Secretary Shinseki Marks 

20th Anniversary of Gulf War with 

Renewed Pledge to Improve Care and 

Services to Gulf War Veterans

August 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the 

beginning of the Gulf War, launched with Operation 

Desert Shield and followed by Operation Desert Storm. 

VA honors this milestone with a renewed commitment 

to improving our responsiveness to the challenges 

facing Gulf War Veterans.

First and foremost, VA is an advocate for Veterans — 

we are committed to finding innovative solutions to 

long standing issues and to empowering our Veterans 

and other stakeholders to be a part of the solution. 

(continued on page 2) 

Vol. 17, No. 1

INFORMATION FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN DESERT SHIELD/STORM AND THEIR FAMILIES

JULY 2010

Gulf War Review www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar

Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force 

Releases Draft Report

In March 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs 

(VA) Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVITF) issued the final draft of a comprehensive report 

that will redefine how VA addresses the concerns 

of Veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 

1990 and 1991. Public comments on the report were 

solicited through early May 2010 both in formal 

written response and via the Internet. A record 

number of comments were received and are now being 

considered. A final report is expected later in 2010. 

“Our mission at VA is to be advocates for Veterans,” 

said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki. 

“This report’s action plans provide a roadmap to 

transform the care and services we deliver to 

Gulf War Veterans. We must learn from the past 

and take the opportunity to anticipate the future 

needs of our Veterans.” 

(continued on page 9) 

VA Seeks to Cover New Illnesses for 

Gulf War Veterans

VA is streamlining the process by which Veterans may 

obtain disability compensation for certain diseases 

associated with service in the Gulf War and the 

conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In March 2010, VA published a proposed regulation in 

the Federal Register that will establish new presumptions 

of service-connection for nine specific infectious diseases 

associated with military service in Southwest Asia 

during the Gulf War from 1990 to the present; and in 

Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001. 

(continued on page 5)

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

News Briefs | Benefits and Care for Gulf War Veterans 3

New Hotline for Homeless Veterans 4

IOM Releases Report on Gulf War and Health 5

Comprehensive Health Care for Women Veterans 6

Free Gulf War Health Registry Evaluation 6

Health Conditions Recognized for Presumptive 

Service–Connection 7

Disability Compensation from VA 8

VA Begins to Implement Task Force Recommendations — 

New Veterans Health Initiative on Gulf War 9

Where to Get Help and Information 10

1
ABOUT THE “REVIEW”

The Gulf War Review is produced by VA’s 

Environmental Agents Service (EAS) to provide 

information on long-term health issues and 

other concerns of Operation Desert Shield and 

Operation Desert Storm Veterans, their families, 

and others. The Review provides updates on a 

wide range of VA programs and other Federal 

resources for Veterans. 

This is the 41st issue of the Gulf War Review 

newsletter. This issue was completed in July 2010, 

and does not include developments that occurred 

after that time. For past issues of the newsletter 

and related information, see the Web site 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar. 

Questions, comments, and suggestions for future 

issues are encouraged and can be sent to: 

Editor, Gulf War Review 

Environmental Agents Service (131) 

Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 

810 Vermont Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20420

Secretary Shinseki Marks 20th Anniversary 

of Gulf War with Renewed Pledge to Improve 

Care and Services to Gulf War Veterans

(continued from page 1) 

VA recognizes and values the selfless service and sacrifice 

of Gulf War Veterans and their families, and continues 

our efforts to address the unique health needs of this 

Veteran community.

Today, more than 250,000 Operations Desert Storm 

and Desert Shield Veterans receive disability benefits 

from VA. Nearly 150,000 Operations Desert Storm 

and Desert Shield Veterans have been treated by VA for 

illnesses associated with their military service. We vow to 

reach more of these Veterans and have taken aggressive 

steps to do so. Earlier this year, VA proposed a new rule 

to make it easier for our Gulf War-era Veterans to obtain 

disability compensation and related health care. This 

rule, once it takes effect, will grant presumptive serviceconnection for nine infectious diseases associated with 

military service in Southwest Asia and Afghanistan.

