1

Gulf War Review

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

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar

Vol. 16, No. 1 AUGUST 2009

Shinseki Sworn In, Vows 21st Century 

Service to Veterans

Retired Army General Eric K. Shinseki took the 

oath of office January 21, 2009, as the Nation’s 

seventh Secretary of Veterans Affairs, assuming the 

leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

following confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

“The overriding challenge I am addressing from 

my first day in office is to make the Department of 

Veterans Affairs a 21st Century organization focused 

on the Nation’s Veterans as its clients,” Shinseki said.

Shinseki plans to develop a 2010 budget that realizes 

the vision of President Obama, to transform VA into 

an organization that is people-centric, results-driven 

and forward-looking.

Key issues on the Secretary’s agenda include smooth 

activation of an enhanced GI Bill education benefit 

that eligible Veterans can begin using next fall, streamlining the disability claims system, leveraging information technology 

to accelerate and 

modernize services, and opening VA’s health 

care system to 

Veterans previously unable 

to enroll in it, 

while facilitating access for 

returning Iraq 

and Afghanistan 

Veterans. 

(continued 

on page 2)

A Message to Veterans from Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs, Eric “Ric” Shinseki

Fellow Veterans,

My name is Ric Shinseki, and I am a Veteran. For 

me, serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a noble 

calling. It provides me the opportunity to give back to 

those who served with and for me during my 38 years 

in uniform and those on whose shoulders we all stood 

as we grew up in the profession of arms. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs has a solemn 

responsibility to all of you, today and in the future, 

as more Veterans join our ranks and enroll to secure 

the benefits and services they have earned. 

(continued on page 2)

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

VA Committee Releases Report on Research 

Related to Gulf War Veterans’ Health; 

Institute of Medicine to Review 3

VA Establishes ALS as a Presumptive 

Compensable Illness; Cites Association Between 

Military Service and Development of ALS 4

Gulf War Health Registry Statistics 

(as of July 1, 2009) 4

Have You Had Your Gulf War Registry 

Health Examination? 5

VA Helps Vets Address Mortgage Problems, 

Has a “Solid Record of Success” 5

Conditions Automatically Recognized for 

Service Connection 6

How to Apply for VA Disability Compensation 6

What’s New? Gulf War Veteran Benefits and 

Care: Current and New Programs 7

Additional Help and Information 10

Secretary of Veterans Affairs About the “Review” 11

Eric K. Shinseki
2 Gulf War Review

Shinseki Sworn In, Vows 21st Century 

Service to Veterans (continued from page 1)

Shinseki, a former Army Chief of Staff, takes the 

reins of a 284,000-employee organization delivering 

Federal benefits to millions of Veterans and their 

families, under a $98 billion budget authorized 

this year. VA is the second largest of the 15 Cabinet 

departments and operates nationwide programs for 

health care, financial assistance and burial benefits 

through networks of health care facilities, regional 

benefits offices and cemeteries from coast to coast.

Born in 1942 on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, the 

Secretary graduated from the U.S. Military Academy 

at West Point in 1965. He served two combat tours 

and was wounded in action in Vietnam. He served 

with distinction in Europe, the Pacific and stateside, 

eventually becoming the Army’s senior leader from 

June 1999 to June 2003.

Retired from military service in August 2003, 

Shinseki’s military decorations include three Bronze 

Stars and two Purple Hearts.

Shinseki succeeds Dr. James B. Peake.

A Message to Veterans from Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs, Eric “Ric” Shinseki 

(continued from page 1)

I am committed to transforming our department 

so that it will be well-positioned to perform this duty 

even better during the 21st Century. We welcome 

the assistance and advice of our Veterans Service 

Organizations, other government departments and 

agencies, Congress, and all VA stakeholders as we 

move forward, ethically and transparently, so that 

Veterans and citizens can understand our efforts. 

Creating that vision for transforming the VA into a 

21st Century organization requires a comprehensive 

review of our department. We approach that review 

understanding that Veterans are central to everything 

VA does. We know that results count, that the department will be measured by what we do, not what we 

promise, and that our best days as an organization 

supporting Veterans are ahead of us. We will fulfill 

President Lincoln’s charge to care for Veterans and 

their families by redesigning and reengineering 

ourselves for the future.

