virus
A veteran may also have a presumptive condition if diagnosed with Mycobacterium tuberculosis or visceral leishmaniasis any time after separation from service.
How the VA Rates Gulf War Illness
A presumptive condition under the Gulf War illness rules must manifest a disability to at least a 10 percent rating. The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities to rate a veteran’s condition or conditions. VA claims examiners will use the diagnostic criteria for a veteran’s condition, if listed in the VASRD, or identify the most closely related listed condition. The diagnostic criteria assess the degree of impairment to a veteran’s daily life, social functioning, and working ability.
Contact Our VA Disability Benefits Firm Today
If you served in the Gulf War or in the Middle East and have since developed symptoms consistent with Gulf War illness, you may have the right to receive disability benefits from the VA. Contact Kinman Law Office today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits lawyer to learn more about Gulf War illness and what you need to secure your right to compensation for Gulf War illness.
