Gulf War syndrome or Gulf War illness is a chronic and multi-symptomatic disorder affecting returning military veterans of the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War. Please note that the designated areas include specific bodies of water and the airspace above all areas listed below. Like all veterans, Gulf War veterans are eligible for disability compensation for service-connected disabilities that first occurred or were worsened during military service. Definitions a. Definitions a. Most veterans will have little difficulty proving service in the Persian Gulf. †Period of War Dates: Korean Conflict June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955; Vietnam Era February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for veterans serving in the Republic of Vietnam or August 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 for all other cases; Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990 – current. Combat Service. determination of combat veteran eligibility. Service members who served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. Another common myth that revolves around is that a person qualifies to be a veteran if he or she takes a military retirement. Gulf War Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. After my ETS I had a DD214 and a NGB 22. The VA Regional Office will make a determination as to whether a Veteran qualifies as having Gulf War Service before requesting a Gulf War General Medical examination. There have been some changes to the eligibility and claims period for Gulf War Veterans concerning presumptive illnesses.Because of the mystery of the illnesses Gulf War Veterans have experienced, the rules seem to be ever changing, and we expect that to possibly continue into the future. of Veterans Affairs recognizes that many Gulf War veterans experience a number of ailments including digestive problems, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, joint pain, memory problems and respiratory difficulty. 1. For instance, veterans who served in the Gulf War have reported a range of medical conditions, not all of which add up to a single diagnosis. These veterans served in Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and other areas in the Middle East. Combat Service. However, many veterans who suffer from undiagnosed conditions often have a harder time proving the extent of their disabilities. A wide range of acute and chronic symptoms have been linked to it, including fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive problems, insomnia, rashes and diarrhea. The American Legion Gulf War Era Benefits&Programs A Guide for Veterans and Their Families Basic Benefi ts for Gulf War Era Veterans & Families Don’t do it alone. I served a total of 3 years, and 5 years IRR, President Bush stated at that time that anyone who had served active duty during the Persian Gulf War was considered a veteran. Linney served in the Army from from 1993 to 1996. 1. Southwest Asia Theater of Operations gulf war veterans who suspect Gulf-related causes for their illnesses. Although military retirees are also veterans, that doesn’t mean that they became veterans only when they retired. Most veterans will have little difficulty proving service in the Persian Gulf. For example, the Veterans Pension benefit requires service during a wartime period, so any Veteran with active military service since August 2, 1990 meets the wartime service requirement. Tanya Boozer, a Desert Storm veteran and veteran advocate, and who runs a Gulf War Veterans Facebook page, also said Linney is a Gulf War veteran. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect. The U.S. Dept. I enlisted Sept 27, 1990 with the Army National Guard, I left for Ft McClellan on Oct 18, 1990, I returned back March 6, 1991.