Possible link between ALS and MS in Gulf War Veterans, and MS Presumptive Period
Possible link between ALS and MS in Gulf War Veterans, and MS Presumptive Period
page 33 of the 2012 draft report - "In addition, ORD is committed to funding research that improves VA’s understanding and ability to treat illnesses, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which may occur at higher prevalence in Gulf War Veterans."
It is my understanding research has shown ALS "does occur" at higher prevalence, and the VA's own webpage for MS Centers of Excellence states "New Study of Gulf War Era Veterans Shows High MS Incidence Rates". It is also my understanding MS rates increased substantially for the Kuwait population in the years following the first Gulf War.
I am curious as to why the words "may occur" (not a definitive statement) are still being used in the Task Force report. Is it still not known whether or not MS "does" or "does not" occur at a higher prevalence in Gulf War veterans?
I'm also curious as to the reasoning for the presumptive period regarding MS in relation to a service-connection disability. If MS is presumed to be related to military service, why is the connection tied to the individual's date of discharge?
I would encourage a study to determine the time period for when MS first manifested in First Gulf War Veterans who have this disease. In other words, if two Desert Storm veterans began showing symptoms of MS in 2001, with one being discharged in 1992 and the other being discharged in 1998, it is my understanding only the latter would be considered service-connected.
In the event MS "does" occur at a higher prevalence in Gulf War Veterans, or veterans in general, I would submit it should be a presumptive disease, without any restrictions (ie the seven-year period). I would think doing studies which include all veterans with MS, not just ones who are "service-connected" would serve to help understand potential causes and possible treatments for this disease, helping not just veterans, but the entire MS population.
Respectfully,
A First Gulf War Veteran
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Anonymous commented
My husband is a gulf War vet. He was just diag with ppms. They say it's been too long since he got out to be service related. Antoine have new proof?
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Steve commented
I have MS and as a veteran the 7 year question stumped me too. Congress set the year date and it is arbitrary . No medical knowledge informed Congress on the time designation.
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Mike Smith commented
The VA will cover the cost of your treatment and meds if you served in SW Asia as they believe neurological issues in this population cannot be ruled out because of "environmental concerns". That's a fact! Don't let anybody tell you different! Now, the VA may deny a disability because the testing will go on until we're all dead and, until they're complete, they'll have no definitive proof of the cause of these neurological illnesses... So, they'll treat you and pay for it but never admit to any link to SW Asia service. What a scam!
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Angela commented
I am a Persian Gulf Veteran and among numerous other disabilities, I have been diagnosed with slit like ventracles of my brain, empty brain cella (collapsed pituitary gland), pineal brain cyst, chari malformation and now MS. Yet the VA had denied me for every persian gulf claim i have applied for including' high blood pressure, fibromyalgia,IBS, rashes,COPD,DDD and i didnt quite know how to lable the miscarriages and birth defects of my 3 babies that died. I feel so betrayed by this country and no matter what i get diagnosed with the va says i was born with it. I nust wish someone would help. Im screaming inside!
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Anonymous commented
I've been fighting the VA since I returned home from the Persian Gulf in April of 1991. I have been denied 6 times for compensation but let me tell you; they want you to give up! They WANT you to feel defeated but what all of us need to do is KEEP AT IT. Keep appealing the denials because in the end (if you live long enough) they will give you the compensation we all most certainly deserve. I was actually told by the VFW that I wasn't there long enough to get sick! Of course the person who told me this had never served ONE HOUR in the military. I guess that is the only advice I can give. It took me 24 years to get a rate of 70% and I am still fighting. I will continue to do so until the day they put me in the ground.
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Leighanne commented
I am a Gulf War vet and spent almost a year over there as a 91A-Medic that was activated with my Reserve unit. As a 91A I was quickly transferred from my Combat Support Hospital to an Ambulance Company out of Germany, so saying that our Ambulances went where they needed us. I had injured my back in basic training in 1988, but other than that I was extremely healthy and only went for a check up once a year.
Since I returned from Desert Storm I went to the VA and did the Gulf War registary list. From that check up the VA doctor even wrote in my medical file that I have Gulf War Syndrome and PTSD---filed for compensation and of course came back--Denied and Not service related (Really)! Since that point I have felt like a complete hypochondriac with having to constantly go to the doctors for one illness to another. Many times the doctor would say things like you need more exercise or you need to lose weight or just I don't see anything wrong! Last year I had a stroke at 46 and while in the hospital they also diagnosed me with MS. Now before you start to agree too quickly with the initial doctors--I am a single mom with 3 kids and I have been a postal carrier for many, many years so how much more exercise did I need or the weight that I gained, not from overeating but from the Exhaustion along with several other symptoms from the MS that wasn't diagnosed because they were lazy and did not do their job!
So here I am now with my 3 kids, no insurance, can not work, no place to live and the VA and the Government on both sides saying " It's not our fault ".It"s not service related! So how can you honestly tell a once extremely healthy person that!
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Ken commented
I'm a gulf war vet and was stationed in UAE and Saudi; never in Iraq or Kuwait. Diagnosed with MS 1996. I still don't know what vaccine "A-1" was and I was forced to have it.
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Anonymous commented
People, people, why is everyone sounding so angry? The VA is only living up to its motto, Lie, Deny, until we Die. There are still Vietnam veterans who're begging and pleading with the VA for assistant with the affects of Agent Orange. What I find really frustrating, is how the VA will go against their own policy ie, certain illnesses veterans are assumed to have, yet and still, the VA will deny compensation for your claim of the very same illnesses you are assumed to have; how the hell?
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Edmon commented
I'm being tested now for all that stuff. I'm 41 years old I was in from 91-95... And yes I was in the battle zone for more than 30 days. The doctor said I have either Gulf War Syndrome or MS.....I have undergone a spinal tap and 1 MRI.. One without contrast my second MRI is today it will have the contrast or die in it.
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Anonymous commented
JKENT,,,ANY NEWS
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Tammy commented
In another 20 years, the medical/ scientific community will agree that Gulf War Illness, is a neurological degenerative disease, that fits between MS, and ALS. They will not admit it, until over 1/2 of us are dead, + 10 years.
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Anonymous commented
Many years ago, Congress ordered the VA to study the prevalence of MS, in Desert Storm vets. To date, the VA has ignored the intent of Congress.