In addition, VA’s ongoing Gulf War research and other 

efforts continue to examine multisymptom illnesses, and 

other conditions associated with service in this conflict. 

VA also participates in Federal research efforts on Gulf 

War illnesses, contributing more than $158 million of 

the $406 million in total Federal commitment.

VA is taking bold steps forward in how we consider and 

address the challenges facing our Gulf War Veterans 

as well as the challenges facing all Veterans. Our 

commitment to the Nation’s Veterans is unwavering.

As your Secretary and a fellow 

Veteran, I pay tribute to all of 

you who so bravely served and 

thank all Gulf War Veterans 

for their heroic efforts. Our 

Nation owes you a debt of 

gratitude. We acknowledge 

and honor the contributions 

of your service. Thank you.

Secretary Eric K. Shinseki

2 Gulf War Review
NEwS BrIEfS | Benefits and Care for Gulf War Veterans

Health

NEW VA ENROLLMENT INFORMATION 

VA has updated regulations for Priority Group 8 

Veterans. These regulations may allow certain Priority 

Group 8 Veterans to enroll in VA’s health care system, 

even though they may have been denied in the past. 

VA’s Priority Group 8 includes Veterans who either have 

no service-connected disability or a zero percent disability 

rating, with incomes above specific thresholds based on 

family size. The new regulations may also affect Veterans 

who applied for health care on or after January 1, 2009, 

but were denied because their household income was 

higher than VA’s income limit. 

Veterans who fall within Priority Group 8 may qualify 

if their income does not go over VA’s income limit by 

more than 10 percent. This regulation went into effect on 

June 15, 2009. For more information about enrollment 

and to access a calculator to see if you qualify, visit: 

www.va.gov/healtheligibility or www4.va.gov/

healtheligibility/eligibility/PG8Relaxation.asp. If you 

have any questions, please call 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

Work and Home

FEDERAL JOBS FOR VETERANS

Information about employment opportunities for 

Veterans in the Federal government is available 

from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. 

The www.fedshirevets.gov Web site offers resources 

including: information on Veterans’ preference policies, 

how Federal jobs are filled, special hiring authorities for 

Veterans, education/training opportunities, and contact 

information for Veteran Employment Program Offices at 

various Federal agencies for openings across the country. 

For more information, go to www.fedshirevets.gov. 

For questions not answered on the Web site, Veterans 

may call 202-606-5090. 

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION’S (SBA) PATRIOT 

ExPRESS LOANS

Patriot Express is open to Veterans, Reserve and 

National Guard members, current spouses of eligible 

personnel, the surviving spouses of Servicemembers who 

died on active duty, and spouses of Veterans who die from 

a service-connected disability. The program can help those 

wanting to establish or expand a small business.

More information about the SBA program is available 

online at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress or by phone 

through the SBA Answer Desk at 1-800-U-ASK-SBA 

(1-800-827-5722). Inquiries may also be sent via e-mail 

to answerdesk@sba.gov.

VA HOME LOAN GUARANTY

A VA-guaranteed home 

loan offers Veterans a 

number of safeguards 

and advantages that 

may not be available 

to them in other home 

loans. For example, 

the interest rate is 

competitive with 

conventional rates 

with little or no down 

payment required. 

VA-guaranteed loans 

are made by private 

lenders, such as banks, savings and loan associations, 

and mortgage companies, but guaranteed by VA. 

As with any loan, applications must be made directly 

to the lender. A real estate broker can assist in finding a 

lender. To apply, ask your lender to obtain a certificate 

for you through VA’s secure Web site. For more 

information, including eligibility requirements, go to 

www.homeloans.va.gov or call 1-888-244-6711.

Education

VA EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR VETERANS

VA’s Education Service administers education assistance 

programs that provide benefits to qualified Veterans, 

Servicemembers, Reservists, and dependents. 

