Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Call Cuddigan Law at 402-933-5405 to schedule an evaluation to discuss your eligibility for compensation. Gulf War Syndrome is unique because its symptoms vary widely and it is difficult to measure these compared to other conditions. A disease characterized by profound fatigue, sleep abnormalities, pain, and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion. If the illness did not appear during active duty then it must have existed for 6 months or more and be at least 10%disabling by 12-31-2021. . The below-listed Gulf War presumptive conditions must be diagnosed within one year from the date of your military separation in order to qualify for VA benefits for disabilities resulting from your Gulf War service: Malaria Brucellosis Campylobacter Jejuni Coxiella Burnetii (Q Fever) Nontyphoid Salmonella Shigella West Nile Virus Musculoskeletal pain. Gulf War Illnesses presumptive period extended. Turkey does not qualify for Gulf War Presumptive Conditions. Veterans who suffer from Gulf War Illness or Gulf War Syndrome may be eligible for VA compensation with new Gulf War disability claim eligibility changes. Sometimes called Gulf War Syndrome or Gulf War Illness, these conditions affect thousands of veterans who deployed to the Persian Gulf during . Diarrhea. All subjects recruited were examined by a dermatologist, blind to the military and health status of the veteran. GULF WAR To include : OEF/OIF/OND PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS Requires service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. Carpal tunnel syndrome, the most frequent PNS disorder, was diagnosed in 14 veterans (0.4%). To qualify for presumptive service connection, a Persian Gulf War veteran must have experienced symptoms for at least six months, and the symptoms must be at least 10 percent disabling. Symptoms may include: Fatigue. If you are a veteran suffering symptoms you believe are associated with your time in the Gulf War, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinson's due to Agent Orange exposure have now been added to the list of presumptive conditions. I only add it to give texture to what follows, which is an expose of the law surrounding the Gulf War Syndrome presumption and GERD. But there is an additional way for Gulf War vets to become eligible for compensation without . VA has classified as certain conditions as "presumptive" of Gulf War Syndrome. (e) Service. If you've already applied and were denied benefits, there may still be options. Gulf War Syndrome symptoms can include, but are not limited to, fatigue, headaches, memory problems, joint pain, diarrhea, indigestion, nerve conditions, skin conditions, respiratory conditions, PTSD, and many more. If an extension of the current presumptive period was not implemented, service members whose conditions arise after Dec. 31, 2021 would be . . Oct 28, 2021. Gulf War Veterans The VA Presumptive List for Gulf War veterans is divided into two: Gulf War Syndrome and Infectious Diseases. In an effort to streamline the claims process, VA established presumptive service connection for Gulf War Illness under 38 CFR 3.317. This increase in adverse health effects has been seen not only in U.S. veterans, but also in veterans of the coalition forces, including Australia . The conditions of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, functional gastrointestinal conditions, and other . Breathing in sand dust and other fine particulate matter can embed those particles deep into the lungs. We hope this guide provides a better understanding of what the Presumptive Conditions for Gulf War Veterans are. Approximately 250,000 of the 697,000 U.S. veterans who served in the 1991 Gulf War . This means the VA presumes it was caused by military service. 1.Gulf War Presumptive Conditions Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease With Esophagitis 2.Helicobacter Pylori Gastrointestinal Tract Infection. With respect to VA awards of service-connection for presumptive conditions under section 1112(a) of title 38, United States Code, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD . Other symptoms may include insomnia . Diarrhea. (2) The Southwest Asia theater of operations refers to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman . If you are a Gulf War Veteran who may experience a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, and memory problems, VA presumes that some health conditions were caused by military service. Covered presumptive conditions for atomic veterans include all forms of leukemia (except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and various cancers. Symptoms continue to pose a frustrating problem for affected veterans and their healthcare providers. The presumption includes (1) MUCMIs; (2) undiagnosed illnesses; and (3) certain infectious diseases. I don't know about gulf war syndrome, but I did catch TB in Iraq, and it very well may be the cause of my rapid IBS onset after that first deployment. The answer is yes. Cognitive problems. Sometimes called Gulf War Syndrome or Gulf War Illness, these conditions affect thousands of veterans who deployed to the Persian Gulf during . referred to as CMI and therefore treatment is similar. There is no way I would have known how to navigate the VA system for GW claims without the guide. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Symptoms may include: Fatigue. VA also announced it will presumptively pay disability benefits to veterans who served in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and southwest Asia who now suffer from asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis. Skin rashes. If your illness or condition was diagnosed within one year of your date of separation You can get disability benefits for your illness or condition if you have one of these presumptive diseases: Brucellosis Campylobacter jejuni Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Malaria (or sooner in some cases) Nontyphoid salmonella Shigella West Nile virus Those are: Chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition of long-term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. But for many veterans of the Persian Gulf War era, another war is still being waged decades after their return. Gulf War Veterans. In summary, the overall rates of neurological disorders have been . A disease characterized by profound fatigue, sleep abnormalities, pain, and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion. Gulf War Veterans with Undiagnosed Illnesses. 