Transforming any institution is supremely challenging; I know this from my own experience in leading 

large, proud, complex, and high-performing organizations through change. But the best organizations must 

be prepared to meet the challenging times, evolving 

technology and, most importantly, evolving needs of 

clients. Historically, organizations that are unwilling 

or unable to change soon find themselves irrelevant. 

You and your needs are not irrelevant. 

Veterans are our clients, and delivering the highest quality care and services in a timely, consistent 

and fair manner is a VA responsibility. I take that 

responsibility seriously and have charged all of the 

department’s employees for their best efforts and 

support everyday to meet our obligations to you. Our 

path forward is challenging, but the President and 

Congress support us. They have asked us to do this 

well—for you. 

Veterans are our sole reason for existence and our 

number one priority—bar none. I look forward to 

working together with all VA employees to transform 

our department into an organization that reflects the 

change and commitment our country expects and 

our Veterans deserve. 

Thank you and God bless our military, our Veterans, 

and our Nation.
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 3

The full report can be accessed online at http://www1.va.gov/rac-gwvi/docs/GWIandHealthofGWVeterans_RAC-GWVIReport_2008.pdf

On November 17, 2008 the Research Advisory Committee on 

Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses presented a comprehensive report, 

Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans, to the 

Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 

VA Committee Releases Report 

on Research Related to Gulf War 

Veterans’ Health

Institute of Medicine to Review

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has 

received a copy of the latest report on the health 

of Gulf War Veterans from the Research Advisory 

Committee (RAC) on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses 

(GWVI). The RAC was created to advise and provide 

recommendations to VA concerning proposed 

research studies, plans, and strategies on health 

issues related to Gulf War service. 

The report identified potential causes for—and 

asserted that research supports the existence of—a 

multisymptom condition resulting from service in 

the 1990-1991 Gulf War, which the committee 

identified as “Gulf War Illness.”

In November 2008, VA requested that the National 

Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) 

explain discrepancies between findings contained in 

nine congressional mandated IOM committee reports 

on Gulf War health issues completed since 1998, and 

the October 2008 report released by the RACGWVI. 

As a result of these discussions with IOM, an invitation was issued and members of the RAC presented 

their key findings and the background for those findings on April 14, 2009, as part of the next IOM Gulf 

War literature review. The IOM committee’s formal 

report is due February 2010.

VA has long recognized conditions of, granted 

benefits to, and provided health care for Gulf War 

Veterans suffering from a broad range of symptoms, 

even though these conditions have not been scientifically recognized as a specific disease, injury, or illness. 

These conditions include chronic fatigue, persistent 

rashes, hair loss, headaches, muscle pain, joint 

pain, neurological symptoms, neuropsychological 

symptoms (such as memory loss), respiratory system 

symptoms, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, abnormal weight loss, 

and menstrual disorders. 

“I appreciate the committee’s work on this report, 

and I am eager to see the results of further independent study into their findings,” former Secretary of 

Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake said at the time 

of the report’s release. “Of course, VA will continue to 

provide the care and benefits our Gulf War Veterans 

have earned through their service, as we have for more 

than a decade.” 

An extensive list of Gulf War Veterans benefits and 

care is provided in this issue.
4 Gulf War Review

VA Establishes ALS as a Presumptive 

Compensable Illness 

Cites Association Between Military 

Service and Development of ALS

Veterans with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) 

may receive urgently-needed support for themselves 

and their families after the Department of Veterans 

Affairs (VA) announced that ALS will become a presumptively compensable illness for all Veterans with 

90 days or more of continuously active service 

in the military.

“Veterans are developing ALS in rates higher than 

the general population, and it was appropriate to take 

action,” former VA Secretary Peake said.

The former Secretary based his decision primarily 

on a November 2006 IOM report on the association 

between active-duty service and ALS.

