57 results found

1. Contact local groups dav, vfw,american legion ,etc.

   We need to unite speak as one group not 15 groups. Some groups undermine other groups but we have the same goal.

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   completed  ·  7 comments  ·  Gulf War Illness  ·  Delete…  ·  Admin →

2. An army of one.

   create a protocol that deals with veterans with gulf war illnesses. There are so many different symptoms from Neurological to Dermatology to Mental Health to Rheumatology etc. Do a trial run with a special task force for a gulf war vet where all these doctors can come together and report all of there findings and recommendations to one clinician to come up with one treatment plan that best suites the individual.I see so many times that each specialist prescribes what they think will work under there specialty on top of the other doctors recommendations, overlapping drugs on top of drugs causing even more problems for the patient and decreasing the quality of life for the veteran.The main goal in my opinion would to be able to use the least amount of drugs and to optimize the mobility and functionality of the Vet, Also by doing this the Veteran is not being bounced around from doctor to doctor with no clue of what the next step is.

   create a protocol that deals with veterans with gulf war illnesses. There are so many different symptoms from Neurological to Dermatology to Mental Health to Rheumatology etc. Do a trial run with a special task force for a gulf war vet where all these doctors can come together and report all of there findings and recommendations to one clinician to come up with one treatment plan that best suites the individual.I see so many times that each specialist prescribes what they think will work under there specialty on top of the other doctors recommendations, overlapping drugs on top of drugs… more

   48 votes

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3. Gulf war vets need to find a way to bind together to get what we are due from our government

   Gulf war vets must find a way to get together and fight this together.
   The only way to win this fight is as a unit. We need to form a group for all gulf war vets and fight this with the same devotion as we fought for our country

   81 votes

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4. Seizure disorder should be presumptive

   I believe that seizure disorder or epilepsy should be made presumptive for gulf war illness. ALOT of gulf war vets have this and the VA blows it off as epilepsy and throws it out. If you check gulf war illness blogs, there are alot of vets complaining of seizures and what is the first symptom of sarin gas poisoning "SEIZURES".

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5. Homeopathic Treatment must be Accessable for GWI

   For 20 long mostly miserable and nerve racking years, I was told that all of my aches and pains and suffering was because I had PTSD from Desert Storm. My journey was filled with nightmares and actual pain physical. Every muscle and tendon in my body was on fire from the inside. I have been depressed beyond my wildest dreams or nightmares I should say. I have been extremely on edge. Ready to pounce on anyone , not nice at all. I went from job to job, relationship to relationship with extreme anger. I have brain damage from Desert Storm I have brain damage from DEsert STorm. From all the chemicals I was forced to live a life that wAs not me, I was negatively affected so bad that many times I thought of killing myself, sad but true. I never trust anyone and am always filled with a combination of DEath and despair. I can see nothing but death on a daily basis. I expect to die of a terrible brain disease anytime. My worst nightmare is that I have passed this on to my daughter. She is only 3 but I wonder if I have crippled her brain because of my exposure to War, she gets really really upset and has a skin rash dermatologist can't help with. M y wife is loosing her hair and we don't know why??? I think that THe Taskforce for Desert Storm should be open to the idea of combined procedures of different specialist doctors. Combine the Mind, Body , Spirit connection. We need to heal the mind . We need to get nutrients to our cells overload with antioxidants, proteins, and food for our brain. I Am desperate to some day have a normal life please help bring the scientific community combined with homeopathic and faith based information , along with therapies thAt have possibly worked for VEts to relax them and help enrich their lives and beat Brain DAmage..

   For 20 long mostly miserable and nerve racking years, I was told that all of my aches and pains and suffering was because I had PTSD from Desert Storm. My journey was filled with nightmares and actual pain physical. Every muscle and tendon in my body was on fire from the inside. I have been depressed beyond my wildest dreams or nightmares I should say. I have been extremely on edge. Ready to pounce on anyone , not nice at all. I went from job to job, relationship to relationship with extreme anger. I have brain damage from Desert Storm… more

   31 votes

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6. DOD/DOA Civilians who did tours of duty in Desert Storm/Shield feel forgotten and left out.

