2012 Report of the Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF)

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The Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF) was set up to address the specific and unique concerns of Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War Era. The focus of the GWVI-TF is to develop and integrate new knowledge into services that will directly benefit Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

The 2012 Report of the Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF) is located at: http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/Draft_2012_GWVI-TF_Report.pdf

Over the past year, the GWVI-TF has continued to work to improve care and services to Gulf War Veterans. The work has proceeded around a premise that the efforts must become a part of the culture and ongoing operations of VA and not simply the purview of a special Task Force. To accomplish this goal, the GWVI-TF solidified the framework for organizing and synchronizing its efforts. That framework serves as the overarching template for this report. The framework is composed of the seven lines of effort listed below. These seven lines provide the framework of the 2011 and 2012 reports. VA welcomes your comments and suggestions regarding the report in each these areas. Please select the link(s) below and provide us your feedback on this important report.

- Clinical Care: Leveraging Veteran-Centric Specialty Services in Primary Care

- Clinical Education and Training: Putting Clinical Knowledge Into Practice

- Veteran Benefits: Delivering Compensation and Pension and Fiduciary Services

- Veteran Outreach: Improving Communications to Gulf War Veterans

- Partnerships: Improved Data Sharing with the Department of Defense

- Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance: Taking Advantage of Untapped

- Sources of Data Related to Veterans’ Health

- Research and Development: Encouraging Targeted Efforts

Thank you for your continued service and for helping VA to improve the services to this important Veteran group.

The Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF) 2012 Report

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Common sence

I think there needs to be a way for the Vets to use their VA ID card to see someone outside the VA. My husband has had problems even getting someone to answer the phone at the VA healthcare center let alone getting an appointment. Why can't they (if it is a service connected issue or if you have a rating high enough to be seen at the VA for anything including sevice connection) use the VA ID card like a medical card. In our case it could be used as a secondary insurance, but in other cases it could be used as a primary such as medicare is. I have been told on more than one occation that they awear no one aswers the phone and that they are overwhelmed with patients. So this would take some of the load off the VA hospital, and with the rise in Gulf War Illness it only makes sence to do something like this. Instead of telling patients you have to wait 6,7,or 8 months for an appointment. My husband waited 11 months to see his PCM at the VA and by that time they kicked him out of the system. How is that his falt??? Wake up WASHINGTON!!! It is not fair to let our Vet suffer like this.

I think there needs to be a way for the Vets to use their VA ID card to see someone outside the VA. My husband has had problems even getting someone to answer the phone at the VA healthcare center let alone getting an appointment. Why can't they (if it is a service connected issue or if you have a rating high enough to be seen at the VA for anything including sevice connection) use the VA ID card like a medical card. In our case it could be used as a secondary insurance, but in other cases it could…

3 votes

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Counseling

My husband came home and started counseling, buy it stopped becuase the VA Center in Gainesville, Fl just wanted to do married coo\uples

2 votes

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When I returned I was already having bad migraines, rashes, vertigo, Irritable bowell syndrome, joint pain, chronic pain and fatique just to

When I returned from the gulf war I was already having bad migraines, rashes, vertigo, Irritable bowell syndrome, joint pain, chronic pain and fatique just tobegin to name what I remember...was checked for brain tumor due to symptoms but no go. Went thru the drill at Walter Reed with the registry but no help. retired from the service NS ATARTED filing my claims with the VA. I fought tooth and nail over the idea that we were exposed to crap over ther...with this neurologist bitch...I'd be yelling at her that she wasn't there so STFU cause you don't know anything. She's still my neuoro, doc. now but she only schedules me fir once a year. I have to del with her because she is my liaison to the va hospitap that does mt back surgeries. (I have DDD degenerative disk deisease too now...along with DJD degenerative joint disease, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, unspecified organic brain disorder, Hep C, dementia, PTSD, anxiety, major depression, my rashes (which they call eczema and hypertension...I had none of these problems before the war, they began immediately upon departure and it's been a downhill struggle ever since. I'm rated 100% Total and permanent all service connected.

one piece of advivce, write up each problem separate from the others ans submit them separately you're more likely to get them rated that
way.

oh yeah, sleep??? what's that??? between the PTSD nightmares and the physical poblems, who sleeps!!! good luck guys!!!

