Noteboom The Law Firm

Deadline to Qualify for Disability Extended for Gulf War Veterans

In 2011, The Department of Veterans Affairs received massive amounts of feedback regarding the VA regulations for disability benefits for veterans of the Persian Gulf War. Title 38 CFR 3.317 of U.S. Law regarding pensions, bonuses, and veterans’ relief was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2011 but recent legislative changes have extended that deadline for another 5 years.

The new 2016 date means that Persian Gulf War veterans with undiagnosed or multisymptom illnesses may file a claim for veterans’ disability benefits as long as the condition manifests before December 31, 2016. Many Gulf War veterans have been evaluated for having multiple conditions such as diabetes, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia, yet haven’t been able to be diagnosed with a single condition relating them all.

The confusing nature of illnesses that cannot be medically explained has become known as “Gulf War Syndrome” and even though the VA doesn’t officially call the affliction by this title, veterans suffering from these unrelated conditions may potentially qualify for disability benefits without establishing a connection between the condition and their service in the Persian Gulf War.

Medical evaluations are critical to claiming medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses when a veteran is seeking disability benefits. With the 5 year extension to the eligibility laws, veterans of the Persian Gulf War are urged to have their conditions evaluated by a doctor to determine eligibility for veterans’ disability benefits.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.