“We are extremely grateful to Secretary Peake, 

Congressman Henry Brown and Senator Lindsey 

Graham for standing on the side of Veterans with ALS 

across the country,” said Gary Leo, president and CEO 

of The ALS Association. “Thanks to their leadership, 

Veterans with ALS will receive the benefits and care 

they need, when they need them. Thanks to their 

efforts, no Veteran with ALS will ever be left behind.”

The IOM report, titled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 

in Veterans: Review of the Scientific Literature, analyzed 

scientific and medical studies on the issue and concluded “there is limited and suggestive evidence of 

an association between military service and later 

development of ALS.”

“ALS is a disease that progresses rapidly, once it is 

diagnosed,” the former Secretary explained. “There 

simply isn’t time to develop the evidence needed to 

support compensation claims before many Veterans 

become seriously ill. My decision will make those 

claims much easier to process, and for them and 

their families to receive the compensation they have 

earned through their service to our nation.”

ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease—a neuromuscular disease that affects about 20,000 to 30,000 

people of all races and ethnicities in the United 

States—is generally relentlessly progressive and is 

almost always fatal.

ALS causes degeneration of nerve cells in the 

brain and spinal cord that leads to muscle weakness, 

muscle atrophy, and spontaneous muscle activity. 

Currently, the cause of ALS is unknown, and there 

is no effective treatment.

The new interim final regulation applies to all 

applications for benefits received by VA on or 

after September 23, 2008, or that are pending 

before VA, the United States Court of Appeals 

for Veterans Claims, or the United States Court 

of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on that date.

VA will identify and contact Veterans with ALS, 

including those whose claims for ALS were previously 

denied, through direct mailings and other outreach 

programs.

For more information on VA’s disability compensation program, 

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

GULF WAR HEALTH REGISTRY 

STATISTICS (as of July 1, 2009)*

INITIAL EXAMINATIONS: 112,515

FOLLOW UP EXAMINATIONS: 6,531

TOTAL (INITIAL & FOLLOW-UP): 119,046

*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.)
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 5

Have You Had Your Gulf War Registry 

Health Examination?

If you are a Veteran who served on active military 

duty in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War from 

1990 to the present, including Operation Iraqi 

Freedom, you are eligible for a Gulf War Registry 

Examination. Military duty covered includes service 

in one of the following areas:

	 •	 Iraq

	 •	The Neutral Zone (between Iraq and Saudi Arabia)

	 •	Saudi Arabia

	 •	Kuwait

	 •	Qatar

	 •	The United Arab Emirates

	 •	Oman

	 •	Gulf of Oman

	 •	Gulf of Aden

	 •	Waters of the Persian Gulf,

 Arabian Sea and Red Sea.

A health registry examination is a personalized and 

comprehensive examination which includes blood 

work, urinalysis, and, where medically indicated, a 

chest x-ray and EKG.

This examination is available to all eligible Veterans 

with no copayment requirement. This health registry 

examination provides an opportunity to enroll in the 

VA health care system. However, Veterans do not have 

to enroll to receive this registry examination. Veterans 

also automatically receive or have access to VA’s 

newsletters with updates or special information 

on health care and other benefits for them.

The demographic information (personal details), 

exposures, reported symptoms, and diagnoses are all 

maintained in a computerized index or list of Veterans 

located at the Corporate Franchise Data (CFD) 

Center (formerly Austin Automation Center (AAC) 

in Austin, Texas.

Note: A Gulf War Health Registry Examination 

is not a claim, nor is it required, for VA benefits 

or compensation.

Following the examination, the results of the physical 

examination and laboratory tests are provided to the 

Veteran both face to face and in a followup letter. 

Also, the results of this examination are maintained 

in the Veteran’s medical record.

In addition to the Gulf War Health Registry 

Examination, if you have been identified as having 

possible Depleted Uranium (DU) exposure during 

you military service in the Gulf War or you have 

concerns about potential exposure to DU, you may 

request a DU evaluation. This evaluation involves 

urine testing.

The following Web link can provide Veterans with 

a great deal of information on registries and many 

related topics: www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures.