   As a DOA civilian who did 2 tours of duty in Desert Storm/Shield (along with many other civilians), seems we were left out on many aspects of GWI program. From alerting us about studies, care, info on what to do, issues we have/are dealing with..and this study because we weren't Act. Duty or Reservists. I scanned the report but it is unclear impacts or guidance will be for all of the DOD/DOA civilians who were on orders. I thought these odd things happening to me, was only happening to me. Turns out...they were text book symptoms of the GWI. Had my supervisor, by shear accident, in a new duty location not brought up the Gulf War, I would not have known of the Landstuhl Army hospital GWI physical, on the last day to apply...after the war concluded. I wonder how many civilians did not know a study and exam was happening? How many think their illnesses/issues are something just happening to them? How many know what is being done on this front for anyone else? DOD should have contacted all branches, to get, and keep on file a listing of DOD (and AAFES) Civilians to keep contact on any backgrounds, medical histories, GWI studies, exams, guidance and health service programs on GWI. For me, I was all over the theater and around during much of the detonation of excess ordinance. We stood shoulder to shoulder proudly with those in uniform..yet..even the wording in the report..feel again forgotten about. So, what about us? I continue to work..but I have no idea what I services can be provided for me (or all my civilian peers) for having served in the Gulf War.

   As a DOA civilian who did 2 tours of duty in Desert Storm/Shield (along with many other civilians), seems we were left out on many aspects of GWI program. From alerting us about studies, care, info on what to do, issues we have/are dealing with..and this study because we weren't Act. Duty or Reservists. I scanned the report but it is unclear impacts or guidance will be for all of the DOD/DOA civilians who were on orders. I thought these odd things happening to me, was only happening to me. Turns out...they were text book symptoms of the GWI. Had… more

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7. WE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND HAVE ILLNESSES THAT HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON US AND IT IS LIKE THE V.A. REFUSE TO HELP IN ALL AREA IT IS SO HARD FOR A

   WE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND HAVE ILLNESSES THAT HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON US AND IT IS LIKE THE GOVERMENT REFUSE TO HELP IN ALL AREA IT IS SO HARD FOR A GULF WAR VETERAN TO GET A CLIAMS APPROVED IT IS SAD WE NEED HELP THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE

   125 votes

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8. Visibility of VA Gulf War programs and the GW Task Force

   There is a problem when a entiity is not visible to the public. It operates internally making decisions that often are favorable only to that committee while not receiving tangible input from outside sources that might observe disparages the committee cannot. The GWVITF still operates as a closed door invisible entity with no website, no call in VANTS lines or ability to listen in to meetings, public minutes, or pretty much anything other than its annual reports. This is exactly how the defunct DOD Research Working Group functions that makes so many stale bad suggestions year in and out for Gulf War vets. Left to the government Legacy personnel on the task force, as long as this is allowed to operate in the dark it will function much like last year. Unenforceable on policy, and out of touch with a live public. Its clear that VA ORD has a very hand in keeping it this way and would object to anything that would change this. How the RAC steering committee has been stiff armed in all of this is a good example. There needs to be outside involvement on a monthly basis in Gulf War Illness policy from the veteran community that isnt censored or hand selected by VA to produce a OMB freindly good ole boy club to keep comments at bay. Such as the way DOD uses the excuse "If your not chartered by Congress then you cant attend" or should I say internal memorandum policies. Gulf War vets or I should say "Grass Roots" should be welcomed to participate like they were before 1999. When there were 33 of them and they showed up. The Bush administration created the "chartered only" mentality that has not benefitted Gulf War vets these last 10 years. To say there would be outreach would mean veteran involvement, and that has not been the case at least since 2009 when the VA ACGWV disbanded. So we have a problem here of policy and who is pushing it. Is this Presidential endorsed policy, or up to the staff under the Secretary of VA to alter. More has to be done than just saying "We will hear from you next year" and then censor our comments from this report as was done with last years report ( over 150 pages of materials left out ). Outreach cant be just left to VA internally as Environmental Agents had a budget for it and all but shut down on this to include the "Gulf War Review". This needs to be open, and the fact that the Task Force is a closed door entity shows that this to needs changes or some outside post on it. This isnt just a outreach issue, its a policy issue in dealing with the veteran community to include advisory committees. Which I now understand VA wishes to try and muscle the RAC into other committee meetings to save money having its own. What I have seen since the first GWVITF meeting is VA take darker and darker oppressive steps with the last veterans that try to work with it on Gulf war issues. So its time to build a new foundation of trust, restructure, and get rid of the legacy people who keep it in the past. Look to the future.