(continued on page 4) 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 3
News Briefs (continued from page 3) 

Current programs include:

 • Montgomery GI Bill—Active Duty (MGIB-AD) 

 • Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) 

 • Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

 • S urvivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance 

Program (DEA); and

 • Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Information about educational programs and the 

application process is available on the Internet at 

http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp or 

www.gibill.va.gov or via telephone at 

1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551).

FuNDING YOuR COllEGE EDuCATION—HElP FROM THE 

u.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDuCATION

Veterans who wish to begin or continue their education 

can find an excellent overview of Federal Student Aid 

Programs on the Department of Education’s Web 

site at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. This site covers 

Federal student aid eligibility, applying for assistance, 

Montgomery GI Bill benefits, and other important topics. 

For questions not addressed on the Web site, Veterans 

may call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 

TTY 1-800-730-8913.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is 

the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply 

for Federal student financial aid, such as Pell grants, 

student loans, and college work-study. Most states and 

schools use FAFSA information to award financial 

aid. For online instructions on how to complete the 

FAFSA, visit the Web site http://studentaid.ed.gov/

completefafsa and go to “Completing the FAFSA.” 

Application requirements for your state or schools may 

involve additional forms or paperwork.

If questions, issues, or problems arise that cannot be 

answered or resolved through traditional sources of Federal 

Student Aid customer service then Veterans may contact 

the Federal Student Aid Office of the Ombudsman. To 

contact the Ombudsman, visit www.ombudsman.ed.gov. 

The Web site provides information on many student loan 

topics, such as bankruptcy, default, disability, and more. 

Those without Internet access may call 1-877-557-2575

or 202-377-3800 to speak with the Ombudsman office 

in Washington, DC.

New Hotline for Homeless Veterans: 

1-877-4AID VET

HElPS VETERANS FIND FOOD, SHElTER, AND ASSISTANCE

VA’s National Call Center for Homeless Veterans 

launched a telephone hotline to provide support and 

resources to homeless Veterans in March 2010. 

Well-trained expert responders staff the 1-877-4AID VET

hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Family members, 

workers at community agencies, and non-VA providers also 

may call the hotline to find out about the many programs 

and services available to assist homeless Veterans.

“It is unacceptable for a single Veteran to spend the night 

on the streets of America,” said Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki. “The hotline will provide 

homeless Veterans with caring, timely assistance, and 

coordinated access to VA and community services.”

VA recognizes that homeless Veterans are in need of 

food and shelter, clothing, financial assistance, and 

treatment for medical conditions. Many also require 

access to permanent housing, Veterans benefits, and 

vocational resources.

In addition, assistance is available for homeless Veterans 

who may have substance abuse, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues.

The National Call Center for Homeless Veterans is 

part of a series of initiatives to help homeless Veterans. 

In 2009, VA launched a campaign to eliminate 

homelessness among Veterans within five years. VA 

supports this initiative with approximately 4,000 

agreements with community partners to help homeless 

Veterans. In 2009, more than 92,000 homeless Veterans 

were served by VA’s specialized homeless programs. 

For additional information about VA’s efforts to help homeless 

Veterans, go to www1.va.gov/homeless.

4 Gulf War Review
IOM Releases Report on Gulf War 

and Health

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National 

Academy of Sciences (NAS), an independent 

scientific review organization, released Gulf War 

and Health: Volume 8 in April 2010. 

The IOM report recommends 

that VA continue to monitor 

the health of both deployed 

and non-deployed Gulf War 

Veterans. In addition, it advises 

that VA should continue to 

conduct research to identify 

multisymptom illnesses among 

these Veterans and develop 

appropriate treatments.

As is required by law, VA has formed a task force to 

address the IOM report and make recommendations 

to the Secretary with respect to presumptions of 

service-connection. Upon completion of Secretary 

Shinseki’s review, VA will announce any new 

regulations based on the findings. The Secretary’s 

decision will also be announced at www.va.gov and 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar. 

This report builds on an earlier IOM report 

published in 2006. In 2008, IOM was asked to 

update the 2006 report by reviewing the literature 

for those conditions that appeared to occur at a 

higher rate in Veterans deployed to the Gulf War 

than non-deployed Gulf War-era Veterans. In 

addition, IOM reviewed studies on cause-specific 

mortality in Gulf War Veterans and examined the 

literature to identify any emerging health outcomes.

