Gulf War Illness
A group of unexplained chronic symptoms — like fatigue, joint pain, and memory issues — affecting many Gulf War veterans.
Gulf War Illness (also called Chronic Multisymptom Illness or Undiagnosed Illness) is a presumptive condition for veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater during the Persian Gulf War (Aug 2, 1990 to present, including Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn) or in Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and a few other locations. Symptoms must have appeared during qualifying service or before December 31, 2026, and must have lasted at least six months. Common symptoms include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, headaches, sleep problems, memory and concentration trouble, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin issues, and respiratory problems. Because the cause is not fully understood, the VA presumes service connection if the basic conditions are met. Veterans should also know about the related presumptions for certain infectious diseases (like brucellosis, malaria, and West Nile virus) and for asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and several cancers added by the PACT Act.
In real life
- A Desert Storm veteran with chronic joint pain and fatigue files a claim and is presumed service-connected.
- An Iraq War veteran with chronic GI issues qualifies under undiagnosed illness rules.
- A Gulf War veteran with chronic asthma and sinusitis files under PACT Act airborne hazard presumptives.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about Gulf War Illness
Who qualifies?+
Veterans who served in covered Southwest Asia or related locations from August 2, 1990 onward and have qualifying symptoms lasting at least six months.
What if my doctor cannot explain my symptoms?+
That is exactly what 'undiagnosed illness' covers. You do not need a specific diagnosis to file.
Will my claim expire?+
Symptoms must appear by December 31, 2026 to use the current presumption window. The VA may extend this date — keep checking va.gov.
Where can I get help?+
File at va.gov/disability/file-claim or work with a free accredited VSO.
Source: va.gov