WASHINGTON, D.C. – The latest medical research does not justify a change in the normal procedures for awarding disability pay to veterans affected by illnesses after serving in the Gulf War, Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hershel W. Gober announced today.
“The welfare of Gulf War veterans is one of the highest priorities for the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Gober. “Research continues, and VA will review all studies. If new scientific evidence reaches the threshold established by law, we’ll act accordingly. But, so far, we haven’t reached that threshold.”
In a report released in September 2000, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) looked at more than 10,000 published scientific studies related to four potential causes of Gulf War illnesses. Based on the IOM report, a link could not be established between the problems that veterans report today and the things they were exposed to during the Gulf War.
The IOM study examined scientific research on the health consequences of depleted uranium, sarin (a nerve gas), vaccines and pyridostigmine bromide (a medication to protect troops from nerve gas).
In one area, IOM found scientific evidence of a link between some medical problems and the sarin nerve gas. Specifically, IOM reported that people who required medical treatment at the time of exposure to high levels of sarin in industrial accidents and terrorist incidents may have on-going health problems. However, there is no evidence that U.S. service members were exposed to such high levels of sarin.
“This decision in no way changes VA's obligation to provide health care for veterans,” Gober said. “Additionally, veterans may still use existing procedures to pursue benefits for health problems that can be directly connected to military service.”
Gober’s decision involved a technical issue in the application process for veterans benefits. Normally, veterans must prove their on-going health problems occurred during – or are related to – their military service. But federal law gives VA the authority to assume certain health problems were associated with specific health threats during Gulf service, even if clear evidence of a connection is not available.
Called a “presumptive service-connection,” this change in the normal process is already being used by Vietnam veterans on the issue of exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange and by former service members exposed to certain kinds of radiation.
Of the 697,000 U.S. troops who served in the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, approximately 120,000 have registered with VA or DoD. Most of these veterans have commonplace symptoms and receive conventional diagnoses and treatments. More than 15,000, or about 20 percent, have undiagnosed symptoms, including fatigue, muscle and joint pains, headaches, memory loss, skin rash, diarrhea and sleep disturbances.
Gulf War veterans can receive free specialized medical examinations at VA facilities. VA provides health care for Gulf War veterans with medical problems potentially related to military service. Gulf War veterans may be eligible for disability compensation for illnesses or injuries related to their military service. Currently, VA provides disability compensation to more than 190,000 Gulf War veterans, including more than 3,000 with undiagnosed illnesses.
VA has a toll-free number (1-800-749-8387) to inform veterans about VA programs on Gulf War-era benefits. To view the IOM report see: http://books.nap.edu/catalog/9953.html.
