The Department of Veteran Affairs has extended the deadline for Gulf War Veterans’ presumptive conditions. To clarify, these claims are for developed chronic illnesses stemming from their time in service. 

Gulf War Syndrome

The illnesses known as “Gulf War Syndrome” are “presumptive conditions”. Gulf War Veterans with disabilities relating to these illnesses in fact do not need to prove their military service caused them. 

Although there is no time limit for claiming disability benefits from the VA, some presumptive conditions are set with a deadline. 

Disabled Veterans Of America (DAV) stated Gulf War Syndrome affects over 200,000 veterans out of the 650,000 service members who served in Desert Sheild and Desert Storm. 

To qualify for benefits, the illness must have either:

• Been in effect for at least six months 
• Transpired during service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations from August 2nd, 1990, to the present. Including Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2010) and Operation New Dawn (2010-2011)
• Been diagnosed as at least 10% disabling by the VA

The VA initially scheduled the deadline for Gulf War Veterans to receive benefits with a related disability diagnosis after December 31st, 2021. However, the department has extended it to December 31st, 2026.

On September 14th, 2021, the VA provided its reason for this change. 

• No established end date for the Persian Gulf War 
• Medical evidence is unclear as to how long illnesses take to show up in affected veterans

Gulf War Veterans’ Presumptive Conditions

Gulf War Syndrome is a cumulation of illnesses veterans are diagnosed with. The VA currently lists the following as related to Gulf War service:

• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | a condition of long-term and severe fatigue. (Public Health)
• Fibromyalgia | a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Other symptoms may include insomnia, morning stiffness, headache, and memory problems. (Public Health)
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders | a group of conditions marked by chronic or recurrent symptoms related to any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Functional condition refers to an abnormal function of an organ without a structural alteration in the tissues. Examples include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain syndrome. (Public Health)
• Undiagnosed illnesses | abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances. (Public Health)

On A Mission For Our Veterans

If you served in the Gulf War and have any of these or other unexplained illnesses, contact Veteran Ratings. They assist Veterans like you to see whether they may be eligible for free health care or disability benefits.

Of course, contact us for more information.