VA also provides several hotlines and contact numbers 

for Veterans covering the Gulf War Health Registry 

Programs and other topics.

VA’s national toll-free telephone number, staffed by Veteran 

service representatives, provides information about disability 

compensation benefits as well as vocational rehabilitation and 

education programs available to Veterans: 1-800-827-1000.

The Special Health Issues Helpline is also a source of valuable 

information for Gulf War Veterans: 1-800-749-8387.

For VA Health Eligibility/Enrollment: 1-877-222-8387.

VA Helps Vets Address Mortgage 

Problems

Has a “Solid Record of Success” 

Many homeowners have found it difficult recently 

to pay their mortgages, but quick intervention by loan 

counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 

has reduced the number of Veterans defaulting on 

their home loans.

“VA is reaching out to Veterans—both those who 

use our home-loan guaranty program and those who 

don’t take advantage of our guaranties—to keep 

people in their homes,” said former VA Secretary 
6 Gulf War Review

Peake. “I’m proud of our solid record of success 

in helping Veterans and active-duty personnel deal 

with financial crises.”

Part of this success is due to VA counselors, located 

at ten VA offices nationwide, that assist those with 

VA-guaranteed home loans to avoid foreclosure 

through counseling and special financing arrangements. The counselors also can assist Veterans with 

non-VA loans and since the year 2000 have helped 

about 91,000 Veterans, active-duty members, and 

survivors keep their homes, saving the government 

approximately $1.8 billion.

Depending on a Veteran’s circumstances, VA can 

intercede with the borrower on the Veteran’s behalf 

to pursue options—such as repayment plans, forbearance, and loan modifications—that can allow a 

Veteran to keep a home.

To obtain help from a VA financial counselor, call VA toll-free at 

1-877-827-3702. Information about VA’s home loan guaranty 

program is available on the Internet at www.homeloans.va.gov.

Conditions Automatically Recognized 

for Service Connection

Enacted in 1994, Public Law 103-446 allows VA to 

pay compensation to Gulf War Veterans with certain 

chronic disabilities resulting from illnesses that VA 

could not diagnose that appeared during active duty 

in the Gulf War or within a specified time period 

after their Gulf War service, which led to a degree of 

disability of 10 percent or more. 

Three health conditions suffered by some Gulf War 

Veterans are presumptively (automatically) recognized 

by VA for service connection. These are fibromyalgia, 

chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome. In 2001, Public Law 107-103, expanded the 

definition of “qualifying chronic disability” to include 

these three conditions.

VA encourages Veterans with these conditions—

including those denied service connection before 

this law was passed—to apply for VA disability 

compensation.

How to Apply for VA Disability 

Compensation 

Like other Veterans, Gulf War Veterans with 

service-connected illnesses or injuries are eligible for 

monthly payments called disability compensation. 

The disability must have been incurred or aggravated 

during active military service. Furthermore, the military 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), affects the 

amount of VA compensation paid.

Disability Ratings Ranges. Disability ratings 

range from 0 to 100 percent (in increments of 10 

percent). For example, in 2009, 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 

are eligible for monthly allowances for each dependent. (The amount depends on the disability rating.)

Additional Disability Benefits. A Veteran who 

either 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 get these benefits.

Other Benefits. In addition to the compensation 

program described above, 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. 
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 7

What’s New? 

Gulf War Veteran Benefits and Care:

Current and New Programs

New VA Enrollment Information. The 

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has put forth 

new regulations for certain Priority Group 8 Veterans. 

These regulations may allow certain Priority Group 

8 Veterans to enroll in the VA health care system, 

although they may have been denied in the past. 

Included are 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 into the Priority Group 8 

may qualify if their income does not go over the 

current VA income limit by more than 10%. This 

new 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. If you have any questions, please call 

1-877-222-VETS (8387).

The VA Gulf War Veteran Health Registry.

Even prior to the 1991 Gulf War cease-fire, VA had 

concerns that returning Veterans might develop 

certain unique health problems, including respiratory 

issues from exposure to intense oil fire smoke.

