What was the Gulf War Syndrome?
Gulf War syndrome or Gulf War illness is a chronic and multi-symptomatic disorder affecting returning military veterans of the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War. A wide range of acute and chronic symptoms have been linked to it, including fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive problems, insomnia, rashes and diarrhea.
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.
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.
What skin conditions are associated with Gulf War Syndrome?
Sand dust also causes skin disease in some Gulf War veterans. The fine sand dries out and abrades the skin. Skin disease from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other locations in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations resulting from sand dust can manifest as chronic dermatitis, eczema, and skin inflammation.
What is the 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.
What are the Gulf War presumptive illnesses?
And you have one of these presumptive diseases:
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Other undiagnosed illnesses, including but not limited to cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, and headaches.
Is Gulf War Syndrome a disability?
If you are a Gulf War veteran and later experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be eligible to receive veterans (VA) disability compensation for a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI) or an undiagnosed illness, both of which are included under the umbrella term “Gulf War Syndrome.”
Are there any symptoms of Gulf War syndrome?
Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), which is also known as ‘Desert Storm Diseases’ or simply ‘Gulf War Illness’, is a collection of symptoms reported by veterans (and civilians like press and government employees) of the first Gulf war since August 1990. Veterans from every country that made up the Coalition forces have been affected; in the US alone more
Are there any infectious diseases in the Gulf War?
One unique infectious disease has been linked to the Gulf war deployment: viscerotrophic leishmaniasis (1). This infectious disease has been found in 12 U.S. veterans but none of the other Coalition forces personnel. There is substantial evidence for mycoplasma infection playing a role in veterans illnesses.
What was the cause of the Gulf War?
Of cause many infectious agents may lie dormant without causing an acute illness. The most common infectious agents present were thought to be cutaneous leishmaniasis, travelers diarrhea, sandfly fever and malaria. One unique infectious disease has been linked to the Gulf war deployment: viscerotrophic leishmaniasis (1).