When I returned from the gulf war I was already having bad migraines, rashes, vertigo, Irritable bowell syndrome, joint pain, chronic pain and fatique just tobegin to name what I remember...was checked for brain tumor due to symptoms but no go. Went thru the drill at Walter Reed with the registry but no help. retired from the service NS ATARTED filing my claims with the VA. I fought tooth and nail over the idea that we were exposed to crap over ther...with this neurologist bitch...I'd be yelling at her that she wasn't there so STFU cause you don't know anything.…

9 votes

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Sorry, VA, you have zero credibility; Yet we hope there will be some deliverance.

How about -- as if you are even listening -- using the research already amassed by credible 3rd party scholars. How about you actually determine any correlation between GW service and MS/MS-like symptoms as you were directed to in 2008. How about you stop denying GW vets' claims, despite the plethora of civilian dr.s' evidence often submitted in support. How about you require your staff not to treat GW vets as malingerers. How about you reward those minority of VA staff that try to do the right thing while trapped in a corrupt organizational structure. Until we see proactive and positive results at all VA Regional Ctr.s, your claims of improvement are at best diatribe and at worst lies and a betrayal of national trust.

How about -- as if you are even listening -- using the research already amassed by credible 3rd party scholars. How about you actually determine any correlation between GW service and MS/MS-like symptoms as you were directed to in 2008. How about you stop denying GW vets' claims, despite the plethora of civilian dr.s' evidence often submitted in support. How about you require your staff not to treat GW vets as malingerers. How about you reward those minority of VA staff that try to do the right thing while trapped in a corrupt organizational structure. Until we see proactive and…

14 votes

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The complete text and data of any research, study, or report should be freely available on line to us.

There has been many taxpayer funded studies, research, ect, that are only published in one of the many scientific/ medical journals. As part of accepting taxpayer payments, all text and data should also be posted where the public can see it. Or, at a minimum, set up a site accessible through my-healthy vet, that has everything posted.
That should apply to any study, whether funded through the VA, CDMRP, or any other taxpayer fund.

6 votes

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Persian GUlf War Registry Washington DC VAMC, Desert Storm Doctor was incompetent.

Went to do Registry exam in local VAMC.
I did it before in 1993 in SF, in NC and now in DC. ALso I did one Registry exam in NC, registrar for Persian Gulf registry could not find me in their VA MC computers. She said that I was missing. Also I have documents proving that I existed and went to the Gulf War exams in NC in 1996. It really set my mind off, and I started to go thru all the daocuments related to me and VAMC. I found letter about Khamisiyah and other.I spoke with Doctor from Persian GUlf war clinic about my symptoms and problems like we all know. He said that "We all die. Why veterans htink that they are better then others? we all die and we all need help. It blew me off. I talked with American Legion rep. VSO about it he said: we have a freedom of speech in this country. So all could do is to write about doctor and his remarks about veterans and death and that we are not special - like everybody who was not in those Desert Storm anti anthrax pills places to VA.
I have freedom of speech also and I use my right to express what I feel. anyway I think that doctors and staff in DESERT STORM clinic should be more attentive and educated in this. They have it all. But they dont want to admit Khamisiyah also it is all there on the letter.
Actually this doctor from Desert Storm clinic who told to me that veterans are not special and all it infalted too much, said to me, that
DOD SHould NOT mail this letter to Veterans who were in KHAMISIJYA. He said that it was a MISTAKE to send to us this letter.
I just did not answer. and left.
I know that this doctor moved to another agency .
Olga E Roemer, KNECHT in Persian GUfl War, KKMC

Went to do Registry exam in local VAMC.
I did it before in 1993 in SF, in NC and now in DC. ALso I did one Registry exam in NC, registrar for Persian Gulf registry could not find me in their VA MC computers. She said that I was missing. Also I have documents proving that I existed and went to the Gulf War exams in NC in 1996. It really set my mind off, and I started to go thru all the daocuments related to me and VAMC. I found letter about Khamisiyah and other.I spoke with Doctor from…

3 votes

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VA Doctors need to not be "afraid" to diagnose GWS illnesses that are on the registry for compensation. Not 1 VA doctor will put their name

VA Doctors need to not be "afraid" to diagnose GWS illnesses that are on the registry for compensation. Not 1 VA doctor will put their name on CFSW as they say CFS is too broad. I meet the criteria for it but for some reason they will not diagnose this. Maybe better training for docs on the GWS illnesses.

