Presumed Medical Conditions And Gulf War Veterans Benefits

Today, VA offers Gulf War Veteran benefits to several younger veterans serving in U.S. armed forces. The VA provides various special services to these veterans, especially because a veteran serving during that time qualifies as serving during combat.

It is an essential distinction because such veterans are eligible for many VA disability benefits only granted to veterans who served during wartime. Additionally, the VA provides a few other special benefits to veterans who participated in the Gulf War combat era.

Illnesses And Medical Conditions Specific To The Gulf War

In various situations, the VA presumes that if a veteran serving in the Gulf War combat era in specific locations and experienced certain symptoms, it's related to their service. Along with the Gulf War Syndrome, several different diseases and medical conditions are associated with the Gulf War.

However, you must complete specific requirements to be entitled to disability benefits. You must not have obtained a dishonorable discharge or separation during the Gulf War while serving in that region.

Also, you must satisfy the following requirements:

• Your health issues started while serving in the military before 2017 or, to be precise, till December 31, 2016;
• You were ill for at least six months;
• You're eligible for a minimum 10% VA disability rating.

The medical condition was caused or aggravated by your service in the Gulf War region, often called the Southwest Asia theater of operations by the VA.

Additionally, the VA makes it necessary for a veteran applying for Gulf War benefits to have at least one of the following diseases:

• A Functional gastrointestinal disorder;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Chronic fatigue syndrome; and
• Any "undiagnosed condition," including but not restricted to cardiovascular disease, headaches, muscle and joint pain.

Presumed VA Disabilities For Gulf War Veterans

The VA also provides "Presumed VA Disability Benefits" to veterans. Such benefits are available to veterans with a minimum 10% VA disability rating who experienced the presumed disability in less than one year before discharge from service.

The list of presumed VA disabilities for Gulf War veterans includes:

• West Nile virus
• Nontyphoid salmonella
• Shigella
• Brucellosis
• Q Fever (Coxiella burneti)
• Campylobacter jejuni

How To Qualify As A Gulf War Veteran?

Explaining the Gulf War combat era is often tough, as there have been numerous conflicts during and around the Persian Gulf War region that the U.S. armed forces have served in.

Such conflicts continued over decades, often overlapping or occurring in standalone periods.

The first-ever Gulf War occurred in 1990 and lasted through 1991, surrounding the Iraq-Kuwait conflict. Meanwhile, the second Gulf War started shortly after the attack on the Pentagon and the WTS (World Trade Center) on 9/11/01. It continued with various campaigns in Iraq and officially ended in December 2011. These wars have contributed to shaping the lives of a lot of veterans.

Moreover, veterans of the conflict in Afghanistan, which started after 9/11/01 and have continued through to 2021, are also called Gulf War veterans. Any military service member who served as an enlisted member or was appointed an officer since 8/2/90 is known as a Gulf War veteran.

Benefits For Gulf War Veterans

Generally, Gulf War veterans may qualify for every VA disability benefit available for any military service member who contributes the minimum amount of time needed to serve their country.

There is an entire selection of fundamental and advanced VA disability benefits offered to every veteran of all stripes. These Gulf War Veterans' benefits may include VA healthcare, education, training, pension benefits, survivor's benefits, and home loans in certain circumstances.

Gulf War veterans can easily apply for these VA benefits at their nearest VA regional office or through the online benefits portal.