Noteboom The Law Firm

New Task Force Created to Research Gulf War Illness

December 29, 2010 - Almost 700,000 soldiers were deployed to the Persian Gulf between August 1990 and June 1991 as part of Operation: Desert Shield, Operation: Desert Storm, and other operations that were carried out throughout the Gulf region. While the operations are long over, the persistent medical problems affecting Gulf War veterans are still in full swing.

The Gulf War Illness Task Force was created because of the massive amount of disability claims, denials, questions, concerns, and confusion surrounding Gulf War Illness. The Task Force will continue their research for 3-5 years. Early findings revealed about 25% of reporting veterans detailed symptoms of what is now called "Gulf War Veteran Illness."

Those symptoms include:

• Chronic fatigue;
• Weakness;
• Gastrointestinal problems;
• Cognitive dysfunction;
• Sleep interruptions;
• Persistent headaches;
• Skin disorders;
• Lung problems; and
• Mood disorders.

The current belief that is Gulf War Veteran Illness developed due to soldiers being exposed to environmental toxins. No longer is it believed to be a product of veterans' mental illnesses. Following the Gulf War, soldiers were deployed to Kuwait with a mission to clean depleted uranium tanks. All the soldiers exposed to the depleted uranium became seriously ill.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) learned their lesson with Agent Orange and how not to handle these types of situations. The VA has earmarked $2.8 million for research into specific treatments for some of the symptoms of which many veterans are complaining. Being out and open about Gulf War Veteran Illness is the VA's best tactic.