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Veterans

Gulf War Veterans

More than 650,000 Service members served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect. This means that anyone who served on active duty from August 2, 1990, to present is considered a Gulf War Veteran. For example, the Veterans Pension benefit requires service during a wartime period. Therefore, any Veteran who served on active military service for any period from August 2, 1990, to the present meets the wartime service requirement.

VA Benefits

Gulf War Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses

Certain illnesses and diseases are "presumed" by VA to be related to your military service in designated areas of Southwest Asia and may entitle you to VA disability compensation benefits. For Gulf War Veterans, these presumptive diseases include:

  • Medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called "Gulf War Syndrome").
  • Certain infectious diseases.
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service.

Learn more about VA benefits for Gulf War Veterans:

Gulf War Veterans may still seek to establish service connection individually for other, "non-presumptive" diseases and illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. Learn more about qualifying for disability compensation for non-presumptive conditions on the Compensation website.

How to Apply

The specific VA benefit or program web page will provide tailored information about how to apply for a particular benefit or program. Generally, Servicemembers, Veterans, and families can apply for VA benefits using one of the methods below.

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