Nearly 700,000 men and women served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s.

Now, three decades later, as many as a third of that population are affected by a cluster of medically unexplained chronic symptoms that have plagued them following their return from deployment. The symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, joint pain, indigestion, bowel discomfort, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorders, skin problems and memory impairment. VA clinicians and researchers often call this condition “Gulf War illness” in medical literature.

VA researchers have been conducting various types of studies to better understand Gulf War illness (GWI), for which there are no proven treatments. The following is a sampling of the diverse nature of these studies.

Clinical trials

Deployed Gulf War Veterans experienced environmental and toxic exposures involving smoke, chemicals and other substances that are known to cause an excess of free radicals in the body’s cells, a scenario known as oxidative stress. Excess oxidative stress can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, contributing to an early onset of aging-related ailments. Exploratory studies using methods that support cell functioning and prevent or repair stress mediators suggest a role for targeted strategies, such as the coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10. The primary goal of this double-blind, Phase 3 trial is to determine if a treatment with ubiquinol, a form of CoQ10, is effective in increasing physical function and improving the quality of life for Veterans with Gulf War illness.

An ammunition specialist carries a 105mm armor-piercing, discarding sabot round, to be used in an M-1 Abrams main battle tank, during Operation Desert Shield.

An ammunition specialist carries a 105mm armor-piercing, discarding sabot round, to be used in an M-1 Abrams main battle tank, during Operation Desert Shield.

Biomedical research

The U.S. military considered the drugs that were intended to protect soldiers from a chemical attack and from insects to be safe at the doses administered. But those drugs combined, together with the stress of war, may have contributed to the development and persistence of Gulf War illness years later. Neurological symptoms of GWI include cognitive impairment, attention deficits, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms have been linked to abnormal immune function and chronic inflammation in GWI patients. Dr. Alpaslan Dedeoglu of the VA Boston Healthcare System and his team have provided evidence that an inflammatory process occurs in the brain using a mouse model of Gulf War illness. He’s now leading a study into whether GWI can be treated with fingolimod, an anti-inflammatory drug used for patients with multiple sclerosis. If successful, this project will provide data for comprehensive clinical trials for treating Gulf War illness using an anti-inflammatory strategy.

Rehabilitation

Veterans with GWI are at risk of developing chronic physical health conditions. Exercise is a cost-effective way to reduce the risk of many chronic ailments. But a major challenge for Veterans with Gulf War illness is that symptoms can worsen when one tries to become physically active, a phenomenon known as post exertion malaise (PEM). This study is measuring the link between aerobic exercise intensity and PEM. The researchers hope to take a first step toward providing a proven exercise plan for Veterans with Gulf War illness.

This study about the health experiences and treatment of Gulf War Veterans with chronic multi-symptom illness is expected to yield major insight into the features of effective care models and treatments, as well as satisfaction with care. “It will also create a rich, ongoing resource that can inform VA’s effort to improve customer service and care for Gulf War Veterans, including a specific focus on those with multi-symptom illness and their caregivers,” the researchers write. This research will identify better illness-specific health measures and promising therapeutic approaches that are appropriate to VA settings. Finally, the goal is to alert Veterans to be more engaged with the health system and VA research and policy processes, and to improve Gulf War Veteran communication with VA care providers.

Epidemiological research 

One of the most telling VA epidemiological studies on the health of Gulf War Veterans is a 2016 study by researchers in VA Post-Deployment Health Services. The study, based on data that were collected about 20 years after the Gulf War in 2012, found that Gulf War Veterans continue to report poorer health than those who served at the same time but did not deploy to the Persian Gulf. The study found that as many as 300,000 Veterans, or nearly 44% of those who took part in the Gulf War, self-reported that they have Gulf War illness, based on the latest data.

Observational

The Department of Defense estimates that more than 41,000 Veterans were likely overexposed to pesticides during the Persian Gulf War. In addition to pesticides, Gulf War Veterans were potentially exposed to many other chemicals and toxicants during the conflict. Research suggests a possible link between chemical exposures and Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that short-circuits the body’s motor system. The researchers for this study are investigating the link between toxic exposures during Gulf War deployment and prodromal Parkinson’s disease, which is when a person shows early signs of the health condition. The study includes 140 Gulf War Veterans with high levels of exposure to deployment-related chemicals. They are taking part in a series of experiments over a four-year period that are expected to provide important information on the long-term consequences of Gulf War illness in relation to aging and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s.