In response, VA quickly established a clinical registry 

to screen for this possibility. Formally established 

by law in 1992, VA’s Gulf War Veterans’ Health 

Examination Registry is still available to all Gulf 

War Veterans, including those of the current conflict 

in Iraq. The registry offers all Gulf War Veterans a 

comprehensive physical examination, and collects data 

from participating Veterans about their symptoms, 

diagnoses, and hazardous exposures. As of February 

2009, this program had evaluated more than 110,000 

Gulf War Veterans.

Compensation for Undiagnosed Illnesses.

Many Gulf War Veterans encountered problems 

when trying to prove that their difficult-to-diagnose 

or undiagnosed illnesses were connected to military 

service. This affected these Veterans’ access to 

disability compensation.

In response, VA asked Congress for the authority to 

provide compensation benefits to Gulf War Veterans 

who are chronically disabled by undiagnosed illnesses. 

The 1994 statute authorizes VA to pay compensation for disabilities that cannot be diagnosed as a 

specific disease or injury, or for certain illnesses with 

unknown cause, including chronic fatigue, persistent 

rashes, hair loss, headaches, muscle pain, joint 

pain, neurological symptoms, neuropsychological 

symptoms such as memory loss, respiratory system 

symptoms, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal 

symptoms, cardiovascular symptoms, abnormal 

weight loss, and menstrual disorders.

More than 3,400 Gulf War Veterans have received 

service connection for their undiagnosed or difficultto-diagnose illnesses under this authority. Veterans 

from the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq 

are also eligible for this special benefit.

War-Related Illness & Injury Study Centers: 

Specialized Health Care for Combat 

Veterans. In 1998, as part of VA’s overall health 

response on behalf of Veterans returning from the 

1991 Gulf War, the Department established WarRelated Illness and Injury Study Centers (WRIISCs) 

at the Washington, DC, and East Orange, NJ VA 

Medical Centers (VAMCs). A third Center is now 

operational at the Palo Alto, CA VAMC.

New Disability Compensation Rates for 2009:

 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

Today, these three centers provide specialized health 

care for combat Veterans from all deployments who 

experience difficult-to-diagnose or undiagnosed-butdisabling illnesses. VA now anticipates concerns about 

unexplained illness after virtually all deployments, 

including Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi 

Freedom, and is building on its understanding of 

such illnesses.

Depleted Uranium (DU) Surveillance Program.

Special armor-piercing munitions and tank armor 

made from depleted uranium (DU) was used with great 

effect by U.S. forces during the 1991 Gulf War. In 

1993, A established the DU Follow-up Program at the 

Baltimore VA Medical Center to monitor the health of 

Veterans who had retained DU fragments in wounds.

The program provides ongoing and thorough 

detailed physical examinations for affected Veterans, 

including testing of the blood, immune, reproductive, 

and central nervous systems, and of kidney and liver 

function. In 1998, this program was expanded to 

offer DU screening for any Veteran concerned about 

possible DU exposure, and not just those with 

possible retained DU fragments or other types of 

high-exposure risks. The program is also open for 

Veterans who served in Operations Enduring Freedom 

and Iraqi Freedom. 

Information for Veterans and their Families. 

VA offers many programs designed to help returning 

combat Veterans and their families. To help Veterans 

of the 1991 Gulf War and their families increase 

awareness of their VA health care and other benefits, 

and to inform them of new research results on Gulf 

War Veterans’ health, VA initiated this Gulf War 

Review newsletter, regularly mailed to more than 

400,000 Gulf War Veterans.

Funding Your College Education—Help 

from the U.S. Department of Education.

Veterans returning to the United States who wish to 

begin or continue postsecondary 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.

As with any multistep process, questions, issues or 

problems may arise that cannot be answered or resolved 

through traditional sources of Federal Student Aid 

customer service. If this is the case, Veterans may 

contact the Federal Student Aid Office of the 

Ombudsman. For example: Service members returning 

from active duty may find that payments for postsecondary loans have not been kept up-to-date and loans 

have defaulted. The borrower will want to bring the 

account up-to-date. Also, when loans are in default, 

additional Federal student loans will not be approved. 

