What is Gulf War Syndrome Disability?

Gulf War syndrome is a term that is used to describe a variety of unexplained symptoms that last a long time. These symptoms affect Persian Gulf War veterans. There is no exact code used to diagnose Gulf War Syndrome disability. However, you will still qualify to receive disability benefits if you are a Gulf War vet and have been previously diagnosed with various medical conditions. Read on to learn more about Gulf War syndrome and diagnosis information.

Gulf War Syndrome Defined

Many veterans who previously served in Kuwait and Iraq in the early 1990s began reporting a series of symptoms after coming home from deployment. These symptoms were occurring at increasing rates and ranged from rashes to unexplained joint pain. Veterans referred to this as Gulf War Syndrome, even though the VA refers to it as Gulf War Illness.

Approximately 650,000 troops served in the Gulf War theater between 1990 and 1991. Out of the 650,000 veterans who served during that time, between 175,000 and 250,000 have experienced Gulf War Syndrome.

Research conducted by a federal advisory committee, reported that these symptoms are a result of neurotoxic exposures following Gulf War deployment. The majority of veterans do experience an improvement in their symptoms over time.

Here are some of the symptoms that have been reported by Gulf War veterans:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint pain
• Unexplained rashes
• Sleep interruptions
• Neurological symptoms and signs
• Neuropsychological symptoms
• Upper and lower respiratory symptoms
• Unexplained weight loss
• Menstrual disorders
• Cardiovascual symptoms
• Gastrointensital symptoms

Diagnosing Gulf War Syndrome

The majority of Gulf War veterans have told similar stories related to conflicting medical evidence and not being able to be properly diagnosed. Most veterans who are suffering from these symptoms are unable to accurately explain exactly what they are feeling to medical professionals. They are not able to communicate exactly what has been happening following their deployment.

There have been many cases where veterans have been sent to specialist after specialist only to never receive an accurate diagnosis. Veterans that have been seeking disability benefits have been facing many challenges when it comes to having a physician make a connection between their service and symptoms.

Gulf War Syndrome & Disability Claims

If any of the following symptoms are associated with a veteran’s Gulf War service and have been occurring for at least 6 months or more, then it is considered Gulf War Syndrome by the VA:

• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• IBS, abdominal pain syndrome, and dyspepsia
• Fatigue, cardiovascular disease, headache, joint and muscle pain, menstrual disorders, sleep disturbances, skin conditions, fatigue, and more.

These symptoms must have occurred while the veteran was in active service in certain locations. These locations include:

• Iraq
• Kuwait
• Egypt
• Israel
• Turkey
• Syria
• Afghanistan
• Bahrain
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Gulf of Aden
• Joran
• Gulf of Oman
• The United Arab of Emirates

Veterans do not have to have a certain degree of disability to file a claim. There is also no set amount of time in which a veteran must file a claim. They can do so at any time.