Thousands of Gulf War veterans have developed chronic symptoms ranging from headaches and indigestion to dizziness, memory problems, and gastrointestinal disorders. The VA refers to these medically unexplained conditions as “chronic multi-symptom illness” or “undiagnosed illnesses.”
Gulf War veterans diagnosed with one of the following conditions do not need to prove a connection between the illness and their military service.
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Abdominal pain syndrome
- Functional dyspepsia
- Functional dysphagia
- Undiagnosed illnesses: abnormal weight loss, cardiovascular disease, headache, fatigue, sleep disturbances, muscle and joint pain, neurological and psychological problems, menstrual disorders, respiratory illnesses, and skin disorders.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis after 90 days or more continuous active military service
Disability claims for Gulf War Syndrome can be complicated without the benefit of experienced legal counsel. The VA denies up to 80 percent of claims filed by Gulf War veterans who cite both undiagnosed illness and chronic multi-symptom illness.