If the usual sources of customer service cannot help, 

the Ombudsman will assist in identifying options.

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. Site users can submit an 

Ombudsman Assistance Request Form by clicking 

on the “Contact Us” button on the top banner of 

each page (look for the form link at the bottom of the 

“Contact Us” page). Service requests will be answered 

within 10 business days. Those without Internet access 

may call 1-877-557-2575 or 202-377-3800 to speak 

with the Ombudsman office in Washington, DC.

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 their financial aid. For online instructions on 

how to complete the FAFSA online or on paper, visit 

the Web site http://studentaid.ed.gov/completefafsa

and go to “Completing the FAFSA.”

Application deadlines for your state or schools may be 

different from the Federal deadlines and you may be 

required to complete additional forms.

 Federal Student Financial Aid Deadlines: 

www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm#federal_aid 

 State Student Financial Aid Deadlines: 

www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.htm#state_deadlines 
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 9

 School Student Financial Aid Deadlines: 

www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003a.

htm#college_deadlines

In addition, schools may have their own deadlines 

and applications for awarding student aid. Check 

with the school’s financial aid office for information. 

Additional information is available at 

www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov.

One-Stop Career Centers for Veterans.

Veterans can find the services they need at a convenient One-Stop Career Center. Work with a Veterans’ 

Employment Specialist to find jobs, acquire skills 

and education, plan a career, attend workshops, and 

take advantage of other resources. Information on the 

One-Stop Career Center near you is available on the 

Internet at the Department of Labor Web site www.

hirevetsfirst.gov/onestop_vet.asp or by telephone at 

1-877-USA-JOBS (1-877-872-5627). 

Transition Assistance Program for Veterans 

(TAP). The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) 

Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for Veterans 

Web site provides career information for active duty 

service members, National Guard, Reserves, and 

spouses of service members separating or retiring 

from the military. The Web site provides tools and 

information to use during transition from military life 

to civilian life. Those interested in more information 

can find it online at www.dol.gov/vets/programs/tap/

main.htm.

HireVetsFirst: Department of Labor’s 

Transition Program. Veterans’ Employment and 

Training Service (VETS) is the U.S. Department of 

Labor’s (DOL) agency responsible for helping Veterans 

make the transition from the military to civilian 

jobs and for protecting their employment rights and 

benefits. Information regarding current programs is 

available at the DOL Web site at www.dol.gov/vets/

programs/fact/Employment_Services_fs01.htm.

Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Patriot 

Express Loans. Patriot Express is open to Veterans, 

Reservists and National Guard members, current 

spouses of eligible personnel, the surviving spouses 

of service members who die on active duty, and 

spouses of Veterans who die from a service-connected 

disability. The program can enable those wanting to 

establish or expand a small business.

More information about the SBA program is available 

at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress or contact the SBA 

Answer Desk 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (1-800-827-5722). 

Address e-mail inquiries 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.

VA Education Benefits for Veterans.

Requests for education benefits from Veterans receive 

priority review and processing at VA in order to 

expedite application decisions. VA’s Education Service 

administers education programs that provide benefits 

to qualified Veterans, service members, Reservists, 

and dependents.

Current programs include:

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

	 •	Montgomery GI Bill—Selected Reserve

(MGIB-SR) 

	 •	Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)

	 •	Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational

Assistance Program (DEA)

	 •	Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Information about educational programs and the applications 

process is available on the Internet at www.gibill.va.gov or via 

telephone at 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551) 
10 Gulf War Review

ADDITIONAL HELP AND INFORMATION

Active duty military personnel with questions or 

concerns about service in Southwest Asia (including Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraqi 

Freedom, and Enduring Freedom) should contact 

their commanding officer or call the Department 

of Defense (DOD) Gulf War Veterans’ Hotline 

at 1-800-796-9699. DOD also offers the Direct 

Veterans Hotline at 1-800-497-6261. 

Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, 

and Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans with 

concerns about their health should contact their 

nearest VA medical center. The center telephone 

numbers are in your local telephone directory 

under Department of Veterans Affairs in the “U.S. 

