VA Disability
for Gulf War
Illnesses
Do you suffer from Gulf War Syndrome?
We can help you get the benefits you deserve
- Written By Attorney Troy Bouk
If you have an illness or other health condition that’s connected to your military service in the Gulf War from 1990 to now, you may be eligible. This includes in-service in Iraq, Afghanistan, and certain other areas.
FAQs about VA Disability Benefits Linked to Gulf War Service...
Understanding Gulf War Toxic Exposures in Veterans
During the Gulf War and subsequent deployments to Southwest Asia, many veterans were exposed to a mix of environmental hazards and toxic substances. These exposures were often unavoidable—burning oil wells, pesticide use, chemical weapon alerts, depleted uranium munitions, and contaminated food or water were part of the operational environment.
Many Gulf War veterans began experiencing chronic, unexplained symptoms after returning home, a cluster often referred to as Gulf War Illness. Yet even today, the VA often struggles to connect these illnesses to service, leaving many veterans fighting for benefits.
If you served in the Gulf region and are now living with persistent health issues, you are not alone—and you deserve recognition.
Connect with Experts
Do I qualify for Gulf War disability benefits from the VA?
To qualify for compensation each of the following must be true:
- You served in a recognized location during a qualifying time-period, and
- You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
- You have an illness or other health condition that’s connected to your service, and You meet any applicable timing requirements for when a health care provider diagnosed you with the condition
What are presumptive conditions for Gulf War Veterans?
For many health conditions that develop after your service you are required to prove that your military service caused your condition. However, for some conditions, the VA automatically presumes that your service caused your condition. Such conditions are referred to as “presumptive conditions”.
How are the presumptive conditions categorized by the VA?
The VA has categorized the presumptive conditions into three groups:
- Undiagnosed illnesses
- Infectious diseases diagnosed within 1 year of separation
- Infectious diseases diagnosed any time after separation
Each of the above three groups have specific recognized locations where you must have served in order to get the benefit of the presumption.
What “undiagnosed illnesses” qualify as presumptive conditions?
The VA considers the following undiagnosed illnesses presumptive if you served in a recognized location, a health care provider diagnosed you while you were on active duty or at any time after separation, and you have been ill for at least 6 months:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders
- Medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness
- Other undiagnosed illnesses, such as cardiovascular signs and symptoms, muscle and joint pain, and headaches
What are the recognized Gulf War presumptive locations for “undiagnosed illnesses”?
If you served in any of these locations on or after August 2, 1990, the VA presumes your undiagnosed illness is associated with your service:
- Afghanistan (airspace not included)
- Bahrain
- Egypt (airspace not included)
- Iraq
- Israel (airspace not included)
- Jordan (airspace not included)
- Kuwait
- Neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria (airspace not included)
- Turkey (airspace not included)
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- The waters of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
Note: The airspace above all of the countries and locations listed in this section is recognized, unless specified that it’s not included.
The following “Infectious diseases” qualify as presumptive conditions if diagnosed within 1 year of service
The VA considers these infectious diseases presumptive if you served in a recognized location and a health care provider diagnosed you within 1 year of separation:
- Brucellosis
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Coxiella burnetii (Q fever)
- Malaria (or sooner in some cases)
- Nontyphoid salmonella
- Shigella
- West Nile virus
The following “Infectious diseases” qualify as presumptive conditions if diagnosed any time after separation
The VA consider these infectious diseases presumptive if a health care provider diagnosed you any time after separation:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Visceral leishmaniasis
What are the recognized Gulf War locations for infectious disease presumptive conditions?
If you served in any of these locations on or after August 2, 1990, we presume your infectious disease is associated with your service:
- Afghanistan (airspace not included and only service after September 19, 2001)
- Bahrain
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- The waters of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea
Note: The airspace above all of the countries and locations listed in this section is recognized, unless specified that it’s not included.
What types of Toxic Exposures were Gulf War Veterans exposed to?
Veterans deployed to Southwest Asia (including Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and surrounding areas) or Afghanistan may have been exposed to:
- Oil Well Fires:
- Thick smoke containing harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and particulates.
- Pesticides and Insect Repellents:
- Heavy use of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, some of which are neurotoxic.
- Depleted Uranium:
- Used in armor-piercing munitions, with potential for long-term radiation and heavy metal exposure.
- Chemical Weapons Exposure:
- Low-level exposure to nerve agents like sarin during demolition operations or chemical alarms.
- Contaminated Water or Food:
- Exposure to bacteria, toxins, or chemical contaminants.
- Burn Pits:
- Early use of open-air burn pits to dispose of waste during Gulf operations.
These exposures are now understood to contribute to a wide range of chronic illnesses.
How the VA Rates Gulf War Toxic Exposure Conditions
The VA has created special rules for Gulf War veterans, recognizing:
- Undiagnosed Illnesses:
- Veterans experiencing chronic symptoms without a clear diagnosis may still qualify for compensation.
- Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses (MUCMI):
- Including conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and functional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., IBS).
The VA rates these conditions based on:
- Severity and impact on daily functioning (work, self-care, social life).
- Frequency and duration of flare-ups.
- Secondary complications like depression, migraines, or cardiovascular issues may be rated separately.
Common Symptoms of Gulf War-Related Illnesses in Veterans
Veterans affected by toxic exposures during the Gulf War often experience:
- Chronic fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Widespread muscle and joint pain
- Persistent digestive issues (diarrhea, constipation, IBS)
- Memory problems, concentration difficulties (“brain fog”)
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- Breathing problems (chronic cough, asthma-like symptoms)
- Rashes or other unexplained skin conditions
- Mood disturbances (depression, anxiety)
These symptoms may develop months or even years after service, and they often persist or worsen over time.
Why Gulf War Toxic Exposure Claims Get Denied
VA claims related to Gulf War toxic exposures are often denied because:
- Symptoms don’t fit a clear diagnosis. The VA often struggles to rate “undiagnosed illnesses” without thorough evidence.
- The service connection is questioned. The VA may argue that chronic symptoms are unrelated to service, particularly when there are gaps in treatment records.
- Inconsistent medical documentation. Veterans without detailed symptom histories may find the VA minimizes or misunderstands their condition.
Without strong documentation linking symptoms to Gulf War service, claims can be underrated or denied entirely.
How We Help Veterans With Gulf War Toxic Exposure Claims
Gulf War toxic exposure claims are complex—but they aren’t impossible to win with the right strategy.
We help you throughout the entire process, our firm makes sure to:
- Gather deployment histories, medical records, buddy statements, and expert opinions to prove your case.
- Show how your symptoms fit the VA’s criteria for undiagnosed illnesses or MUCMI.
- Ensure secondary conditions (like depression or cardiovascular issues) are properly included in your claim.
If you are suffering from one of the above undiagnosed conditions or infectious diseases, we will work with you to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.