   There is a problem when a entiity is not visible to the public. It operates internally making decisions that often are favorable only to that committee while not receiving tangible input from outside sources that might observe disparages the committee cannot. The GWVITF still operates as a closed door invisible entity with no website, no call in VANTS lines or ability to listen in to meetings, public minutes, or pretty much anything other than its annual reports. This is exactly how the defunct DOD Research Working Group functions that makes so many stale bad suggestions year in and out for… more

   71 votes

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9. Getting better, but VA still staying away from GWI

   It seems that the regional offices are getting better with granting claims but they still don't want to use the words Gulf war illness. They would rather split up all of the illnesses and put them through separately, rather than just call it Gulf war illness for everything, very strange. But getting there

   108 votes

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10. more research is needed to find out about skin rashes on the body.

    have soliders come in and test them

    71 votes

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

    One of the most substantial additions to the framework is the Clinical Care line of effort. Clinical health care for Gulf War Veterans is one of the most critical services VA can provide. This line of action is directly supported by Clinical Education and Training to ensure VA providers are well prepared to care for this population. Clinical care also benefits from research and development and Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance which inform and direct the best in evidence-based healthcare. The GWVI-TF has developed a prototype for a networked Gulf War Clinic which will be implemented at the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the coming year. The clinic will link subject matter experts and clinical specialists with primary care providers to optimize the care delivered to these patients. Teaching aids, referral networks, and other collaborative processes will be exercised in this effort.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Clinical Care section of the report.

    One of the most substantial additions to the framework is the Clinical Care line of effort. Clinical health care for Gulf War Veterans is one of the most critical services VA can provide. This line of action is directly supported by Clinical Education and Training to ensure VA providers are well prepared to care for this population. Clinical care also benefits from research and development and Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance which inform and direct the best in evidence-based healthcare. The GWVI-TF has developed a prototype for a networked Gulf War Clinic which will be implemented at the Salt Lake… more

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12. Research and Development: Encouraging Targeted Efforts

    Through the Office of Research & Development (ORD), VA funds research that will further the goal of improving the health and lives of Veterans who have GWVI, the complex of chronic symptoms that affect Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. To improve specific management of the GWVI portfolio of research, ORD actively pursued staffing additions to support these efforts. ORD continued to support and advertise requests for proposals for GWVI research and collaborate with VA, DOD, and other research activities through professional collaboration events and forums. Additionally, with support from the Gulf War Research Steering Committee and input from the Research Advisory Council for Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, a GWVI Research Strategic Plan was drafted. This plan, combined with the targeted staffing changes, is expected to provide focus and accountability in this research portfolio.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Research and Development section of the report.

    Through the Office of Research & Development (ORD), VA funds research that will further the goal of improving the health and lives of Veterans who have GWVI, the complex of chronic symptoms that affect Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War. To improve specific management of the GWVI portfolio of research, ORD actively pursued staffing additions to support these efforts. ORD continued to support and advertise requests for proposals for GWVI research and collaborate with VA, DOD, and other research activities through professional collaboration events and forums. Additionally, with support from the Gulf War Research Steering Committee and input from the… more

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13. Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance: Taking Advantage of Untapped Sources of Data Related to Veterans’ Health

    Ongoing scientific review is critical to understanding the environment that impacts health. There are Veterans’ health-related data available from sources other than studies conducted by VA. Having access to and understanding these data sources is important in comprehending the complex array of adverse health effects associated with deployment. VA has developed and maintained active participation in ongoing longitudinal reviews and surveillance projects including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Department of Defense Millennium Cohort Study, and the VA National Study for a New Generation of U.S. Veterans. These programs help VA identify Gulf War Veteran health trends through focused comparisons with broader populations. VA has also engaged in more focused surveillance and epidemiologic learning regarding Gulf War through the additional study of Neurological Disease, a 30,000 Veteran study of 1990-1991 Gulf War Veterans, and ongoing Depleted Uranium and Toxic Embedded Fragment Surveillance Center and Registry work. Much of this work is longitudinal in nature (some continuing out into 2022), but results and findings from some are expected to be published in peer reviewed publications in the coming year.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Ongoing Scientific Review and Surveillance section of the report.

    Ongoing scientific review is critical to understanding the environment that impacts health. There are Veterans’ health-related data available from sources other than studies conducted by VA. Having access to and understanding these data sources is important in comprehending the complex array of adverse health effects associated with deployment. VA has developed and maintained active participation in ongoing longitudinal reviews and surveillance projects including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Health Statistics’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the Department of Defense Millennium Cohort Study, and the VA National Study for a New Generation of U.S. Veterans. These… more

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14. Partnerships: Improved Data Sharing with the Department of Defense (DoD)

    DoD and VA provide health care and benefits to the same population at different times in their lives. Environmental exposures occur during active duty whereas the potential clinical consequences can manifest later when the former service member is a Veteran. For this reason it is critical that VA and DoD share clinical and exposure data. The GWVI-TF continued to build robust relationships with DoD, through such forums as the Deployment Health Working Group, to ensure timely and thorough access to data related to military service. The experiences of the Gulf War Veterans continue to influence the development of ongoing data sharing efforts with DoD which should aid both Gulf War Veterans as well as generations of Veterans who follow.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Partnerships section of the report

