VA Disability Benefits for Gulf War Veterans

Many veterans who served in the Gulf War have experienced serious health issues in the years following the conflict. Various legislation passed after the Gulf War has expanded the availability of VA disability benefits for Gulf War veterans who have developed disabilities or medical conditions due to injuries or exposure they suffered in the conflict. Veterans who served in that conflict should learn more about their legal rights and options.

Common Gulf War-Related Health Conditions

The environmental exposures that servicemembers had while serving in the Middle East during the Gulf War period can cause various health issues. Examples of conditions commonly linked to Gulf War service include:

• “Gulf War Syndrome”: A chronic, multisymptomatic condition that can cause issues like fatigue, joint pain, and memory issues
• Chronic respiratory issues, such as asthma diagnosed post-service, chronic bronchitis, COPD, chronic sinusitis, emphysema, interstitial lung disease, pleuritis, pulmonary fibrosis, and sarcoidosis
• Skin rashes and other dermatological issues
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Brucellosis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Visceral leishmaniasis
• Q fever
• Campylobacter jejuni
• Shigella
• Malaria
• West Nile virus
• Various cancers

Some Gulf War veterans have also sought medical care for undiagnosed illnesses that cause various symptoms, such as cardiovascular problems, chronic headaches or migraines, and muscle and joint pain.

Presumptive Conditions for Gulf War Veterans

The VA recognizes various medical conditions as “presumptive” conditions for Gulf War veterans. Veterans who develop presumptive conditions and who served in various places after specific dates can obtain VA disability benefits for their presumptive condition, as the “presumptive” nature of the condition relieves the veteran of their burden to prove a service connection for their condition. 

For many conditions, a veteran may have a presumptive condition if they served in any of the following areas on or after August 2, 1990:

• Afghanistan
• Bahrain
• Egypt
• Iraq
• Israel
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• The waters of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea

Other conditions only become presumptive conditions if a veteran’s service occurred on or after September 19, 2001. 

Filing a VA Disability Claim

Veterans who file disability claims for presumptive conditions linked to the Gulf War era will need to gather supporting documentation for their application, including medical records documenting an official diagnosis of a presumptive condition and the severity of symptoms caused by the condition, and service records to establish qualifying service. 

Compensation and Benefits Available

Depending on the disability rating assigned to a condition, a veteran may obtain various benefits, such as:

• Monthly compensation payment that varies based on a veteran’s disability rating and the family members in their household
• Caregiver support or financial assistance with long-term care services
• Grants for purchases or renovations of homes to accommodate disabilities
• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Free healthcare through the VA

Challenges Gulf War Veterans May Face

Although recent laws have made it easier for Gulf War and Global War on Terror veterans to obtain VA disability benefits, individuals may still face other challenges, such as:

• Lack of a documented diagnosis of a medical or presumptive condition
• Obtaining benefits for conditions not yet recognized as presumptive conditions
• Not meeting service criteria
• Getting conditions correctly rated by the VA due to difficulties in understanding or assessing the severity of symptoms

Contact a VA Disability Attorney Today

Suppose you served in the Gulf War and have since developed severe health conditions. In that case, you may have the right to obtain VA disability benefits. Contact Veterans Benefits Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about the available benefits programs for Gulf War veterans who have developed health conditions linked to exposures that servicemembers may have had during that conflict.