12 votes

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My ideas are very simple,it explains what most Gulf War Vets were exposed to.As most combat arms veterans know mission first.

My idea is simple to allow Gulf War veterans to have more resources to better understand their illness. There are many areas in and around the Country that don't have a VA medical center or many veterans don't have computers to read articles and updates on the Gulf War. Therefore the VA needs to allow the military and or local medical offices to evaluate these veterans. The information from unknown exposure will only help the VA to treat our Vets. There are 10 of hundreds that will never see or read updated information. Also health departments should play a roll. We have asked and many are still hurting and have no answers as to what may have caused these illnesses. The VA is working hard see and hear the stories of exposure during the war; however they need to do more. My tour of duty was during operation "Provide Comfort" as an Army engineer we were exposed to many health dangers from numerous Kurds that had active TB, water that we bath in was contaminated, and used bleach to make the water safe, burning of feces from latrines, diarrhea from unsanitary soldiers and foods, and symptoms that made our biological equipment alarm that was never explained, and medical personnel that were our only source of treatment many who were young and needed books to explained treatment. These are just a few. My symptoms range from migraine headaches to joint pain and feeling tired all the time, not to forget sleep. Many Vets know that VA center work to try and use words that are difficult for Veterans to understand and there always stating that we are not the CP doctors. It appears the VA is doing another paper work red shuffle to wait us out and most will drop the process and or forget to apply for treatment. In closing I just want to say how is such a great Nation is a "Super Power" without the men and women that make our "Super Power". Make the call and answer the request for treatment and hire the doctors that are not just playing the numbers.

My idea is simple to allow Gulf War veterans to have more resources to better understand their illness. There are many areas in and around the Country that don't have a VA medical center or many veterans don't have computers to read articles and updates on the Gulf War. Therefore the VA needs to allow the military and or local medical offices to evaluate these veterans. The information from unknown exposure will only help the VA to treat our Vets. There are 10 of hundreds that will never see or read updated information. Also health departments should play a roll.…

2 votes

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Train VA doctors and nurse practitioners better about Gulf War related illness

Train VA doctors and nurse practitioners better about Gulf War related illness. My primary doctor (nurse practitioner) told me she does not believe that chronic fatigue syndrome is real…….

26 votes

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Work with VA to develop a presumptive for the issues we are experiencing.

The current presumptives and DBQ's have so many overlapping symptoms it is very subjective as which symptom belongs. Due to a symptom only being able to be compensated once due to pyrimiding. As for the current presumptives CFS, IBS and Fibro all being diagnosis of elimination and no effective treatment for these it is little wonder doctors both VA and outside question these as a diagnosis.

The undiagnosed illness presumptive under 3.317 is problematic due to really varied medical opinions and mutiple opinions requested that are differnt one each symptom. VA systemwide has been very inconsistant in awarding service connection under the current system.

As time passes the similarity of the disorders we are being diagnosed with mirror the Vietnam AO veterans. There are many that think the toxic exposures we subjected to have caused us to develop the same disorders.

It is my opinion that it is too late for the 1991 Gulf veterans to be brought back to health. Many of us, myself included are just holding on and trying too have some quality of life before this maliday kills us. I have been 100% IU P&T for two years and at age 51 I am just hoping to make it to the 10 year mark in order for my wife to be locked in for DIC when I die.

The current presumptives and DBQ's have so many overlapping symptoms it is very subjective as which symptom belongs. Due to a symptom only being able to be compensated once due to pyrimiding. As for the current presumptives CFS, IBS and Fibro all being diagnosis of elimination and no effective treatment for these it is little wonder doctors both VA and outside question these as a diagnosis.