Registry enrollment

Veterans of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm are highly encouraged to enroll in two distinct and important VA clinical registries: the Gulf War Registry and the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. All Gulf War Vets are eligible to take part in both. The Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry includes an online questionnaire and an optional health exam at a VA medical center. Gulf War Veterans can contact their local environmental health coordinator to schedule an Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry health exam and to enroll in the Gulf War Registry.

Learn more about the burn pit registry in this Borne the Battle benefits breakdown.

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19 Comments

  1. Judith Estrada Garcia February 4, 2021 at 21:23

    20 years after my service in the Iraq war stationed on Jalibah Airfield with CH-53 Helicopters as a Marine I now have all the symptoms related to the Gulf War Illness. I am miserable. If I work out to help me stay healthy and keep my weight down, I end up feeling terrible for 5 days with joint pain, headaches, and overall malaise. I come from a very healthy family in fact I’ve never broken a bone or had surgery (except for giving birth to my children) and my mother is very healthy at the age of 82. I have so many problems walking and keeping up with her. I’ve always been strong and healthy but unfortunatly I feel I am going to be severely disabled before I am 60. I hope that we find help.

    I will say the VA has been amazing and helpful to me! I have nothing but great respect for all of them.

  2. Oswaldo Joubert February 4, 2021 at 11:30

    The shots got all of us. The government took us and then dropped us like a hot potato. Good luck with this Gulf War Presumption as we all went to the VA when we got out and they laughed us right out of the clinics and hospitals. I’ve had so many different diagnosis by the VA medical people that I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me. Then add on this COVID-19 bull crap and we can’t even get a face to face to see if we can get a test to see if we got the recent disease or not in the past year. It’s all so crazy in the VA. It’s like a joke to those who work at the VA CLINICS and the joke is on us Veterans. Sad still in the 21st century to see the same complaints and comments as those we saw 30 years ago with veterans. Nothing has changed.

  3. Charles Spencer January 17, 2021 at 12:49

    GO TO THE NATIONAL GULF WAR RESOURCE CENTER http://www.ngwrc.com . DOWNLOAD THE 2017 FREE GUIDE AND READ IT. IT TELLS YOU WHAT SYMPTOMS QUALIFY AND THOSE THAT DONT. CERTAIN SYMPTOMS ARE PRESUMPTIVE MEANING THE VA HAS TO SERVICE CONNECT YOU FOR THOSE SYMPTOMS.
    BE PREPARED FOR A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS, I RECOMMEND YOU GO TO A SERVICE OFFICER WITH ONE OF THE BIG VETS ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP YOU FILE. I HAD TO GO TO 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE OFFICERS TO FIND ONE THAT ACTUALLY KNEW WHAT PRESUMPTIVES ARE, IF THEY DONT KNOW WHAT PRESUMPTIVES ARE OR TELL YOU YOU NEED A NEXUS LETTER FROM A DOCTOR FOR CFS, FIBRO OR IBS, THEN WALK OUT AND GO FIND ONE THAT KNOWS THE LAW. READ THE GUIDE AND KNOW THE LAWS FOR YOURSELF AND YOU WILL PREVAIL.

    • Percy Penn January 28, 2021 at 19:33

      Presumptive??? I have been diagnosed with many of these “presumptive” issues, HOWEVER, I’ve been told that these particular diagnoses are not related to “Gulf War Syndrome” as they could be related to other issues … for example – joint pain –> that’s osteoarthritis or also called degenerative joint disease …. so because they were able to diagnose it to that, they said it wouldn’t come under “Gulf War Syndrome”. I figure they can do that with about anything if they wanted.