The recent report is available online at www.iom.edu/

Reports/2010/Gulf-War-and-Health-Volume-8-HealthEffects-of-Serving-in-the-Gulf-War.aspx.

VA Seeks to Cover New Illnesses for Gulf War 

Veterans (continued from page 1) 

With the proposed rule, a Veteran will have to show 

service in Southwest Asia or Afghanistan, and that 

they were diagnosed with the particular disease within 

the presumptive period to obtain service-connection 

for any one of the nine diseases. Most of these 

diseases would be diagnosed within one year of return 

from Southwest Asia, though some conditions may 

manifest at a later time. 

“We recognize the frustrations that many Gulf 

War and Afghanistan Veterans and their families 

experience on a daily basis as they look for answers 

to health questions, and seek benefits from VA,” 

said Secretary Shinseki. 

The proposed rule includes information about the 

long-term health effects potentially associated with 

nine infectious diseases: Brucellosis, Campylobacter 

jejuni, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), malaria, 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Nontyphoid Salmonella, 

Shigella, Visceral leishmaniasis, and West Nile virus. 

Presently under the law, a Veteran is required 

to establish through medical evidence an actual 

connection between military service in Southwest 

Asia or in Afghanistan, and any one of these diseases. 

“By setting up scientifically based presumptive serviceconnection, we give these deserving Veterans an easier 

way to get the benefits they have earned in service to 

our country,”said Secretary Shinseki. 

After the required comment and review period, a final 

regulation will be published. An announcement of 

the final regulation is expected in fall 2010. 

For more information about health problems associated 

with military service during Operations Desert Shield 

and Desert Storm, as well information about disability 

compensation and other VA benefits, go to 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar.

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 5
Comprehensive Health Care for 

Women Veterans

YOu SERVED, YOu DESERVE THE BEST CARE ANYWHERE

As the frontlines of battle and the rules of warfare have 

changed dramatically in the last 50 years, so has the face 

of the U.S. military and Veterans. Today’s women soldiers 

are tomorrow’s women Veterans. 

VA now treats more women Veterans than ever, while 

getting ready for even more in the coming years. The 

number of women Veterans using VA care is expected 

to double over the next two to five years. 

VA is committed to providing a comprehensive approach 

to women Veterans, to include primary care, preventive 

care screenings for breast and cervical cancer, genderspecific mental health care, and beyond. In addition, 

VA strives for excellence in meeting the unique needs of 

women Veterans who are over age 55, and is prepared to 

address health issues such as high risk for heart disease, 

cancers, and obesity-related issues such as diabetes. 

To better serve women Veterans’ needs, VA is launching a 

number of programs to address provider education and has 

increased access through clinic enhancements and home 

tele-health, the development and improvement of diagnostic services including laboratory and mammography, and 

created a system-wide focus on continuity of care. 

Meeting women’s health care needs starts at the nearest 

VA Medical Center (VAMC). VA knows women’s health 

issues and each VA hospital has a Women Veterans 

Program Manager, who is there to help provide the 

quality care women Veterans need and deserve. 

Contact the Women Veterans Program Manager at any 

VAMC or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) to find the 

nearest VA facility. Learn more about Women Veterans 

Health Care online at www.publichealth.va.gov/

womenshealth.

Free Gulf War Health Registry 

Evaluation

VA maintains a health registry evaluation program to 

track the health of Veterans exposed to environmental 

hazards during military service. Gulf War and 

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) exposures may include 

pesticides; infectious diseases; chemical and biological 

warfare agents; oil well fires; and depleted uranium.

If you think you have been exposed to environmental 

hazards during military service and would like an 

evaluation, contact an Environmental Health (EH) 

Coordinator at your local VA Medical Center. 

A listing of EH Coordinators is available online at 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/eh_coordinators.

asp. Information is also available through the VA 

special health issues helpline at 1-800-749-8387.