The undiagnosed illness presumptive under 3.317 is problematic due to really varied medical opinions and mutiple opinions requested that are differnt one each symptom. VA systemwide has been very inconsistant in awarding service connection…

25 votes

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Fiduciary program revision

The fiduciary program was great at helping me to save and budget my money While suffering with a Traumatic Brain Injury. However it did nothing to help me resolve my past credit issues. Consequently, if my credit issues were resolved I would have to spend less money for Rent, Homes, and Insurance. It would also make me more employable for ceratin jobs who run your credit. The VA should develop a comprehensive program to help Veterans who are rated incompetent to budget smartly and restore their credit so that they can become more viable in the community.

3 votes

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Sleep Apnea should be a Presumptive Condition for Gulf War Vets

Sleep Apnea should be made a Presumptive Condition for All Gulf War Veterans! Every Gulf War Vet I know has Sleep Apnea, including myself. Currently, "Undiagnosed Sleep Disturbances" are considered a presumptive for us, but good luck getting a VA Doc to diagnose you with an "Undiagnosed" condition. Diagnosed Sleep Apnea is prevalant in the Gulf War Vet population, and should be service connectable on a presumptive basis.

371 votes

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How about adding anyone who worked around equipment from the Persian Gulf War to the Persian Gulf Registry

VA needs to include anyone that was not in the Gulf who worked around equipment used in the Gulf War (Reserves used equipment) to the Gulf Registry and if have symptoms of Gulf War Syndrome to be compensated. I worked around equipment at my Reserve unit that was used in the Gulf War and have many exact same things that Gulf War Syndrome Vets have. The Reserves kept the equipment that was in Kuwait and Saudi and just kept repairing it even though it was contaminated.

199 votes

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Use the CDC medicaly accepted definition of CFS.
The VA is still using outdated criteria to diagnose someone with CFS. Soldiers are being discharged from the Military, having been diagnosed with CFS, then when they go to the VA, they are told they do not meet the criteria.

VA definition.
For VA purposes, the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome requires:
(A) New onset of debilitating fatigue severe enough to reduce daily activity to less than 50 percent of the usual level for at least 6 months; and
(B) The exclusion, by history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, of all other clinical conditions that may produce similar symptoms; and
(C) Six or more of the following:
1. Acute onset of the condition
2. Low grade fever
3. Non-exudative pharyngitis
4. Palpable or tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
5. Generalized muscle aches or weakness
6. Fatigue lasting 24 hours or longer after exercise
7. Headaches (of a type, severity or pattern that is different from headaches in the pre-morbid state)
8. Migratory joint pains
9. Neuropsychological symptoms
10. Sleep disturbance

CDC, and the rest of the world (Except for the VA).

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by intense fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical activity or mental exertion. People with CFS often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before they became ill. The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified, and no specific diagnostic tests are available. Therefore, a CFS diagnosis requires three criteria:

The individual has had severe chronic fatigue for 6 or more consecutive months that is not due to ongoing exertion or other medical conditions associated with fatigue (these other conditions need to be ruled out by a doctor after diagnostic tests have been conducted) The fatigue significantly interferes with daily activities and work The individual concurrently has 4 or more of the following 8 symptoms: post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours unrefreshing sleep significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration muscle pain pain in the joints without swelling or redness headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit a sore throat that is frequent or recurring

These symptoms should have persisted or recurred during 6 or more consecutive months of illness and they cannot have first appeared before the fatigue.
The VA is still using outdated criteria to diagnose someone with CFS. Soldiers are being discharged from the Military, having been diagnosed with CFS, then when they go to the VA, they are told they do not meet the criteria.

VA definition.
For VA purposes, the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome requires:
(A) New onset of debilitating fatigue severe enough to reduce daily activity to less than 50 percent of the usual level for at least 6 months; and
(B) The exclusion, by history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, of all other clinical conditions that may produce similar symptoms; and…
49 votes

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VA denies compensation for respiratory illnesses during Gulf War

Program where vets can apply and be evaluated based on claim.

