Gulf War-Related Illnesses

The VA presumes the following infectious diseases are related to military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the first Gulf War starting August 2, 1990, through the conflict in Iraq and on or after September 19, 2001, in Afghanistan.
Veterans must have the diseases within the time frames shown below and have a current disability as a result of that disease in order to receive disability compensation.

 

Malaria, an infectious disease caused by a parasite transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include chills, fever and sweats. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation or at a time when standard or accepted treatises indicate that the incubation period began during a qualifying period of military service.

 

Brucellosis, a bacterial disease with symptoms such as profuse sweating and joint and muscle pain. The illness may be chronic and persist for years. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.

 

Campylobacter Jejuni, a disease with symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.

 

Coxiella Burnetii also known as Q Fever, a bacterial disease with symptoms such as fever, severe headache and gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and diarrhea. In chronic cases, the illness may cause inflammation of the heart. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.

 

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, an illness that primarily affects the lungs and causes symptoms such as chest pain, persistent cough (sometimes bloody), weight loss and fever.

 

Nontyphoid Salmonella, a condition characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.

 

Shigella, a condition characterized by symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of the date of military separation.

 

Visceral Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease characterized by symptoms such as fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anemia. The condition may be fatal if left untreated.

 

West Nile Virus, a disease spread by mosquitoes characterized by symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain or weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. It must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation.

 

 

Veterans who have one of the above listed conditions may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits including a Gulf War Registry health exam, health care, vocational rehabilitation, home loans, education benefits and disability compensation for diseases related to their military service. Their dependents and survivors may also be eligible for benefits. Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Gulf War veterans who died as the result of illnesses related to Gulf War service may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation which is a benefit paid monthly if the veteran was totally disabled from service-connected conditions for certain lengths of time at the time of death. They also may be eligible for health care benefits under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, CHAMPVA. To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE/CHAMPUS. There also may be other benefits available such as education, home loan, etc. Contact Tarrant County Veteran Services at 817-531-5645 if you want to file disability compensation claim or any other claim with the VA.