Registered veterans receive periodic updates on efforts to determine the source or sources of the health problems and access to follow-on care, if needed. They also may qualify for VA disability pay. The department has approved nearly 26,000 compensation claims from Gulf War veterans. It takes about 30 days to get an appointment with a doctor, Murphy said. The actual exam takes several hours, during which the health provider records the patient's medical history and completes the physical exam.
Patients also undergo complete blood work and a urinalysis.
If there are no abnormalities, patients get results of the exam in several weeks, Murphy explained. If health problems are evident, however, the physician conducts further diagnostic testing and may decide to hospitalize the veteran for additional evaluation. This usually is done at the same hospital the veteran reported to for the initial evaluation. Ala. A little more than 325 veterans have been referred to one of these centers. Because the testing they'll receive is extensive, Murphy said, veterans referred to one of the centers should expect to be hospitalized 10 days.