12 votes

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STOP THE LIES! LISTEN TO GULF WAR VETS! (REMEMBER VIETNAM/AGENT ORANGE)

Listen to the truth. Testimony by Gulf War Vet Anthony HardieVA staff must be forced by law to seek out, foster, and find the best Gulf War Illness treatment research aimed at improving the health and lives of those whose health has been impacted by their wartime exposures. To that and related ends, Congress should develop and pass legislation that includes:

1) A provision making it a crime punishable by federal imprisonment for a government employee or contractor to attempt to manipulate an IOM report ordered by a government agency, or for an IOM employee or member to conspire with a government employee or contractor for the purpose of manipulating a report.

2) A provision directing VA to immediately contract with the IOM for a study to determine the prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Gulf War and later veterans, as directed by P.L. 110-389, Section 804, and to provide criminal penalties for failure to comply.
3) A provision directing VA to immediately terminate the IOM case definition contract and contract instead with the DoD Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Gulf War Illness program to develop a case definition that is linked to Gulf War service and excludes mental conditions, and that follows customary case definition practices (including assembling a committee of experts in the illness, who can consult original data sources).

4) Provisions to defund mis-performing VA-OPH and DOD FHP functions.

5) A provision requiring VA to make the data obtained from its surveys available to qualified researchers subject to reasonable restrictions, similar to other agencies.

6) A provision requiring an addendum to the national Follow-Up Survey of Gulf War and Gulf War Era Veterans be sent immediately to the full survey cohort that asks the RAC’s recommended symptom inventory.

7) A provision requiring VA medical staff be trained in the new 2011 standards, which show Gulf War Illness is not psychiatric.

8) A provision mandating future VA Gulf War research be focused on developing effective treatments to improve the health and lives of ill Gulf War veterans.

9) A provision amending the statute requiring the reports (Section 707 of Public Law 102-585, as amended by section 104 of Public Law 105-368 and section 502 of Public Law 111-163), to provide that these annual VA research summary reports to Congress should include only those human studies in which 1990-1991 GW veterans represent at least a majority of the cases (vs. controls), and only those animal studies addressing exposures pertinent to the 1990-1991 Gulf War.

10) A provision requiring VA to contract with the DoD CDMRP Gulf War Illness research program, to conduct the review of best treatments for chronic multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf War veterans specified in Sec. 805(a) of PL 111-275, which VA staff manipulated into an inconsequential literature review.

11) Provisions providing adequate funding for Gulf War Illness research to identify effective treatments, including:
a) Provisions in the FY14 and subsequent DoD authorization and appropriations bills that allocate at least $25 million in annual DoD funding to the CDMRP Gulf War Illness research program;
b) Provisions in the FY14 and subsequent VA authorization and appropriations bills, requiring that VA spend at least $25 million annually on GWI research AND directing VA to contract with DoD CDMRP to conduct at least $20 million of VA-funded research as part of the CDMRP Gulf War Illness research program, as the CDMRP determines in its sole discretion.

c) Adequately funding research to identify treatments for Gulf War Illness is imperative now to make up for the twenty-two years lost while the federal government has obstructed this research.
12) Provisions in the FY14 and subsequent VA authorization and appropriations bills directing to expand the number, scope, reach, and funding for VA’s War Related Illness and Injury Study Centers (WRIISC’s).
13) A provision directing VA to implement the February 1, 2012 published RAC recommendations for the New Gulf War-Era Data Report.
14) A provision directing VA to implement the consensus Gulf War Illness Research Strategic Plan recommended by the RAC and NRAC, prior to unilateral VA staff revisions.
15) A provision mandating the continuation in perpetuity of the “Gulf War Review” and related quarterly veteran-oriented publications for veterans of other eras, which should include ongoing, clear updates free of “strategic health risk communication” minimization, on each newly concluding federally funded research study, and each benefits change relevant to the target population.

