Extension Of Presumptive Period For Persian Gulf War Veterans

Many veterans of the Persian Gulf War suffer from chronic disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses.  Although studies remain inconclusive as to the cause and time of onset of these illnesses, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumes certain medically unexplained illnesses are related to service in the Persian Gulf War regardless of cause.  These conditions include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and functional gastrointestinal disorders.  Undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms including abnormal weight loss, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders, and sleep disturbances also fall under the umbrella of the presumption.

The VA recently extended the presumptive period to December 31, 2026, so that service members suffering from such qualifying chronic disabilities and whose conditions arise prior to that date are able to file for disability.  If the extension hadn’t been implemented, then veterans whose conditions arose after December 31, 2021 would have fallen outside the presumptive period.

Avard Law Offices is available to assist veterans with these and other disability claims.