    DoD and VA provide health care and benefits to the same population at different times in their lives. Environmental exposures occur during active duty whereas the potential clinical consequences can manifest later when the former service member is a Veteran. For this reason it is critical that VA and DoD share clinical and exposure data. The GWVI-TF continued to build robust relationships with DoD, through such forums as the Deployment Health Working Group, to ensure timely and thorough access to data related to military service. The experiences of the Gulf War Veterans continue to influence the development of ongoing data… more

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15. Veteran Outreach: Getting Out the Word and Listening to the Feedback

    VA is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans of all eras and their eligible family members and survivors by providing them with the benefits and services they have earned. As research shows there is a lack of awareness when it comes to specific services, and Gulf War Veterans continue to require and rightfully expect timely and accurate information about VA's efforts to support them, VA has worked to develop a proactive and systematic effort for providing this important information and assistance on VA's services and benefits. As a clearinghouse of Gulf War Veterans Illnesses (GWVI) information, VA maintained the Gulf War Veterans Illnesses website www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/ as a source of information for Veterans, Healthcare Providers, and other Stakeholders. VA conducted a number of GWVI specific outreach events and published news releases for key events during the past year. Moving forward, VA's outreach efforts for GWVI will increasingly leverage evolving technology and social media and work to significantly improve transparency regarding VA's work for this important Veteran population.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Veteran Outreach section of the report

    VA is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans of all eras and their eligible family members and survivors by providing them with the benefits and services they have earned. As research shows there is a lack of awareness when it comes to specific services, and Gulf War Veterans continue to require and rightfully expect timely and accurate information about VA's efforts to support them, VA has worked to develop a proactive and systematic effort for providing this important information and assistance on VA's services and benefits. As a clearinghouse of Gulf War Veterans Illnesses (GWVI) information, VA maintained the… more

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16. Veteran Benefits: Delivering Compensation and Pension and Fiduciary Services

    As research and environmental study evolves or new legislative and regulatory provisions are written regarding illnesses for Gulf War Veterans, the VA Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) performs necessary rule-making and develops field training to support the changes. To further assist Gulf War Veterans, Compensation Service developed two training letters designed to inform and instruct regional office personnel on development and adjudication of disability claims based on Southwest Asia service. VA also completed a regulation to add functional gastrointestinal disorders to the list of disabilities that are presumed to have resulted from service in the Gulf War. The final rule was published and became effective on August 15, 2011. VBA continues to work with the VA/DoD Deployment Health Working Group to identify environmental exposures whether related to the Gulf War or elsewhere. Finally, VBA worked with the VHA on an effort to develop and execute a separation health assessment with DoD, an effort that is intended to reduce the future burden of proving service connection that Veterans often must bear when seeking recognition for exposure-related illnesses and injuries years after service.

    Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Veterans Benefits section of the report.

    As research and environmental study evolves or new legislative and regulatory provisions are written regarding illnesses for Gulf War Veterans, the VA Compensation Service of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) performs necessary rule-making and develops field training to support the changes. To further assist Gulf War Veterans, Compensation Service developed two training letters designed to inform and instruct regional office personnel on development and adjudication of disability claims based on Southwest Asia service. VA also completed a regulation to add functional gastrointestinal disorders to the list of disabilities that are presumed to have resulted from service in the Gulf War.… more

    168 votes

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17. Clinical Education and Training: Putting Clinical Knowledge into Practice

    The GWVI-TF Clinical Education and Training effort focused on improving the VA’s ability to put critical clinical knowledge and expertise at the point of care. Where the Clinical Care work was aimed at synchronizing specialty and primary health care, this effort was in direct support, providing necessary clinical education, training, and subject matter expertise. The Veterans health Administration (VHA) Office of Public Health created a series of training modules now universally available online for patients and clinicians. Additionally, VA hosted a series of exposure seminars to enhance clinician knowledge about the health impacts of various environmental exposures. In the coming year, again in direct support of Clinical Care, this effort will publish an environmental health pocket card for primary care providers and collaborate in the formal development/improvement of a three tiered network of care presented in the prototype clinic for Gulf War health care.

    <p><strong>Please provide your comments, questions, and suggestion on how we may improve the Clinical Education and Training section of the report.</strong></p>

    The GWVI-TF Clinical Education and Training effort focused on improving the VA’s ability to put critical clinical knowledge and expertise at the point of care. Where the Clinical Care work was aimed at synchronizing specialty and primary health care, this effort was in direct support, providing necessary clinical education, training, and subject matter expertise. The Veterans health Administration (VHA) Office of Public Health created a series of training modules now universally available online for patients and clinicians. Additionally, VA hosted a series of exposure seminars to enhance clinician knowledge about the health impacts of various environmental exposures. In the coming… more

    36 votes

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