16) Provisions to correct injustices in the ratings for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.
17) Provisions strengthening the authority of the present Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses.
18) Provisions that repeal and replace portions of Presidential Review Directive-5/National Science and Technology Council (PRD-5/NSTC), and subsequent programs and governing regulations, including:
a) Provisions related to the use of investigational drugs and products on military service members.
b) Provisions related to health risk communication.
c) Provisions related to interagency applied research program on health risk communication for military members, veterans, and their families.
d) Provisions related to electronic communications with state and community public health departments to disseminate health risk information to veterans and their families through local public health infrastructure.
e) Provisions related to training local public health officials on the use of essential information technologies to disseminate and receive health risk information from veterans and their families.
f) Repeal and replace the Military and Veterans Health Coordinating Board (MVHCB).

19) A provision requiring the consistent federal government use of a term for “Gulf War Illness”.

B. Finally, as a group of 14 Gulf War veteran advocates has previously recommended, Congress should immediately develop and ensure the enactment of legislation to:
1) Reauthorize the expired provisions of the Gulf War Acts of 1998 [Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998 (Title XVI, PL 105-277); Title I of the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998 (PL 105-368)]
2) Provisions that explicitly and directly grant exposure-based service-connection presumptions to known, suspected, or plausible Gulf War exposures including:
a. Sarin (GB)
b. Cyclosarin (GF)
c. Sulfur Mustard (HD)
d. Tabun (GA)
e. Lewisite (L)
f. Soman (GD)
g. VX nerve agent
h. Particulates (PM2.5: sub-2.5 micrometer in size, which are respirable and too small to be removed by the lungs’ natural exfoliating processes)
i. Pyridostigmine Bromide (PB) nerve agent protective pills (NAPP)
j. Anthrax vaccine
k. Multiple vaccinations
l. Depleted Uranium (DU)
m. Chemical pesticides
3) A provision that grants exposure-based service-connection presumptions for exposures in (2) above for all U.S. servicemembers who served anywhere in the Southwest Asia theater of operations (38 CFR 3.317) or were awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal (32 CFR 578.27) for service between January 16, 1991 and the end of 1991. {Note: last oil well fire put out “by November” 1991}.
4) Require VA to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to identify a comprehensive listing of health conditions and symptoms, including chronic and delayed onset, which are associated in humans or animals with exposure to acute, subacute, and low levels for each of the named exposures in (2) above and explicitly and directly require VA to include each of these conditions as presumptives for Gulf War veterans as described in (3) above. The review should be explicitly required to include data from a comprehensive review of the medical literature, and to also include:
a. 1993 IOM report on WWII veteran Mustard/Lewisite experimentation survivors;
b. Medical literature assessing long-term health effects of the cohort of Iranian mustard-exposed veterans of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War;
c. Classified and unclassified published and unpublished research by the federal government, federal contractors, and federally funded entities into acute and long- term health effects of even low levels of the above named exposures;
d. Animal studies.
5) Ensure the perpetuity, without expiration, of adding new presumptive conditions as described in (4) above as they become identified by medical research.
6) Expand the definition of the Southwest Asia theater of operations, for purposes of all VA benefits including healthcare, to include service qualifying for the award of the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
7) Establish permanent eligibility by law for Priority Group 6 VA healthcare for veterans who have been awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
8) Require DOD to monitor, develop and retain accurate and detailed records regarding future troop hazardous exposures.
Stop the lies! Tell the truth! Compensate us! We are sick and are probably going to end up like the Vietnam Veterans. We'll finally get the truth/compensation when most of us are dead/gone.

Listen to the truth. Testimony by Gulf War Vet Anthony HardieVA staff must be forced by law to seek out, foster, and find the best Gulf War Illness treatment research aimed at improving the health and lives of those whose health has been impacted by their wartime exposures. To that and related ends, Congress should develop and pass legislation that includes:

1) A provision making it a crime punishable by federal imprisonment for a government employee or contractor to attempt to manipulate an IOM report ordered by a government agency, or for an IOM employee or member to conspire with…

145 votes

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Review Gulf war veterans Children/Spouses for possible defects due to GWI.

