Library

Disabling Illnesses Common to the Gulf War Veteran (Part A)

When a Gulf War veteran begins experiencing abnormal symptoms and illnesses without explanation it's often determined they developed these conditions during their time served in Southwest Asia. Operation Desert Storm veteran soldiers all the way through Operation New Dawn are among the many that may be entitled to Gulf War veterans benefits.

Gulf War Veterans Benefits for Presumptive and Non-presumptive Illnesses

The Department of Veterans Affairs has developed a registry to handle the numerous claims from a Gulf War veteran suffering from a suspected service-related condition. There are some conditions that are presumed to be related to military service, known as presumptive illnesses, and many of these are specific to veterans of the Gulf War.

If a Desert Storm veteran is diagnosed with a medically unexplained multi-symptom illness, commonly referred to as "Gulf War Syndrome", they're presumed to have developed it due to their service in the war.

Likewise, several infectious diseases are also presumed to be service-related including:

• malaria;
• west nile virus;
• shigella;
• brucellosis;
• mycobacterium tuberculosis;
• campylobacter jejuni;
• visceral leishmaniasis;
• nontyphoid salmonella; and
• coxiella burnetti (Q fever).

A Gulf War veteran that suffers from conditions not automatically presumed to be due to their service may still claim a combat-related illness with proper medical documentation and approval.

Non-presumptive illnesses are often those related to exposures to environmental hazards and harmful chemicals. Similar to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, a Desert Storm veteran can be among the thousands of veterans that were potentially exposed to harmful conditions during service.

All veterans who suffer from suspicious medical conditions that cause disability should consider applying for Gulf War veterans benefits. There are ways to help prevent our veterans from suffering these afflictions alone, and you can learn how to become a part of this campaign.

Continue to Next Page >>

Want to make a difference in a disabled veteran's life? Give a secure online donation to Care for Disabled Veterans. Or call 1-877-617-2170 to contact us directly. Order our free veterans and caregivers guide to learn more about who we are, what we do and why we care.

Free Donation Guide