Purpose of this Guide

  When people are injured on-the-job in civilian work, their employers may pay for related medical treatment and provide compensation.  If you are a veteran with injuries or disabilities incurred in the line of duty, you have earned the right to medical treatment and compensation for conditions connected to your service.  The VA provides this care and compensation after you are discharged.

  Common war injuries like Gulf War Illness (GWI)/Chronic Multi-symptom Illness (CMI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are difficult to diagnose.  GWI was not recognized by the scientific and medical communities for several years after the events which first caused it. 

  If you are an ill or injured veteran, this is your Guide to understanding GWI [including Undiagnosed Illness (UDX) and medically unexplained CMI's], Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and PTSD.  This guide focuses on what you need to know in order to file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for disability compensation benefits you have earned as a result of your injury during your service.

  Information on technical research was removed in order to focus on what you need to file a claim or to get help and support.  The research is found on the VA research site and on the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Center for Disease control (CDC) sites.  If you ever use any research in your claim, it cannot be from a pilot study.  Unfortunately, most of the CDMRP studies are pilot studies and cannot be used; the same is true for non-human studies.

Acknowledgments

  This updated guide is the result of months of reviewing changes in regulations and science regarding Gulf War Illness[1] and other conditions affecting veterans who served our country from 1990 to the present day, and turning that information into a reference that veterans and their advocates can use.  It is a core resource in our work to improve claims, medical treatment, and quality of life for these injured veterans.

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  The NGWRC thanks the following individuals and groups for their contributions to this guide:

COL (Ret) George Webb helped review and proofread this guide, among his many contributions to NGWRC.

William Ankenbauer, Jr., a retired DAV service officer and adviser to the NGWRC, provided invaluable insight and advice on how a veteran should develop his or her claim.  Bill is a graduate of the DAV school for National Service Officers.  He was one of the best service officers in Kansas that I trained with.

  Finally, we thank the National Veteran Legal Service Program and all of the past leaders of the NGWRC who worked previous editions of the Guide and performed some of the advocacy work that lead to veterans being able to receive care and benefits today that they could not get a few years ago.

Thank you one and all, 

James A. Bunker, Executive Director & VA Accredited Claims Agent.

ABOUT THE NGWRC

  Veterans and their families run the National Gulf War Resource Center (NGWRC).  We help veterans affected by the 'invisible' injuries most common in the current conflict period, from 1990 to the present day.  These injuries include Gulf War Illness (GWI)[2], Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

  We are among the most successful Veterans' Organizations in the United States advocating for veterans affected by GWI.  We formed shortly after the Persian Gulf War of 1991.  Our work has been critical in establishing the rights, treatments, and benefits to which these veterans now have access.  Yet our work is far from done.  GWI is still poorly understood and incurable.  While no longer in complete denial, the VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) often ignore recommendations from the scientific community that may lead to better treatment, and claims for VA benefits related to GWI are still difficult for veterans to file for, much less be granted, unless all of the proper evidence is in your claim. 

  The term 'Gulf War Veteran' refers to any veteran who served in Southwest Asia during Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and any other operations from August 1990 until the present day.  We work with veterans who have served since 1990 until today, no matter the Area of Operation.

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 NGWRC Core Values

1. Advocate tirelessly for veterans from Southwest Asia (SWA[3]) and their issues - We will promote media awareness and Congressional investigations to ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Gulf War review efforts are comprehensive, correct, and supportive of the SWA veteran.

2. Provide educational material and assistance to SWA Veterans, their VSOs, and families - We are committed to helping veterans improve their chances of receiving overdue compensation for their service-connected illnesses.  A key component of that commitment is producing and updating an Educational Guide that covers important topics such as medical research and legislative developments, organizations that support veterans of SWA, lessons learned, and assistance available from federal agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs.

3. Educate VA staff, legislators, and members of medical facilities on the complexities of Gulf War Illnesses - We serve the veteran by informing legislators of provisions needed to protect, treat, and compensate SWA Veterans, and we educate medical providers on the wide variety of symptoms and illnesses faced by SWA veterans.

4. Create a diverse, dynamic organizational membership dedicated to vital veteran issues - Gulf War Illness issues affect veteran, scientific, legal, family, and other constituents, as well as current and future service members.  To ensure adequate involvement and to prevent repetition of past mistakes, NGWRC solicits from all interested communities and constantly updates its website with relevant and useful information.

5. Review and analyze all relevant government and industry actions, policies, research efforts, and writings concerning Gulf War Era and future veterans' issues - We are committed to being a leader in understanding the complexities of Gulf War Illnesses by evaluating new concepts in treatment through collaborations with and in our organizational presence at the VA Research Advisory Committee meetings.  We will continue to create and implement progressive policies that maximize results for the veterans, increase public understanding, help create clear understanding of illness issues, and ensure the protection of future veterans.

6. Further comradeship among those who are or have been members of the Armed Forces of the United States.

The NGWRC has done much to bring Gulf War Veterans issues before Congress and the media, exposing Pentagon and VA policies that have severely impacted veterans and their families.  Our most valuable efforts have resulted in legislation that required research and service-connected disabilities for certain conditions associated with Gulf War service.  NGWRC does this with the grants and donations we receive from individuals and foundations.

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