White Paper: Gulf War Syndrome Persists

Many service members who took part in the 1990-1991 Gulf War still suffer from a wide array of maladies as a result, according to a report prepared by the Department of Veterans Affairs that is now under review by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. As a rule, the VA does not grant benefits to veterans who suffer maladies that cannot be linked scientifically to their military service. But with the Dec. 1 report, the VA continues to acknowledge a relationship between Gulf War service and certain symptoms, including chronic fatigue, rashes, headaches, hair loss, pains in muscles and joints, neurologic problems, memory loss, and problems with breathing, sleep, gastrointestinal function, cardiovascular systems, weight loss and menstruation. The VA anticipates that the institute can conduct the research necessary to provide the direct links between the illnesses and service in Southwest Asia.