Gulf War Vets Get Longer Period to Apply for Health Compensation
Feb 2, 2012
Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) February 2, 2012 – The Department of Veterans Affairs made a last-minute decision to extend the deadline for Gulf War veterans to develop symptoms of war-related illnesses for five more years, according to the VA.
“This is an important step by the VA to acknowledge that we simply do not know enough about the chronic illnesses veterans have developed as a result of the Gulf War,” said veterans disability lawyer Jim Fausone with Legal Help for Veterans. “The VA should not be cutting anyone off who is still developing symptoms from that war.”
Veterans will be eligible to apply for compensation for what the VA calls Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses until the end of 2016.
Many veterans returned home from the Gulf War with chronic pain and illnesses from headaches and memory loss to joint pain and fatigue. Medical professionals have had a difficult time pinning down the exact causes and treatments for some of the reported symptoms. The VA, in response, has agreed that chronic issues suffered for six months or more that a veteran thinks is related to his or her service in the war are presumed to be war-related.
“We owe it to these veterans to continue to research Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses so that we can find causes and cures,” Fausone said. “More research can help the medical community treat Gulf War veterans and prevent future soldiers from having similar problems.”
About 700,000 service members were deployed to the Middle East during the Gulf War in 1990 and 1991.
James G. Fausone is a Veterans disability lawyer and Veterans attorney with Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC. To learn more or to contact a Veterans disability attorney or Veterans lawyer call 1.800.693.4800 or visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC
41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101
Northville, MI 48168
Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800