2018-09-19T17:46. The extension revolves around conditions related to something called "Gulf War Syndrome". Veterans with this condition may seek VA benefits based on sinusitis being a presumptive condition related to particulate matter exposure in Djibouti, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, or Syria between September. This would mean the VA would "presume" these conditions were caused by military service during the Gulf War. Gulf War Veterans Win Five-Year Gulf War Syndrome VA Claims Extension. Gulf War to include OEF/OIF/OND Presumptive Conditions. I also have some other service connected ratings that are not directly related to the Gulf War as far as the guidelines for Gulf War presumptive are listed. VA Announces 3 New Presumptive Conditions Connected to Burn Pit Exposure. Therefore, the VA has determined that they are conditions presumptive to service for veterans having served in the Gulf War. Seborrhoeic dermatitis was twice as common as expected in the Gulf veterans (both . 800-953-6224. . Possible New Presumptive Conditions for Middle East and Asian Burn Pit Exposure . Although the VA does not generally use the term Gulf War Syndrome, they do recognize these illnesses as 'chronic multisymptom illnesses' and 'undiagnosed . Let's say you were serving in the Air Force and were stationed at Incirlik Air Base during the first Gulf War. Each of these Gulf War Syndrome symptoms should be rated as separate conditions. You can view the VA's reasoning here. VA has extended the cutoff date five more years, now set at December 31, 2026. A 2017 GAO report found that VA had denied more than 80% of Gulf War illness claims. Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Right now, the primary presumption for Gulf War Veterans is the Gulf War Illness presumption. To make this connection easier for veterans, VA has also established something called the VA Presumptive List for Service-Connected Disabilities. These are illnesses that may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances. Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome are Disability Pattern 2, diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses of unknown etiology. The VA announced it will begin processing claims for the chronic disabilities of asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis, as of Aug. 5, with servicemembers who deployed in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War . I wanted to see if the two Items above can be claimed as a Gulf War Presumptive Claim. GULF WAR ILLNESS? A "Persian Gulf War veteran" is any veteran who served in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations after August 2, 1990 during the Persian Gulf War. Like all veterans, Gulf War veterans are eligible for disability compensation for service-connected disabilities that first occurred or were worsened during military service. Rating for this VA has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans to ensure benefits established by Congress are fairly administered.. And more recent research from veterans service organizations shows the problem hasn't improved: Two veterans' advocacy groups, Veterans for Common Sense and Vietnam Veterans of . To . A prominent condition affecting Gulf War Veterans is a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness,. Were you denied VA disability benefits for Gulf War syndrome? The VA is currently reviewing the IOM's 2013 report, " Gulf War and Health: Treatment for Chronic Multisymptom Illness ," and the 2014 report, " Gulf . GWI falls under a broader umbrella term for a . However, if you flew in the airspace above any of the . Unlike the three original presumptive conditions for Gulf War veterans (asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis), these cancers can take decades to develop. Persian Gulf. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Multi-Symptom Illnesses include: . Symptoms of Gulf War syndrome may resemble other medical conditions. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Hello My Veteran Family I need some help. August 10, 2021. Veterans suffering from Gulf War Syndrome were exposed to sarin gas according to research findings that "prove" the connection. The extension applies to chronic disabilities rated 10 percent or more that have resulted from undiagnosed illnesses. A wide range of acute and chronic symptoms have been linked to it, including fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive problems, insomnia, rashes and diarrhea. First, it is important to know that 38 C.F.R 3.317 provides for presumptive service-connected compensation for qualifying Persian Gulf War veterans with qualifying illnesses. The exception is a list of presumptive conditions where it's assumed that your affliction is service-related of you were deployed in a certain part of the world in a specific timeframe. The first, and more ambiguous, of the classifications of Gulf War related illnesses is regarding Gulf War Syndrome. Hello All, I logged on to Ebenefits this afternoon to find that I was approved for my Gulf War claims. If you served in an area that may have caused disability, you might be entitled . 7031 Koll Center Pkwy, Pleasanton, CA 94566. master:2022-04-13_09-33-18. The first list is by far the most ambiguous. Army photo. 