Government” listings. Medical care is available, 

and a Gulf War Registry examination for Operation 

Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans 

is also available on request. 

The VA Gulf War Information Helpline also provides 

information and assistance. The toll-free number is 

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

Visit this Web site for more information on 

Gulf War Veteran health care and other benefits: 

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/. 

Gulf War Veterans in need of marital/family 

counseling should contact the nearest VA medical 

center or VA Vet Center, also listed in the phonebook 

under Department of Veterans Affairs in the “U.S. 

Government” listings. For additional information about these programs, call the VA Gulf War 

Information Helpline at 1-800-PGW-VETS 

(1-800-749-8387). 

Gulf War Veterans seeking disability compensation 

for illnesses incurred in or aggravated by military 

service can contact a Veterans Benefits Counselor 

at the nearest VA Regional Office or health care 

facility at 1-800-827-1000, or call the VA Gulf 

War Information Helpline at 1-800-PGW-VETS 

(1-800-749-8387). Claims may also be made online 

at http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. 

Gulf War Veterans interested in learning about the 

wide range of benefit programs administered by 

VA should contact a Veterans Benefits Counselor 

at the nearest VA regional office or health care 

facility at 1-800-827-1000, or 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, especially those 

seeking disability compensation. The organizations 

listed are examples; there are many other excellent 

organizations and VA does not endorse or recommend any one group over another. 

County Veterans Service Officers can also be of great 

help to many military Veterans, including those who 

served in the Gulf War, who are seeking benefits they 

earned through their service to the Nation. 

For additional Federal benefit information, see VA’s 

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents booklet. 

This booklet, updated annually to reflect changes in 

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

index.asp. It also may be purchased from the U.S. 

Government Printing Office either at the Web site 

http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ or by mail: 

 U.S. Government Printing Office

 Superintendent of Documents

 Washington, DC 20402

VA’s Web pages include the most current information 

on compensation and pension benefits, health care 

benefits and services, burial and memorial benefits, 

and other areas. Visit www.va.gov to learn more. 
www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/GulfWar 11

!

Please use this form to 

help us keep our mailing 

list up-to-date.

Send corrections to:

Gulf War Review 

Corporate Franchise 

Data Center

Austin Campus (200/397A)

1615 Woodward Street

Austin, TX 78772-0001

If you receive more than one copy of Gulf War Review, or prefer to read it 

online at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar, let us know by returning 

the form below to the address listed above. Please provide your name, address, 

and last four digits of your Social Security number. You may use this or other 

paper. Please indicate that you receive the Gulf War Review. Thank you

Subscription or address change form for Gulf War Review. Please print.

Name First: Middle: Last: Last 4 of SSN:

Address Street (Please indicate APO/FPO, if applicable) 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 City:	 	 State:	 Zip Code:

New Address Street or P.O. Box:

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 City:	 	 State:	 Zip Code:

q My address has changed, and I would 

like to continue to receive the newsletter. 

(Please indicate your former address.)

q I am receiving more than one copy, 

and only want a single copy.

q I don’t need the newsletter mailed; 

I read it online.

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 describes actions by VA and other Federal departments 

and agencies to respond to these concerns and gives updates on a wide range of VA programs for Veterans. 

For past issues of this newsletter and related information, see the Web site www.publichealth.va.gov/

exposures/gulfwar/. The most recent issues of this newsletter are dated May 2008 and July 2006. 

For information regarding the current conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, please see the Operations Iraqi 

Freedom/ Enduring Freedom Review on the Web site at www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/.

This is the 40th issue of the Gulf War Review and EAS anticipates publication of the Gulf War Review 

newsletter once or twice a year, depending on available news. Comments, questions, and suggestions for 

future issues are encouraged and can be sent to the Gulf War Review, Comments, Environmental Agents 

Service (131), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420.
Gulf War Review

INFORMATION FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN 

DESERT SHIELD/STORM AND THEIR FAMILIES

Gulf War Review Department of 

Veterans Affairs

CENTRAL OFFICE (131)

810 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20420