Gulf War
Syndrome Joe Miller's
Gulf War Web Site
Gulf War
Syndrome
Still Feeling the Pain
Information on this page was obtained from the January 2001 issue of VFW Magazine. For further information, please refer to the magazine. The article this information was obtained from can be viewed on the web site as well as in the magazine.
The Story In Numbers
Troops deployed in Persian Gulf (8/2/1990 - 7/31/1991 696,628 Troops believed to have been exposed to chemical warfare agents 100,000 Troops who received pyridostigmine bromide 250,000 Troops who received botulism vaccine 8,000 Troops who received anthrax vaccine 150,000 Troops believed to have been exposed to depleted uranium 436,000
Source: National Gulf War Resource Center
| Gulf theater troops filing disability claims with the VA | 249,000 |
| VA claims granted | 192,024 |
| VA claims denied | 26,410 |
| VA claims pending | 31,376 |
Source: VA Office of Public Affairs, July 15, 2000
Gulf
War Syndrome: A VFW Timeline of Involvement
Over the past decade, the VFW has taken the lead in fighting for legislation providing care and compensation to Persian War veterans. Here is a chronological rundown on those laws and initiatives.
November 4, 1992: Persian Gulf Veterans Health Status Act (PL 102-585) provided examinations for all Gulf vets through the creation of the Persian Gulf War Veterans Health Registry.
November 16, 1993: VFW testified during simultaneous House and Senate Hearings.
December 20, 1993: Amendment to title 38, U.S. Code (PL 103-210) authorized VA to provide health care services on a priority basis to Persian Gulf veterans.
April 28, 1994: VFW testified before National Institutes of Health (NIH) Technology Assessment Workshop.
November 2, 1994: Persian Gulf War Veterans Benefits Act (PL 103-446) allowed Persian Gulf Veterans to receive compensation from VA for an "undiagnosed illness" for the first time in history.
1994: VFW Persian Gulf War Veterans Survey and follow-up on more than 2,000 Gulf War veterans produced a report finding a significant number of veterans suffering from illness. The report was delivered to a White House briefing.
1994-1995: National Defense Authorization Act contained provisions for conduction research by non-federal researchers, especially into genetic origins of illnesses among spouses. And also for studying birth defects and illnesses found in offspring born before and after the Gulf War.
December 6, 1995: VFW provided the White House with names of individuals on its Gulf War Registry.
October 9, 1996: Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 (PL 104-262) extended presumption for service connection for undiagnosed illness until 2001.
February 1997: VFW sponsored a public forum on Persian Gulf War Illnesses in Washington, D.C.
November 11, 1998: Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 (PL 105-368) extended VA's deadline for family members to participate in the VA Persian Gulf Registry Medical Evaluation Program until December 31, 2001.
January 2001: VFW advocates open-ended presumption for service connection for undiagnosed illness and presumption of service connection for Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) through monthly Pentagon forums.
VFW Resolutions
The VFW has standing resolutions urging Congress, the VA and/or the DoD to:
Ensure that all veterans affected by their service during the Persian Gulf War are appropriately treated and adequately compensated (Res. 625).
Oppose a termination date for the Persian Gulf War Era (Res. 615).
Implement the depleted uranium training program and conduct an independent study regarding the health effects of depleted uranium (Res. 633).
Conduct government-sponsored medical and scientific research to determine the cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among Persian Gulf veterans (Res. 647).
Sources For Help
Gulf War veterans seeking a medical examination can call the DoD's Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program at 800-796-9699.
To enroll in the Persian Gulf Registry, inquire about benefits, or obtain other information about their status, Gulf War Veterans may call 800-342-5257.
Veterans of the Gulf War era who think they may have ALS are encouraged to call the VA at 877-342-5257.
©2001 by CEnet
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