GULF WAR SYNDROME

Gulf War Syndrome refers to a combination of undiagnosed and poorly-understood illnesses common among Gulf War Veterans. The name can also be misleading. It isn't only veterans of the Gulf War who may qualify for compensation. Any veteran who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations since 1990 and meets the VA's rating criteria may qualify for compensation.

To obtain compensation for Gulf War Syndrome, the VA requires:

1. evidence establishing service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations at any time since August 2, 1990, including veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn;
2. a qualifying chronic disability; 
3. the qualifying chronic disability manifests a disability to a degree of at least 10 percent. 

The Southwest Asia theater of operations includes:

• Iraq
• Afghanistan
• Kuwait
• Saudi Arabia
• The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
• Bahrain 
• Qatar
• the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Oman
• Gulf of Aden
• Gulf of Oman
• Waters of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea
• The airspace above these locations

Qualifying chronic disabilities include:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a condition characterized by long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest or directly caused by other conditions
• Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain and other symptoms including insomnia, stiffness, headache, and memory problems. 
• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders causing chronic or recurrent symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract. Examples include, but are not limited to irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspesia, functional vomiting, functional constipation, functional bloating, functional abdominal pain syndrome, and functional dysphagia.
• Undiagnosed Illnesses with symptoms including fatigue, abnormal weight loss, headache, muscle and joint pain, skin conditions, sleep disorders, respiratory disorders, neurological and psychological problems, and menstrual disorders. 
• Nine Infectious Diseases including Malaria, Brucellosis, Campylobacter Jejuni, CoxiellaBurnetii (Q Fever), Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Nontyphoid Salmonella, Shigella, Visceral Leishmaniasis, and West Nile Virus. With the exception of Visceral Leishmaniasis and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, a listed infectious disease must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year of the date of separation from a qualifying period of active service.

If you think that the VA incorrectly denied your claim, let's talk. Call, e-mail, or click the link below.