This was also a lost cause, the VA could not identify the veterans who where exposed. Do we really believe you checked our love one's. We the malingerers (As we have been referred to in the past) who have ,joint pain's,abnormal lab reading's, gained weight,lost weight, IBS,ALS,diabetic, Dypsnea,sleep apneas, PTSD,fibro,MS,spasms,arthritis,bone spurs and a host of other issues are tired of the BS. Justice for all. “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his
widow, and his orphan,”

46 votes

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The VBA's and the VAMH's just don't communicate with each other or verify the medical condition properly and timely.

As someone who had a great involvement with the VBA's and VHA's, I have witnessed too many times the misunderstanding or lack of communicating, coordinating and cooperation from both sides to the Veterans and Their Families. The VA uses their M-21R to base their decisions not Title 38 the regulatory law or follow the statutory law of 38 USC, they don't update their e-benefits for their current status, they don't communicate with the VSO's, CVSO's, and National or State VSO's on a continued basis. And I would highly suggest that every veteran who had served during the PGW, (1990-1991) be re-evaluated every two to five years. It took me almost 22 years to realize I needed help badly and I had recognized this because I was a Veterans Service Advocate with over 17 years of experience, but saying that we don't have any medical problems with Undiagnosed illnesses and yet they are diagnosed as illnesses by the VHA and not the VBA. Do you see a problem with this. Also our gallant media had informed all the people of the US that we all are either crazy, mentally ill, and useless to our society. Who's fault is it. THE VBA's and THE VHA's or is it our own DOD and politician's who want a Free Ride. It's WE THE People, WE THE VETERANS who need the help but just don't get it when asked. If it wasn't for our Vietnam Veterans and Warriors we wouldn't have gotten anything. CWO3 James K. Kaupe, Jr., USMC, (Ret. & Disabled).

As someone who had a great involvement with the VBA's and VHA's, I have witnessed too many times the misunderstanding or lack of communicating, coordinating and cooperation from both sides to the Veterans and Their Families. The VA uses their M-21R to base their decisions not Title 38 the regulatory law or follow the statutory law of 38 USC, they don't update their e-benefits for their current status, they don't communicate with the VSO's, CVSO's, and National or State VSO's on a continued basis. And I would highly suggest that every veteran who had served during the PGW, (1990-1991) be…

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Find a link, because I know it is there, I know to many vets who are like me

Common Symptoms include PTSD(some mild, some worse), antisocial behavior( not violent but more of a desire just to be alone), exhaustion to the point of having Chronic Fatigue syndrome symptoms, and nightmare or vivid dreams. Brothers, thanks for doing what you do and remember you are not alone.

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make the wriisc program available to all gulf war veterans

8 votes

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2012 Report of the Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF)

The Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses Task Force (GWVI-TF) 2012 Report

There are two ways to get more votes:

Common sence

Counseling

When I returned I was already having bad migraines, rashes, vertigo, Irritable bowell syndrome, joint pain, chronic pain and fatique just to

Sorry, VA, you have zero credibility; Yet we hope there will be some deliverance.

The complete text and data of any research, study, or report should be freely available on line to us.

Persian GUlf War Registry Washington DC VAMC, Desert Storm Doctor was incompetent.

VA Doctors need to not be "afraid" to diagnose GWS illnesses that are on the registry for compensation. Not 1 VA doctor will put their name

My ideas are very simple,it explains what most Gulf War Vets were exposed to.As most combat arms veterans know mission first.

Train VA doctors and nurse practitioners better about Gulf War related illness

Work with VA to develop a presumptive for the issues we are experiencing.

Fiduciary program revision

Sleep Apnea should be a Presumptive Condition for Gulf War Vets

How about adding anyone who worked around equipment from the Persian Gulf War to the Persian Gulf Registry

Use the CDC medicaly accepted definition of CFS.

VA denies compensation for respiratory illnesses during Gulf War

STOP THE LIES! LISTEN TO GULF WAR VETS! (REMEMBER VIETNAM/AGENT ORANGE)

Review Gulf war veterans Children/Spouses for possible defects due to GWI.

The VBA's and the VAMH's just don't communicate with each other or verify the medical condition properly and timely.

Find a link, because I know it is there, I know to many vets who are like me

make the wriisc program available to all gulf war veterans

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