What is Gulf War syndrome caused by?

What are the possible causes of Gulf War syndrome? Possible causes include: Chemical warfare agents, particularly nerve gas, or pyridostigmine bromide, which was given as a preventive measure to soldiers likely to be exposed to chemical warfare agents. Psychological factors, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

What is the VA disability rating for Gulf War Syndrome?

VA Disability Benefit Amounts for Gulf War Syndrome A combined rating ranges between 0 and 100 percent, in increments of 10 percent. However, to be eligible for benefits for “Gulf War Syndrome,” you must receive a 10 percent disability rating or higher.

How do you prove Gulf War Syndrome?

To qualify for this program, you must be able to prove that their illness appeared either during active duty in the Southwest Asia theatre of military operations, or after active duty service by December 31, 2021, and that their condition is more than ten percent disabling.

Is Gulf War Syndrome fatal?

Gulf War syndrome does not appear to be fatal but can be associated with considerable distress and disability. As a group the Gulf War veterans seem to report higher frequencies of these symptoms than do veterans of other wars; in one study up to 17 percent of British veterans believed they had Gulf War syndrome.

Is Gulf War syndrome contagious?

Government investigators as well as some prominent scientists express deep skepticism about such theories, and they find little evidence to support the claim that gulf war illnesses are contagious.

Is Gulf War Syndrome genetic?

Gulf War illness (GWI) is a life-altering disease presumably caused by multiple cumulative exposures. Since some, but not all personnel manifest this disease, there may be an additional genetic component that increases vulnerability to such exposures.

Is Gulf War Syndrome presumptive?

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs 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.

Who qualifies as a Gulf War veteran?

More than 650,000 Servicemembers served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect, meaning that anyone who served on active duty from August 2, 1990 to present is considered a Gulf War Veteran.

What chemicals were used in the Gulf War?

Chemical-warfare agents detected by Coalition forces during the Gulf War include the nerve agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), and cyclosarin (GF) and the blister agents sulfur-mustard and lewisite.

How do I apply for Gulf War syndrome benefits?

Gulf War Veterans can apply for these benefits at any VA regional office or through the eBenefits portal.

What are the side effects of Gulf War Syndrome?

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, respiratory disorders, and memory problems.

What are the symptoms of Desert Storm Syndrome?

The symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, bowel discomfort, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, skin problems and memory impairment. VA clinicians and researchers often call this condition “Gulf War illness” in medical literature.

Why is Gulf War syndrome hard to diagnose?

Because these symptoms are apparent with other illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) is hard to diagnose, and medical professionals haven’t identified one specific cause of it.

What are facts about Gulf War syndrome?

Gulf War syndrome. Gulf War syndrome, also known as Gulf War illness, is a chronic multisymptom disorder affecting returning military veterans and civilian workers of the Persian Gulf War . A wide range of acute and chronic symptoms have been linked to it, including fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive problems, rashes and diarrhea.

What are the symptoms of Gulf War syndrome?

Depression — Symptom Checker

How to deal with Gulf War syndrome?

While there is no specific treatment for Gulf War syndrome, research suggests that an approach called cognitive-behavioral therapy may help patients with nonspecific symptoms lead more productive lives by actively managing their symptoms.