Gulf War Presumptive Illnesses and Eligibility Requirements for Veterans
Gulf War Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations may be entitled to disability compensation for certain undiagnosed illnesses, chronic disability patterns, and presumptive diseases. Eligible Veterans can receive a free Gulf War Registry health exam to identify potential long-term health issues. Qualifying conditions must have appeared during active service or prior to December 31, 2021, with specific criteria to meet for eligibility. Presumptive illnesses include a range of symptoms such as abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
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Gulf War Presumptive Illnesses William Genochio, VBA Coordinator Dept. Service Officer Cleveland, VARO
Gulf War Veterans who are they? Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable who served in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations, which includes the areas specified by regulation, but not Afghanistan, may be entitled to disability compensation for certain undiagnosed illnesses, certain diagnosable chronic disability patterns, and certain presumptive diseases.
Southwest Asia theater of Military Operation For VA benefit purposes, Gulf War service is active military duty in any of the following areas in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations at any time August 2, 1990 to present. This includes Veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2010) and Operation New Dawn (2010-2011). Note: Service in Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001, is considered qualifying service for disability benefits associated with certain presumptive diseases. VA offers Eligible Veterans a free Gulf War Registry health exam to find Possible long-term health problems related to Gulf War Service
Eligibility Requirements Qualifying undiagnosed illnesses or diagnosable chronic disability patterns, that appeared either during a qualifying period of active service or prior to December 31, 2021, must meet the following conditions: Must be no other cause for your disability or illness than service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations. Your disability existed for 6 months or more, AND If your disability or illness did not appear during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations, then it must have appeared prior to December 31, 2021, to a degree that is at least 10-percent disabling (for VA rating purposes).
Gulf War Presumptive Illnesses Undiagnosed illnesses. These are illnesses that may include but are not limited to: abnormal weight loss, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances. Functional gastrointestinal disorders. A group of conditions characterized by chronic or recurrent symptoms that are unexplained. These disorders may include but are not limited to irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspesia, functional vomiting, functional constipation, functional bloating, functional abdominal pain syndrome, and functional dysphagia.
Gulf War Presumptive Illnesses Cont. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A condition of long- term and severe fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. Fibromyalgia: A condition characterized by widespread muscle pain. Other symptoms may include insomnia, morning stiffness, headache, and memory problems
Gulf War Presumptive Illnesses Certain presumptive diseases, which will be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated by service even if there is no evidence of such disease during active service. With three exceptions (see asterisks), one of the following must have become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year of the date of separation from a qualifying period of active service: Burcellosis Campylobacter jejuni Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Malaria* (if not 10 percent or more within one year of separation, may be 10 percent or more at a time when standard or accepted treatises indicate that the incubation period commenced during qualifying period of service) Mycobacterium tuberculosis* (no time limit) Nontyphoid Salmonella Shigella Visceral leishmaniasis* (no time limit) West Nile Virus
Medically Unexplained Illnesses A prominent condition affecting Gulf War Veterans is a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, and memory problems. VA refers to these illnesses as "chronic multisymptom illness" and "undiagnosed illnesses." We prefer not to use the term Gulf War Syndrome when referring to medically unexplained symptoms reported by Gulf War Veterans. Why? Because symptoms vary widely.
Benefits Overview for Gulf War Veterans Illnesses VA offers health registry exams, health care, disability compensation and other benefits to eligible Gulf War Veterans. Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits. Gulf War Registry Exam Health Care Disability Compensation for Veterans Survivors Benefits
How to Apply! Visit your Local American Legion Accredited County Veteran Service Officers in one of the 88 counties. Or by visiting the Department Service Officers located at the Anthony J. Celebreeze Federal Building located in Cleveland Ohio. You can also visit the Department Service Officers field offices located at the Dayton VAMC, Cincinnati or Columbus. Fill out the VA Form 21-526EZ listing the Illnesses requesting as result of Gulf War Presumptive.
Evidence needed to File The evidence must show you served in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations,or served in Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001, for benefits associated with certain presumptive diseases. Medical evidence of treatment of the claimed disability or illness. If there is no medical evidence that you have been previously treated for a disability pattern and the only significant evidence is a lay statement describing the disability pattern, a VA examination may be needed
Evidence needed to File Cont. For undiagnosed illness claims, the evidence may be medical evidence or nonmedical indications that can be independently observed or verified such as lost time from work, changes in appearance, changes in physical abilities, and changes in mental or emotional attitudes (Note: Independently verified means it must be possible for VA to obtain verification of the nonmedical indicators from an independent source).
Gulf War Registry Health Exam for Veterans This comprehensive health exam includes an exposure and medical history, laboratory tests, and a physical exam. A VA health professional will discuss the results face-to-face with the Veteran and in a follow-up letter. Important points about registry health exams Free to eligible Veterans and no co-payment Not a disability compensation exam or required for other VA benefits Enrollment in VA's health care system not necessary Based on Veterans recollection of service, not on their military records Veterans can receive additional registry exams, if new problems develop Veterans' family members are not eligible for registry exams
Additional Information https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/ This link will provide a list of VA publications and or newsletters pertaining to Gulf War and other VA related material.
Contact Information William (Bill) Genochio Department Service Officer Cleveland Veteran Affairs Regional Office 1240 East 9th St, Rm 923 Cleveland, Ohio 44199 william.Genochio@va.gov genochio@ohiolegion.com 216-522-3504
Resources Gulf War Illnesses https://benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-gulfwar.asp Gulf War Registry Exam https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry- exam.asp Gulf War Presumptive Public Health https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/gulf- war/gulf-war-winter-2016/gulf-war-presumptives.asp
VA Environmental Health Coordinator Ohio Environmental Health Coordinators Reva Jordan (614) 388-7727 Reva.Jordan@va.gov Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center 420 N. James Rd Columbus, OH 43219 Chillicothe VA Medical Center 17273 State Route 104 Chillicothe, OH 45601 Contacts to Schedule Veterans Gulf War Health Exam. Kathy Keeney (740) 773-1141 x6449 Kathy.Keeney@va.gov Fax: (614) 257-5637 Janie Thompson (513) 475-6973 Janie.Thompson3@va.gov Fax: (740) 772-7061 Sheryl Yarbrough (937) 268-6511 x1073 Sheryl.Yarbrough@va.gov Fax: (937) 267-3978 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 Dayton VA Medical Center 4100 W. Third Street Dayton, OH 45428 Nadine Lawrence (216) 739-7000 x838 2504 Nadine.Sanders@va.gov Fax: (216) 739-7094 Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center 8787 Brookpark Road Parma, OH 44129
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