36 results found

1. Use the Gulf war registry, use the GW vtes problem lists. There is many things we have wrong, that is common between us.

   The data is there, stop trying to reinvent the wheel every time. We all have sleep problems, a combination of no rem sleep, and central sleep apneas, yet every doc wants all of us to go through trying all the meds, even though they have not worked for other GW vets. Recognize sleep disturbances w/ sleep apnea, as compensable illnesses. We all have bad migraines, yet some get compensation, and others don't, depends on the way the wind was blowing when the RQ decided the claim.
   Do some meaningful nationwide research on our problems. Not this stuff of mindfullness training, that is only tested on a small number of vets in the SLC area.

   The data is there, stop trying to reinvent the wheel every time. We all have sleep problems, a combination of no rem sleep, and central sleep apneas, yet every doc wants all of us to go through trying all the meds, even though they have not worked for other GW vets. Recognize sleep disturbances w/ sleep apnea, as compensable illnesses. We all have bad migraines, yet some get compensation, and others don't, depends on the way the wind was blowing when the RQ decided the claim.
   Do some meaningful nationwide research on our problems. Not this stuff of mindfullness training,… more

   318 votes

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   started  ·  AdminJKent (Admin, Department of Veterans Affairs) responded

   George,

   Thanks to the new “idea” for the feedback site. I look forward to more comments and feedback to your idea and others.

2. Diabetes and desert storm is also an issue!

   Check on linking diabetes to list of medical illnesess from Desert Shield and Storm, a lot of vets have it ,munitions, oil, fires, PB etc etc.

   176 votes

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3. 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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4. Late showing of symptoms

   Most of returned without signs or symptoms so we did not report to sick call on active duty. Now, with symptoms that are reported in GW reports, vets are denied because of NOT reporting conditions while on active duty.

   247 votes

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5. STOP blamming it all on age and fat,,,,,

   I been told ever since I left active duty that all my problems were from something other that what I contracted from over there. It's al because I failed to complain about it right off cause I had to much self respect to report it.....we were frowned upon for looking for help and was told nothing was wrong with us when we did look for help.....Now all my problems are blamed on something other than what the military caused in me. I spend most of my time getting test done and taking more medicines than I should be cause they wanna call it something else. I am a nurse in the medical field......I know what I should be experiencing and I know what I should be doing to help it but the Doctors at the VA have been well trained in saying that something else ( age and weight) is to blame.

   I been told ever since I left active duty that all my problems were from something other that what I contracted from over there. It's al because I failed to complain about it right off cause I had to much self respect to report it.....we were frowned upon for looking for help and was told nothing was wrong with us when we did look for help.....Now all my problems are blamed on something other than what the military caused in me. I spend most of my time getting test done and taking more medicines than I should be cause they… more

   190 votes

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6. 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… more

   145 votes

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7. Dont tell us that its our work or way of life.

   We are Proud Vets, We don't come to you because we want you to make us feel all warm and cuddly. We are not stupid either. We see our coworkers do the same job as we do, our friends doing the same chores. But they are not wrecked at the end of the day or simply cant do it.

   66 votes

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8. 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… more

   49 votes

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9. 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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10. Set up a forum for the docs, let all docs treating us, have a stake in the research.

    Set up a forum, specifically for the docs treating the gulf war vets. Let them discuss amongst each other what problems they see, and what they find that works, and does not work.
    Have researchers post their findings, and let the docs discuss their implications.
    Several GWI researchers have proven that we have brain damage, yet none of my docs know, or care.
    We all have complex migraine issues, yet we all have to start out with Tylenol for 6 months, to prove it is not helpful.

    32 votes

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11. Every Year That Passes I see LESS and LESS about PB Pills and Khamisiyah, Iraq

    As time passes on and each new GW report comes out I am sad, but not shocked, to see less and less about our exposure to Pyridostigmine Bromide Pills and Sarin Nerve Agent exposure at Khamisiyah Ammunition Depot. If we use the same timeline for the VA to recognize our GW illnesses as they did with Vietnam and Agent Orange, I figure about the year 2026 everyone of us will be able to finally get some closure. We must not let our anger about what is happening to all of us get in the way of how things work in our government, we must not be suprised, appalled, or disgusted. It is what it is and we must all Soldier on and make the best of the situation and do our best for those that follow after us.....like my son with two tours of duty under his belt. Our goverment has all the information and resources it needs to figure this out, and one day it will, quite miraculously, i'm sure.