The health registry evaluation is available free of 

charge to all eligible Veterans. Veterans do not need 

to be enrolled in VA health care to be eligible. The 

evaluation provides Veterans with: 

 • A free specialized health evaluation

 • Answers to questions about environmental 

exposures

 • Information on health care and other VA benefits

 • Test results shared and maintained in VA 

medical records 

Note: A health registry evaluation or exam is not a claim 

for VA benefits.

GULf wAr HEALTH rEGISTrY 

STATISTICS (as of March 2010)*

INITIAL ExAMINATIONS: 116,628

FOLLOW-UP ExAMINATIONS: 6,896

TOTAL (INITIAL & FOLLOW-UP): 123,524

*These numbers reflect examinations of Veterans of the 

1990-1991 Gulf War and of Veterans of Operation Iraqi 

Freedom. (Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans are not 

eligible for the Gulf War Registry health examination.)

6 Gulf War Review
Health Conditions Recognized for Presumptive Service-Connection

The information below has been updated as of July 2010. 

For additional updates, visit www.publichealth.va.gov/

exposures/GulfWar. 

Presumptive service-connection means that VA 

acknowledges that a condition is service-connected even 

without direct evidence showing that it was incurred 

during military service. However, claims must still be 

filed by these Veterans to be considered for disability 

compensation. VA encourages Veterans with these 

conditions to apply for VA disability compensation. 

lIST OF PROPOSED* CONDITIONS RECOGNIzED 

FOR PRESuMPTIVE SERVICE-CONNECTION FOR 

GulF WAR VETERANS 

*In March 2010, VA proposed new regulations stating 

that Veterans who served in the Gulf War and have 

one or more of these conditions are presumed serviceconnected. When the final regulations are published 

later in 2010, VA will process filed claims and pay 

compensation at the appropriate level.

Note: With three exceptions, the condition must have become 

manifest to a degree of 10% or more within 1 year from the 

date of military separation. 

• M alaria must have become manifest to a degree of 10% or 

more within 1 year from the date of separation or at a time 

when standard or accepted treatises indicate that the incubation 

period commenced during a qualifying period of service. 

• There is no time limit for visceral leishmaniasis to have 

become manifest to a degree of 10% or more.

• Ther e is no time limit for mycobacterium tuberculosis to 

have become manifest to a degree of 10% or more.

Brucellosis*: A bacterial disease with symptoms such 

as profuse sweating and joint and muscle pain. The 

illness may be chronic and persist for years.

Campylobacter jejuni*: A disease with symptoms 

such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fever.

Coxiella burnetii (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.

Malaria*: An infectious disease caused by a parasite. 

Symptoms include chills, fever, and sweats.

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.

Shigella*: A condition characterized by symptoms 

such as fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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.

lIST OF CuRRENT CONDITIONS RECOGNIzED 

FOR PRESuMPTIVE SERVICE-CONNECTION FOR 

GulF WAR VETERANS 

Chronic fatigue syndrome: A condition of 

prolonged and severe tiredness that is not relieved by 

rest and is not directly caused by other conditions.

Fibromyalgia: A common condition characterized by 

long-term, body-wide pain, and tender points in joints, 

muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A common 

disorder that affects the intestines (colon) and causes 

cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, 

and constipation.

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 7
Disability Compensation from VA

Like other Veterans, Gulf War Veterans with serviceconnected illnesses or injuries may be eligible for 

monthly payments called disability compensation. 

The disability must have been incurred or aggravated 

during active military service. Furthermore, the 

mili tary service of the Veteran must have been 

terminated through separation or discharge under 

conditions that were other than dishonorable.

Disability compensation varies according to the degree of 

disability and the number of dependents. Benefits are not 

subject to Federal or state income tax. Receipt of military 

retirement pay, disability severance pay, and separation 

incentive payments, known as SSB and VSI (Special 

Separation Benefits and Voluntary Separation Incentives), 

may affect the amount of VA compensation paid.

