Public Health
Benefits Overview for Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses
VA offers health registry exams, health care, disability compensation and other benefits to eligible Gulf War Veterans. Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits.
Health care for Veterans
Gulf War Veterans may be eligible for:
- Gulf War Registry health exam, a free exam for possible long-term health problems associated with Gulf War service during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation New Dawn. You don't need to be enrolled in VA health care to take part.
- Health care, a full range of medical benefits. There are many ways a Veteran may qualify.
Disability compensation for Veterans
Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation if they have a service-related disability and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
VA has recognized medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called "Gulf War Syndrome") and certain infectious diseases as associated with military service in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations.
VA also presumes that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans with 90 days or more continuous active military service is related to their service. ALS, however, is not associated with a specific military exposure.
Gulf War Veterans are eligible for presumptive conditions due to exposure to airborne hazards. Find these conditions in the Health Care and Benefits section of the Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures web page.
Learn more about disability compensation and how much VA pays.
Survivors' benefits
Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Gulf War Veterans who died as the result of illnesses related to Gulf War service may be eligible for health care, compensation, education, and home loan benefits. Learn more about survivors' benefits.
Additional benefits
Read Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors to learn about other VA benefits.