    As time passes on and each new GW report comes out I am sad, but not shocked, to see less and less about our exposure to Pyridostigmine Bromide Pills and Sarin Nerve Agent exposure at Khamisiyah Ammunition Depot. If we use the same timeline for the VA to recognize our GW illnesses as they did with Vietnam and Agent Orange, I figure about the year 2026 everyone of us will be able to finally get some closure. We must not let our anger about what is happening to all of us get in the way of how things work in… more

    11 votes

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12. gulf war tracking system for exposed veterans should be cross referenced with Allied Forces Gulf War Veterans Data Bases for Treatments. En

    Neurologists in colleges around the world should be presented with the challenge to solve Gulf War Syndrome. Give them a "Dr. House" problem.

    If you open it to the upcoming doctors that have no prejudices, or drug company lobby backing them or military choke hold on them you may actually solve the problem. We have assumed that all the Task Forces have had the military members interest at the root, when in fact they are using tomb stone rational instead. What is tomb stone rational? It is used in many industries such as aviation, wait until a flaw causes enough deaths to make it necessary to fix it. In Gulf War Illness' case, they let Gulf War Syndrome people die anonymously without fan fare, no news reports at rates so excessive that it would shock the public if it were published.

    So, I offer that you need an "uncontaminated" doctor foundation to actually study Gulf War Syndrome to solve the problem. One that has no political interest. That would have to be the new doctors too young to remember the Gulf War in the first place.

    Neurologists in colleges around the world should be presented with the challenge to solve Gulf War Syndrome. Give them a "Dr. House" problem.

    If you open it to the upcoming doctors that have no prejudices, or drug company lobby backing them or military choke hold on them you may actually solve the problem. We have assumed that all the Task Forces have had the military members interest at the root, when in fact they are using tomb stone rational instead. What is tomb stone rational? It is used in many industries such as aviation, wait until a flaw causes enough… more

    4 votes

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13. Compensation

    If certain conditions are presumptive from Gulf War Illness, then the VA should compensate veterans immediately - similar to that of Agent Orange of the Vietnam era. If the veteran was there, received the Southwest Asia Medal and/or Combat Action ribbon, they should receive a minimum of 30% compensation. If the veteran shows signs of additional conditions at a later time, they file a claim for compensation and should get additional compensation. I am currently at 70% disabled due to PTSD and sinusitis. From these 2 conditions, I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea (using a CPAP), erectile dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and panic disorder. All these are secondary conditions attributable to PTSD. Yet I am still awaiting compensation from the VA for these secondary conditions - over 2 years. Social Security Administration says I am unemployable due to my PTSD and panic disorder - yet the VA has yet to say I am unemployable. I have not worked since early 2010, and have relied solely upon compensation and retirement pay. When a veteran files for conditions and secondary conditions for Gulf War Illness, it should take precedence over other claims for compensation - just like the claims for Agent Orange additional conditions and illnesses. It is taking way too long for the VA to process claims and appeals - this is bad customer service and we as veterans deserve the best service available.

    If certain conditions are presumptive from Gulf War Illness, then the VA should compensate veterans immediately - similar to that of Agent Orange of the Vietnam era. If the veteran was there, received the Southwest Asia Medal and/or Combat Action ribbon, they should receive a minimum of 30% compensation. If the veteran shows signs of additional conditions at a later time, they file a claim for compensation and should get additional compensation. I am currently at 70% disabled due to PTSD and sinusitis. From these 2 conditions, I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea (using a CPAP), erectile dysfunction, sleep… more

    7 votes

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14. Its Not All In My Head

    Unfortunately, PTSD has been the DX of choice by many Physicans that do not have the time or answer to all the symptoms - everything from ALS, lymphnode probs, thyroid, strokes in hyperthalmus at the age of 30, rashes, Sleep Apnea, early age dxs of protate cancer, war vet Moms access to common symptoms of their children's issues - Despite probs in VA they've made some progress since my 1st visit in 1992 - still have thyroid disease, lymphnode and other probs that haven't been addressed seriously or compensated for - there's still a lot more Public Officials should be doing to improve recognition, treatment and compensating for...Jen R.I.