Disability ratings range from 0 to 100 percent (in 

increments of 10 percent). For example, in 2010, a 

Veteran with a disability rating of 10 percent receives 

$123 per month; a Veteran with disability rating of 

50 percent gets $770 per month; and a Veteran with 

no dependents who is totally disabled and evaluated at 

100 percent receives $2,673 monthly.

Veterans with disability ratings between 30 and 100 percent 

also may be eligible for monthly allowances for eligible 

dependents. (The amount depends on the disability rating).

A Veteran who is in need of regular aid and attendance 

of another person (including the Veteran’s spouse), or 

who is permanently housebound may be entitled to 

additional benefits. VA must make that determination 

before the Veteran can receive these benefits.

Veterans can apply for VA disability benefits by 

completing and submitting VA Form 21-256, Veterans 

Application for Compensation and Pension. If you 

have any of the following materials, please attach them 

to the application:

 • D ischarge or separation papers (DD-214 or 

equivalent).

 • Dependency records (marriage and children’s birth 

certificates).

 • M edical evidence (doctor and hospital reports).

You can also apply online through VA’s Web site at 

http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp.

Other Benefits: In addition to the disability 

compensation program, individual Veterans may be 

eligible for the full range of other benefits offered 

by VA, including education and training, vocational 

rehabilitation, home loan guaranties, life insurance, 

pension, burial benefits, and more. To learn more go 

to www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.

MONTHLY DISABILITY 

COMpENSATION rATES fOr 2010:

Percent 

Disabled 

No 

Dependents 

Veteran &

Spouse

10% $123 —

20% $243 —

30% $376 $421

40% $541 $601

50% $770 $845

60% $974 $1,064

70% $1,228 $1,333

80% $1,427 $1,547

90% $1,604 $1,739

100% $2,673 $2,823

8 Gulf War Review
Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force Releases 

Draft Report (continued from page 1) 

Of the almost 700,000 total Servicemembers who deployed 

to Operation Desert Shield in 1990 and Operation Desert 

Storm in 1991, more than 300,000 have filed disability 

claims, over 85 percent of which have been granted serviceconnection for at least one condition.

The mission of the GWVI-TF is to identify gaps 

in services as well as opportunities to better serve 

Veterans of the Gulf War. Some of the Task Force 

recommendations include:

 • Improve the delivery of benefits to Veterans with 

Gulf War-related disabilities 

 • E xpand training for VA benefit examiners on 

how to administer disability claims with multiple 

known toxin exposure incidents

 • F ind new treatments for Gulf War Veterans 

through new research

 • Enhance outreach to provide information and 

guidance to Veterans about benefits and services 

available to them for injuries/illnesses associated 

with Gulf War service

 • Improve VA health care for Veterans through a 

new model of interdisciplinary health education 

and training (see story below)

 • Increase number of long-term, Veteran-focused 

s tudies of Veterans to enhance the quality of care 

VA provides

 • Transition from reactive to proactive medical 

surveillance to help better manage Veterans’ potential 

hazardous exposures.

The Chairman of the GWVI-TF, John R. Gingrich, Chief 

of Staff at VA and a Gulf War Veteran, states “Reaching 

out to Gulf War Veterans is not only essential to our 

transformation of VA, for many of us it is also personal. 

Having commanded troops in the Gulf War, and then 

knowing that some of these brave men and women have 

fallen to mysterious illnesses has been both a frustrating 

and saddening experience. We now have an opportunity 

to do something about this situation — with this Task 

Force, I know that we will improve the care and services 

these Veterans have earned.”

The GWVI-TF recommendations build on the excellent 

work and findings of The Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses 

Advisory Committee, VA Research Advisory Committee 

on Gulf War Illnesses, the interagency Deployment 

Health Working Group, and other related sources. 

The report is available on VA’s Web site at www1.va.gov/opa/

vadocs/gwvi_draft_report.pdf. 

VA Begins to Implement Task Force Recommendations —

New Veterans Health Initiative on Gulf War

A part of the Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force 

report included a recommendation to improve VA’s 

training of clinicians in illnesses and conditions 

particular to Gulf War Veterans.