  4. Beverly A. Brown January 16, 2021 at 12:41

    I Want Yo Apply For Gulf War Registry

  5. Manuel Gonzales January 15, 2021 at 10:41

    Why haven’t I been diagnosed with the Gulf War Syndrome. I’ve had made statements about joint pains , unexplained skin rashes, sleep apnea,bad knees from wog day, hearing loss from jet blast and a noisy environment. Was onboard on the USS Ranger CV- 61,1989 to 1991. Dessert shield- Dessert Storm.

  6. Mike Richman January 15, 2021 at 08:22

    Gulf War Veterans should go to this site to find a coordinator at a VA hospital in your area to get an exam scheduled: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp.

    For all Gulf War treatments, you should be evaluated by your physician and specialists depending on your symptoms. The type of treatment depends on your evaluation. There is no single treatment for Gulf War illness. Supplements that are being researched are still exploratory, but things like yoga and other physical exercise might help some people who are affected. Some Veterans suffer from sleep disorders and sleep apnea, both of which should be treated by a specialist.

  7. Eric Pawelski January 15, 2021 at 03:17

    j

  8. Rena Maveety January 14, 2021 at 18:24

    there needs to be research into diabetes related to Gulf War Illness.

  9. Eugenia Thornton January 14, 2021 at 14:43

    thanks for sharing about the three digits..I thought I was an idiot would could not add..or worse that the VA really didn’t want any comments….
    My comment is that my husband had all GWI presumptives, including what appears to be new…mental…he had dementia…inflammation of the brain (white matter disease). He had all the others, too. I submitted claim for him, but dementia not considered at the time. I resubmitted in 2020, but he died before the VA finished their evaluation of my application. Then, I applied as his widow so I could finish the claim and I have heard NOTHING. This entire situation has been very frustrating.

    • Lyanna McKinney January 15, 2021 at 13:30

      Go see a (Disabled American Veterans) DAV Service Officer. Their job is to help you with your claims . . . .It’s free!

  10. Robert J Leonard January 14, 2021 at 11:17

    What is the compensation for a death related to this?Anyone lost another due to this?I have,so has his family.

  11. Cary lance mosier January 14, 2021 at 05:38

    How do you find out if you are on the registry. I requested a copy of it when i was active duty and never got it. I had the exam in 1996 or 7. When are we going to be told we have gulf war illness. I have known for years but i am not even rated for it. And what is being done for it. Nothing in my case.

  12. Feliza Deleon Williams-Fisher January 13, 2021 at 23:46

    I have applied for what was then called Gulf War Syndrome, and have been denied several times even though I had evidence from a Doctor who specialized in chemical sensitivity. He had my blood drawn and sent to California to a specialist who deals with the exact stuff your studies are talking about and told VA Vocational Rehab about it. They told me because of this and some other issues that came up that I was unemployable. I have been trying to get my compensation and I employability since then to no avail. I am glad you are doing studies like this that may help me.

  13. Robert E McCoy Sr January 13, 2021 at 22:58

    My name is SFC Robert E. McCoy
    U. S. Army Retired,
    During the Persian Gulf War I was assigned to 8th Evacuation Hospital and my specialty was Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare” Defense” Specialist, to include Decontamination of the, Equipment and Terrain. The Gulf War illness I nothing more than our blood had been contaminated. If you think about it, all the shots and pills and on top of those we were given the Experimental Anthrax Vaccine. The Hospital Commander LTC Tuer gave the Hospital soldiers a direct order as to not donate blood for 7yrs. Adding up everything that I endured tells me the Gulf War Illness was that our blood had been Contaminated!

  14. Mike Richman January 13, 2021 at 11:24

    As the author of this blog, I want to respond to your comments about the registry. Please go to this site to find a coordinator at a VA hospital in your area to get an exam scheduled: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp.

  15. Jeff Lydon January 12, 2021 at 07:12

    Yes the “Solve” problem at the end of the comments section is BROKEN, it only allows 2 digits for an answer, but the answer is always 3 digits. These guys who do this IT stuff must have failed the ASVAB.

  16. Anthony Shy January 10, 2021 at 09:48

    I have apply for Gulf War registry for years and have been denied. Response was I was not qualified. Several of my Unit has been awarded the registry for over a decade now. I would Encourage you to register me immediately. The answer below is 900. It will only allow two numbers in the box.

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