833-577-8387. These illnesses have been reported by Gulf War Veterans, and they are usually unexplained chronic symptoms. Variants in genetics between veterans resulted in differe These conditions cause chronic fatigue, migraine headaches, joint pain, respiratory issues, memory recall problems, insomnia and dizziness. It is in Turkey. This study examines the prevalence and spectrum of skin disease in Gulf war veterans and other military controls 8-10 years after the conflict. That said, I don't want MY opinion to taint your perspective of this case. Skin disease has been an important health concern in military personnel throughout history, 13 particularly during active combat. Cognitive problems. I can list the rest of my service connection ratings if necessary. Symptoms of Gulf War syndrome may resemble other medical conditions. Again, there should be a diagnosis of the condition the Veteran is filing for. CMI is an umbrella term which conditions include: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease) (ME/CFS (SEID))", a condition . When it comes to Gulf War Syndrome, the VA rates each symptom separately, based on the closest analogous condition within the disability ratings chart. Presumptive Service Connection for Gulf War Veterans. If the illness did not appear during active duty then it must have existed for 6 months or more and be at least 10% disabling by 12-31-2026.Included are medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms that have existed for six . NEED HELP? If you have questions, you can call the VA's Gulf War Information Helpline: 800-749-8387. The VA . The following conditions are considered presumptive service connected for exposed veterans: AL amyloidosis; B-cell leukemia; Extending the presumptive period will ensure that . The list includes conditions like Gulf War Syndrome and multi-symptom illnesses, which must qualify for a 10% rating before the deadline in order to . If so can they be claimed separately What would be the Va. Gulf War Veterans' Presumptive Conditions. See our Gulf War Syndrome page for more details. Gulf War syndrome or Gulf War illness is a chronic and multi-symptomatic disorder affecting military veterans of both sides of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War. Skin complaints accounted for up to 75% of all dispensary visits . 19, 2001, to today or the Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, through today. For Gulf War veterans, beyond typical disabilities, there is an additional compensable condition termed "Gulf War Syndrome." . Diagnosable functional gastrointestinal disorders. Veterans who were deployed to the Persian Gulf region in 1990-1991 have consistently reported having poorer health and quality of life than veterans who served in the military during the war but were not deployed or were deployed elsewhere. . (Public Health) The list of organs . Names aside, to be eligible for this presumption, you have to have qualifying Persian . Congress has granted an estimated 200,000 Gulf War veterans affected by Gulf War Syndrome more time to file presumptive disability claims for benefits. The fine sand found throughout the Persian Gulf and the rest of Southwest Asia has been identified as a possible contributing factor, if not the outright cause, of many of the conditions associated with Gulf War Syndrome. These illnesses may . Mistake #1: Filing a claim for a presumptive condition listed under the Southwest Asia Theater when you actually served in Afghanistan. Migraine, the most frequent central nervous system (CNS) disorder, was diagnosed in 43 veterans (1.3% of 3233). According to the U.S. Department . Sep 19, 2018 #1. Infectious Diseases. CALL US TO GET STARTED. In this video, Veteran Coach Jeremy Cole and Veteran Coach Cody Dillard explain Gulf War presumptive conditions for those who served in the Gulf War and may be suffering from resulting disabilities. . who: Served i n the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations Have a condition t hat is at least 10 percent disabling by Dec. 31, 2026 Specific presumed c onditions are: Medi cally unexplained chronic multi -symptom illnesses that exist for six months or more, such as: Chronic fatigue syndrome Fibromyalgia Arabian Sea. There is no specific time frame during which you must be diagnosed in order for your cancer to be linked to your service. The very term "presumptive" makes it seem like service connection should be automatic, but unfortunately, for many veterans, VA regulations make the process difficult and time consuming. The VA will decide all of these non-presumptive claims on a case by case basis. Requires service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. In this video, Veteran Coach Jeremy Cole and Veteran Coach Cody Dillard explain Gulf War presumptive conditions for those who served in the Gulf War and may be suffering from resulting disabilities. Gulf War Syndrome is a collection of . Red Sea. VA adds 3 more presumptive conditions related to particulate matter exposure. There are two separate Gulf War Syndrome criteria depending on where you served and the qualifying conditions for each area are not the same. Results: The prevalences of skin disease in disabled Gulf, non-disabled Gulf and disabled non-Gulf veterans were 47.7, 36.7, and 42.8% respectively. Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes. 38 C.F.R. 833-577-8387 . Because Gulf War Veterans serving in Southwest Asia began developing random, chronic symptoms that could not be diagnosed, the term Gulf War Syndrome was coined. Skin rashes. To be eligible for a presumptive service connection, Veterans must have served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and later developed one of the following eight conditions: Adult leukemia. Feb. 21, 2019 Many Persian Gulf War veterans experience Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic condition with symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal to neurological. Like with Gulf War Syndrome, these conditions must be Chronic and manifest to 10% before December 31, 2026. While exposure to the anti . Medically unexplained illnesses in Gulf War veterans are covered under the VA's list of presumptive conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Oct. 27 the extension for the period of presumptive illnesses for Persian Gulf War veterans until Dec. 31, 2026. Gulf War Syndrome. 