To this end, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 

has taken two major initiatives to support this piece of 

the Task Force recommendations.

The first is the complete overhaul of the Veterans 

Health Initiative training program, starting with the 

volume on Gulf War. The new clinical training program 

was completely redesigned with a new volume called 

“Caring for Gulf War Veterans.” 

The program is composed of nine sections that VA 

clinicians can take; these sections include: The Gulf 

War from a Veteran’s Perspective; Exposures of 

Concern to Gulf War Veterans; Undiagnosed and 

Unexplained Illness; Disability Compensation for 

Gulf War Veterans; Gender-specific Issues; and How 

to Take a Good Exposure History; among others. 

It is anticipated that this new training program will 

be accessible to clinicians by fall of 2010.

The second initiative is the presentation of several 

seminars around the country on various exposure 

incidents and concerns of Gulf War and Operations 

Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) 

Veterans, as these conflicts have several exposure-related 

concerns in common. These seminars will begin in 2010 

and are intended to improve VA staff’s understanding of 

these issues in order to help them provide optimal care 

for Gulf War and OIF/OEF Veterans. 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 9
Where to Get Help and Information

Gulf war

Information

Helpline

1-800-749-8387 VA Benefits 

Information 1-800-827-1000

Gulf war 

Veterans 

web Site

www.publichealth.va.gov/

exposures/GulfWar

Nearest VA 

Medical 

Center

www.va.gov/directory

General information resources for Gulf War Veterans 

include:

• The VA Gulf War Information Helpline at 

1-800-PGW-VETS (1-800-749-8387) 

• Th e Web site www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/

GulfWar for information on Gulf War Veteran 

health care and other benefits 

Veterans with health concerns may reach the nearest VA 

Medical Center (VAMC) in any of the following ways:

• Go to www.va.gov/directory to locate the 

nearest VAMC 

• Call the VAMC number listed in any local telephone 

directory under Department of Veterans Affairs in 

the “U.S. Government” listings 

The VAMCs offer medical care and may provide a 

Gulf War registry examination for Operation Desert 

Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans 

upon request. 

Gulf War Veterans seeking disability compensation for 

illnesses incurred in or aggravated by military service can 

use any of the following resources:

• Contact a Veterans Benefits Counselor at the 

nearest VA Regional Office or health care facility at 

1-800-827-1000

• Submit claims online at 

http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp

• Call the VA Gulf War Information Helpline at 

1-800-PGW-VETS (1-800-749-8387)

Gulf War Veterans interested in learning about the wide 

range of benefit programs administered by VA may:

• Contact a Veterans Benefits Counselor at the 

nearest VA regional office or health care facility at 

1-800-827-1000

• Call the VA Gulf War Information Helpline at 

1-800-PGW-VETS (1-800-749-8387)

Representatives of Veterans Service Organizations, 

including the American Legion (1-800-433-3318), 

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (1-800-

VFW-1899 or 1-800-839-1899), Disabled American 

Veterans (1-877-426-2838), and others have been 

very helpful to Gulf War Veterans. The organizations 

mentioned here are examples; there are many other 

excellent organizations and VA does not endorse or 

recom mend any one group over another. For a full list, 

visit www.va.gov/vso. State and County Veterans Service 

Officers can also be of great help to Veterans. 

For additional Federal benefit information, see VA’s 

“Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors” 

booklet. This booklet, updated annually to reflect changes 

in law and policies, is available at www.va.gov/opa/Is1. 

It also may be purchased from the U.S. Government 

Printing Office at the Web site http://bookstore.gpo.gov

or by mail: 

U.S. Government Printing Office 

Superintendent of Documents 

Washington, DC 20402

Visit www.va.gov for the most current information on 

compensation and pension benefits, health care benefits 

and services, burial and memorial benefits, and other areas.

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INFORMATION FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN 

DESERT SHIELD/STORM AND THEIR FAMILIES

JULY 2010

Gulf War Review Department of 

Veterans Affairs

Gulf War Review

AITC (32B)

1615 Woodward Street

Austin, TX 78772-0001

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Gulf War Review