Sarin Nerve Gas and Gulf War Syndrome

Roughly a quarter million veterans who served in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War have dealt with unexplained chronic symptoms, including rashes, fatigue, gastrointestinal and digestive issues, brain fog, neuropathy and muscle and joint pain, following discharge.  Largely brushed aside by the VA, these veterans were often sent to mental health providers for conditions that were not taken seriously by many in the medical field.

Over the years, studies have been conducted to determine if an environmental toxin was responsible for this so-called Gulf War Syndrome.  Over time, skepticism at the VA has eroded to the extent that certain conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and some gastrointestinal disorders are presumptive conditions, making it easier for afflicted veterans to qualify for service-connected disability benefits.

Recently, Dr. Robert Haley, Director of the Division of Epidemiology in the Internal Medicine Department at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, published the results of a study in Environmental Health Perspectives.  Genetic research and survey data from 1,116 randomly-selected Gulf War veterans lead to the conclusion that sarin nerve gas is a “causative agent” for Gulf War Syndrome.

It is believed that thousands of troops were exposed to sarin when a bunker housing chemical weapons in southern Iraq was destroyed.  A plume of contaminants spread over a 25-mile radius following the destruction of the bunker.  Sarin was known to have been stockpiled in Iraq.

Avard Law Offices is available to assist veterans in applying for service-connected disability benefits.