100 P&T. First let me say thank you to all of you here, especially PGWVET and the guide that he helped write. To request a consultation with one of our VA disability lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI, call the VA Disability Group at 1-844-VET-LAWS (1-844-838-5297). This paper presents population prevalence estimates and prevalence ratios of respiratory disease among Gulf War and Gulf War Era veterans who use VA healthcare. Symptoms involving the upper or lower respiratory system Sleep disturbance Gastrointestinal problems Cardiovascular problems Weight loss Menstrual disorders The presumptive period for these conditions, commonly called Gulf War Syndrome, was previously set to expire at the end of 2021. The Gulf War Presumptive List allows veterans who served in Southwest Asia and Afghanistan during the Gulf War to receive benefits for certain conditions that develop after their military service. Because of this rejection, Gulf War veterans must prove their illness was related to their wartime activities. * Signs or symptoms involving skin * Headache * Muscle pain * Joint pain * Neurological signs or symptoms * Neuropsychological signs or symptoms * Signs or symptoms involving the respiratory system (upper or lower) * Sleep disturbances * Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms * Cardiovascular signs or symptoms * Abnormal weight loss 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. Nearly 150 American military personnel lost their lives, and more than 450 more were wounded in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. You can get disability benefits for your illness or condition if you have a disability rating of 10% or more and you have one of these presumptive diseases: Brucellosis Campylobacter jejuni Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Nontyphoid salmonella Shigella West Nile virus Malaria (or sooner in some cases) I am service connected from the VA for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 60%, IBS for 30%, Migraine Headaches for 10% and PTSD for 30%. This is because the condition is so common among Gulf War Veterans that the VA classifies IBS as a presumptive condition for Gulf War service. CMI GULF WAR CLAIMS. November 7th 2021. . There is also Gulf War Syndrome, an illness that doctors cannot clinically diagnose, but is causing issues for . To be fair, the VA is strongly resisting calling it Gulf War Illness - they prefer the term "Chronic Multi-Symptom Illness", or "CMSI" or "CMI". Symptoms continue to pose a frustrating problem for affected veterans and their healthcare providers. The VA also decided against extending presumptive status to other diseases, conditions or illnesses contained in the IOM's 2006 and 2010 reports. To receive service connection for a presumptive condition, a Gulf War Veteran must: Have a current medical diagnosis; Proof of service in the . For example, if a veteran's Gulf War Syndrome symptoms include . . 3.317 entitles a qualifying veteran with a qualifying condition to a presumption of service connection with a qualifying condition. If so, our veteran disability lawyers may be able to help. Musculoskeletal pain. Thus, VA will not require that the chronic respiratory conditions of asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis, manifest to a compensable degree or more so that more Gulf War Veterans can meet the lower eligibility criteria for presumptive service connection for exposure to fine, particulate matter even at a non-compensable . We hope this guide provides a better understanding of what the Presumptive Conditions for Gulf War Veterans are. Bladder cancer. Yes. . Gulf War Presumptives include a number of health conditions that the VA presumes were caused by military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. Presumptive conditions mentioned by the VA can include: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) - a condition of . A total of 157 veterans (4.9%) were diagnosed with neurological diseases. Denial rates were three times higher than for all other medical issues related to the war, and the claims process took longer. Gulf War vets began developing seemingly random, unconnected chronic symptoms that do not comprise a single identifiable diagnosis. If a clinical diagnosis can be made, then the symptoms do NOT . Blog Gulf War Presumptive Conditions Many Gulf War veterans across the U.S. have faced numerous health issues that have been called Gulf War Illness or Gulf War Syndrome. For the final VA Presumptive List for Gulf War Veterans, veterans who develop one of the following infectious diseases qualify if they served in Southwest Asia or Afghanistan after . If you stayed on base and in the country of Turkey you would not be eligible. Finally, the VA Secretary issued a recommendation to consider the creation of new presumptions of service connection for chronic respiratory conditions common among veterans of the Persian Gulf War and actions in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. The presumption holds that if a veteran served in the locations listed above between August 2, 1990 and December 31, 2026, and they experience certain signs or symptoms, VA will presume that the veteran's Gulf War service caused their condition. constellation of chronic, unexplained symptoms . The airspace above these listed areas. The new presumptive conditions are asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis. Gulf War Syndrome is a cumulation of illnesses veterans are diagnosed with. If you served in an area that may have caused disability, you might be entitled . to establish presumptive service connection for asthma, sinusitis, and/or rhinitis (to include rhinosinusitis) under 38 cfr 3.320 for these burn pit exposure presumptive conditions, your evidence of record must show qualifying service at one of the specified duty locations, and manifestation of the qualifying diagnosed chronic disability (ies) By: Cory Titus. Background: Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War were exposed to a variety of toxic substances during their service that included several airborne hazards, but only a few small studies have assessed respiratory outcomes in Gulf War veterans. For purposes of this section: (1) The term Persian Gulf veteran means a veteran who served on active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.