Gulf War 1990 - Present / Includes Iraq and Afghanistan

For more information, click on the campaign ribbon as well as the various links below:

VA establishes presumptive service connection for rare respiratory cancers for certain Veterans:  The Department of Veterans Affairs is adding nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environmental exposures to fine particulate matter.  The following list of rare respiratory cancers have been added to VA’s regulations through an Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register on April 26, 2022: 

• Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. 
• Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea. 
• Adenocarcinoma of the trachea. 
• Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea. 
• Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung. 
• Large cell carcinoma of the lung. 
• Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung. 
• Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung. 
• Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.  

VA determined, through a focused review of scientific and medical evidence, there is biological plausibility between airborne hazards and carcinogenesis of the respiratory tract — and the unique circumstances of these rare cancers warrant a presumption of service connection.  The rarity and severity of these illnesses and the reality these conditions present, is a situation where it may not be possible to develop additional evidence, prompted VA to take this action.  

VA will begin processing disability compensation claims for Veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990, to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001, to the present.  

Any Veteran who has or had one of the listed cancers at any time during or after separation from military service may be eligible for disability compensation benefits. VA will contact impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply.  But you might not want to wait on the VA contacting you!  Veterans, survivors or dependents who had claims previously denied for any of these respiratory cancers are encouraged to file a supplemental claim for benefits.   

If you are a Veteran, survivor or dependent applying for the first time, file a new claim here: VA File a Claim  Read the final ruling: https://www.regulations.gov/document/VA-2022-VBA-0014-0001 

To apply for benefits, Veterans and survivors may visit https://www.va.gov or call toll-free at 800-827-1000. You can also go to the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency and file a claim.  The veterans' counselors will be able to help you.  They are located at 20 Squadron Blvd., Suite 480, New City, New York 10956.  Call to set up an appointment - 845-638-5244.

• For more information on Veterans' benefits or filing a VA Compensation Claim, you can contact veteran representatives from the New York State Division of Veterans' Services through our local County or State offices as well as the Federal government.    

• Rockland County, New York has a local Veterans Service Agency located at 20 Squadron Blvd., Suite 480, New City, New York. Call to set up an appointment with one of the veteran counselors at 845-638-5244. It is staffed by veterans.       

• The New York State Division of Veterans' Services is New York's advocacy agency for all Veterans, Service Members, and their families.  For over seven decades, the Division has connected generations of Veterans, Service Members, and their families and dependents to multiple economic, medical, and social benefits and services earned because of their military service.  For more information on Veteran's benefits, please make an appointment with a Veterans Benefits Advisor.  https://veterans.ny.gov       

A few locations where you can find New York State Division of Veterans' Services offices:  New York State Division of Veterans’ Services - VA Medical Center, P.O. Box 100 P.O. Box 100 2094 Albany Post Road Building 1 – Room 18 Montrose , NY 10548 Phone: (914) 788-4367  New York State Division of Veterans’ Services - West Point US Military Academy (every other Friday) 622 Swift Road Building 622, Room 113 West Point , NY 10996 Phone: (845) 831-2000 ext 215449   Orange County Veterans Service Agency 111 Craigville Road Goshen , NY 10924 Phone: (845) 291-2470 and Rockland County Veterans Service Agency - 20 Squadron Blvd., Suite 480, New City, New York. Call them at 845-638-5244. 

Gulf War Veterans' Presumptive Illnesses

Certain illnesses are associated with Gulf War service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations from August 2, 1990 to present. Medically unexplained illnesses (also commonly referred to as Gulf War illness or Chronic Multi-symptom illness) are a significant concern for some Veterans who served during the Gulf War.

VA offers eligible Veterans a free Gulf War Registry health exam to find possible long-term health problems related to Gulf War service. VA also offers health care, disability compensation, and other benefits to eligible Veterans.  Their dependents and survivors may also be eligible for benefits.This section covers specific issues that affect veterans who served in the Middle East from 1980 to the present time.  https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/index.asp

Gulf War Veterans who: 

• Served in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations 

• Have a condition that is at least 10 percent disabling by Dec. 31, 2026  

• Specific presumed conditions are: 

Medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses that exist for six months or more, such as: 

• Chronic fatigue syndrome • Fibromyalgia • Irritable bowel syndrome 

• Any diagnosed or undiagnosed illness that warrants a presumption of service connection, as determined by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

• Fatigue • Skin symptoms • Headaches • Muscle pain • Joint pain • Neurological or neuropsychological symptoms • Symptoms involving the upper or lower respiratory system • Sleep disturbance • Gastrointestinal symptoms  • Cardiovascular symptoms • Weight loss • Menstrual disorders  

Gulf War Veterans who: 

Served in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations or in Afghanistan on or after September 19, 2001 manifest one of the following infectious diseases to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year of separation:  

• Brucellosis • Campylobacter jejuni • Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) • Nontyphoid Salmonella • Shigella • West Nile virus • Malaria (or when accepted treatises indicate the incubation period began during a qualifying period of service) 

Manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after separation: 

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis Visceral leishmaniasis  

Gulf War Deployed Veterans who: 

• Served any length of time in the Southwest Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War, or 

• Served any length of time in Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti or Uzbekistan on or after September 19, 2001 and 

• Manifests one of the following to any degree within 10 years from the date of separation from military service:  Asthma • Rhinitis • Sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/presumption.pd

Veterans who served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) may have been exposed to a range of environmental and chemical hazards that carried potential health risks. 

Join the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry to document your exposures and health concerns. 

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/gulf-war-illness-afghanistan/

Veterans Health Issues:  If you served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) any time after October 7, 2001, you may be at risk of certain health conditions. Learn about these conditions and what to do to take care of your health.

Gulf War Military Service Areas:  

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/military-service.asp 

Gulf War Service:

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). Southwest Asia theatre of military operations: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E., Oman, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea Iraq Kuwait Saudi Arabia The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Bahrain Qatar The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Oman Gulf of Aden Gulf of Oman Waters of the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea The airspace above these locations

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) helps you pay for school or job training. If you’ve served on active duty after September 10, 2001, you may qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). 

Find out if you can get this education benefit.  

https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/

At least one of these must be true: 

• You served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or 
• You received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or 
• You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or 
• You’re a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member 

Note: If you’re a member of the Reserves who lost education benefits when the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP) ended in November 2015, you may qualify to receive restored benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 

What if I qualify for other VA education benefits too?  

You’ll have to pick which benefit you’d like to use. This is an irrevocable decision, meaning you can’t change your mind.

What benefits can I get through the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33)?  

You can receive up to 36 months of benefits, including:

• Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, we’ll cover the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees. We cap the rates for private and foreign schools, and update those rates each year. 
• Find out if you can get in-state tuition rates as an out-of-state student 
• Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time). We’ll base your monthly housing allowance on the cost of living where your school is located. 
• Money for books and supplies. You can receive up to $1,000 per school year. 
• Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. You may qualify for this one-time payment of $500 if you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and you’re either moving at least 500 miles to go to school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school.  https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/post-9-11/

VA Publication with information about VA Benefits: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/2021_Federal_Benefits_for_Veterans_Dependents_and_survivors.pdf

Vaccinations and Gulf War Veterans

:

VA and research organizations continue to evaluate possible causes of Gulf War Veterans' chronic multisymptom illnesses, including vaccinations. 

If you have health concerns, talk to your health care provider or contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator to help you get more information from a health care provider. https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/sources/vaccinations.asp