    Unfortunately, PTSD has been the DX of choice by many Physicans that do not have the time or answer to all the symptoms - everything from ALS, lymphnode probs, thyroid, strokes in hyperthalmus at the age of 30, rashes, Sleep Apnea, early age dxs of protate cancer, war vet Moms access to common symptoms of their children's issues - Despite probs in VA they've made some progress since my 1st visit in 1992 - still have thyroid disease, lymphnode and other probs that haven't been addressed seriously or compensated for - there's still a lot more Public Officials should be… more

    13 votes

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15. 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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16. 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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17. Doing more than dictating policy once a year to veterans via this forum as its contents are either ignored or censored for content

    Public comments have been made over the last 2 GWVITF reports that either were ignored completely or were altered for content. Then on top of that the task force operates in secret vacumn the rest of the year with no public involvement ( website ) as it endorses the careers of its members who in some cases have no place in this arena. You have no authority and cant even get simple things done like the publishing of the Gulf War Review or any type of oversight into failing programs issues, or reports, The March 13th House VA subcommittee had a hearing wherein former VA employee Steven Coughlin expressed just how far VA was willing to go to fudge Gulf war statistical data rather than in favor of the veterans. Showing a even more hostile environment set on labeling GWI vets as somatic rather than giving them the true benefit of the doubt. The only advantages so far in any of this was the retirements of Joel Kupersmith and John Gingrich which at least got rid of 2 obstacles to progress. This Task Force endorses things such as the Biorepository which I know VA has tampered with so bad that for 7 years it got no donations. Its nothing like what I fought to get to replace the defunct AFIP sample vault that did not make its samples available like it should. You guys need to come clean, meet publicly with GW vets - advocates - grass roots, and actually do some thing we asked for rather than doing your annual reports that dont even really include our suggestions. This should be bidirectional and its not. In fact, Im pretty sure you will remove this in the morning as you will censor this as that people can follow your other preselected ideas you want folks to endorse.

    Public comments have been made over the last 2 GWVITF reports that either were ignored completely or were altered for content. Then on top of that the task force operates in secret vacumn the rest of the year with no public involvement ( website ) as it endorses the careers of its members who in some cases have no place in this arena. You have no authority and cant even get simple things done like the publishing of the Gulf War Review or any type of oversight into failing programs issues, or reports, The March 13th House VA subcommittee had… more

    19 votes

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18. More studies need to be performed on GW Veterans

    As a Gulf War Veteran, I have suffered from digestive issues since returning in April of 1991. I have had numerous procedures and "FINALLY" I have a specialist actually going to look at my small bowel. This is the very first time EVER that a specialist has made mention of this examine. So my suggestion is if there are thousands of service members suffering from digestive issues and they are part of this Gulf War Illness Task Force, I would suggest that the gastroenterology do both procedures as the same time, colonoscopy and an endoscopy. If nothing comes of that, then they need to have the service member swallow a camera to examine the small bowel, simply because the scopes can not reach that organ because of the location. There is also blood work that can be done to see if there is a certain parasite in our system causing these problems. Just because a Veteran has multiple issues with their stomachs/digestive system don't give them a diagnosis because then they will have more concerns. If you don't know what is causing our problems, put down "UNDIAGNOSED ILLNESS." It is always better to have something "unknown" then to give it a name and then find out that you truly never had it. Stop taking all the short cuts and do the right thing. It is about time that VA owns up to the fact that the PB pill is linked to a majority of our health issues. My question is on all these studies that have been conducted has there been enlisted personnel included on these studies? If not, then why? I only ask b/c it seems as though all of the segments that I see on the news; 60 minutes, CNN and other news outlets the only ones that seem to be getting everyone's attention is the officers. Why is that? Isn't it time that you actually interview and study those of us that actually were exposed to certain elements while in theater? It is hard for me to grasp that with all this technology we have today that the amount of money VA has approved in the past; 2.8 million dollars in 2010 that you have not found out what has caused these health problems in us Veterans. There are residuals that have been caused by the GWS and yet you have no answers, why? I mean in 2010 VA approved 2.8 million dollars for research, in early 2013 funding was reduced from 15 million to 4.9 million but yet there is no more information today then there was two decades ago. So where is the money going if there is no research being done? Who's pockets are getting fatter, while us service members try to figure out what is wrong with us? I don't know about other Veterans but I am sick and tired of my health condition. Now don't get me wrong, I have always been proud to say that I served my country with true honor and I would never turn my back on her; unlike our elected officials, the VA and countless other organizations have done. How can anyone that is affiliated with the VA, who is in a position to make something happen just close their eyes to what is right in front of them? Whatever happened to 'ethics' in the work place as well as in your personal life? So according to a report from the Environmental Health Perspective dated 19 Sept 2011 those of us in the Army that wore uniforms treated with pesticides, and took the PB pills were more than likely subjected to multivariables. This publication can be located on http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003399 and the research belongs to Lea Steele, Antonio Sastre, Mary M. Gerkovich and Mary R Cook. There is also an interesting article in January/February 2012 magazine in reference to Gastrointestinal system and how it is linked to the deployments and service members still have issues long after their deployments have ended, note my deployment ended in April of 1991 and I have had to deal with this for 22 years. Wake up VA and take care of us. Just like the many comments about sleep apnea should be an automatic for those of us serving in theater. This diagnose is something that truly is linked to the Gulf War and there should not be any questions asked when a service member shows proof of this disability.

    As a Gulf War Veteran, I have suffered from digestive issues since returning in April of 1991. I have had numerous procedures and "FINALLY" I have a specialist actually going to look at my small bowel. This is the very first time EVER that a specialist has made mention of this examine. So my suggestion is if there are thousands of service members suffering from digestive issues and they are part of this Gulf War Illness Task Force, I would suggest that the gastroenterology do both procedures as the same time, colonoscopy and an endoscopy. If nothing comes of that,… more

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19. Nurological deficits from Pyrostigmine Bromide, Environmental Exposure, and Sarin Gas.

    After being evaluated by a Neuropsychologist and a baseline established each review thereafter suggested that the conditions were progressively getting worse. I am to the point that I have bad tremors, random crossing of the eyes, dominant hand deficit, cognition deficit, balance issues, etc. When I asked the psychologist what was happening she said that neurologic toxins work in two ways; systemically or dynamically. That is in the first case consistent and on-going neurologic damage and in the second, it would be a one time event with no further deterioration. In my case it was systemic, and the events that have occurred over time support that conclusion. We were billeted next to a Saudi trash dump that burned night and day and the smoke hovered over our area. Saudi's are not environmentally conscience. We patrolled when oil wells soaked our skins and clothing. We were told to take PB a medication used to treat other kinds of medical conditions, unapproved injections for biologic warfare, and finally CBR alarms would go off in our cantonment area after SCUD attacks. That is not to say they had Sarin payloads, only that prior munitions loaded into them may have contaminated them. Shooting down a SCUD does not render it harmless; all that junk still falls to the ground.

    I was told by my Psychologist that the government will never admit to this since the mantra at the time was there were no CBR in theater and not to look for any serious treatment or further investigation.

    I believe that the Task Force needs to buckle down and do serious research without government bias and try to determine what kind of neurological issue each vet has, and what kind of treatment protocol needs to take place to at least let each vet have some quality of life instead of the "Deer in the Headlight" looks we get from our PCP. Maybe our PCPs really don't know what to do. We need to smarten them up.

    After being evaluated by a Neuropsychologist and a baseline established each review thereafter suggested that the conditions were progressively getting worse. I am to the point that I have bad tremors, random crossing of the eyes, dominant hand deficit, cognition deficit, balance issues, etc. When I asked the psychologist what was happening she said that neurologic toxins work in two ways; systemically or dynamically. That is in the first case consistent and on-going neurologic damage and in the second, it would be a one time event with no further deterioration. In my case it was systemic, and the events that… more

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20. Y'all are the smartest dumb people I have ever seen !

    Just pay everybody compensation who served there and call it a day.

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