Gulf War illness

← Presumptive Condition Checker

Who qualifies

On or after August 2, 1990, in one of these places: Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, or the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The waters of the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman count too, and so does the airspace above. The law also covers Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Jordan, but not the airspace above them.

• Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, or the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia (on or after August 2, 1990)38 U.S.C. 1117(f); 38 CFR 3.317(e)(2)
• On a ship or aircraft over the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden or Gulf of Oman (on or after August 2, 1990)38 CFR 3.317(e)(2)
• Afghanistan (on or after August 2, 1990, not the airspace above)38 U.S.C. 1117(f)
• Syria (on or after August 2, 1990, not the airspace above)38 U.S.C. 1117(f)
• Egypt (on or after August 2, 1990, not the airspace above)38 U.S.C. 1117(f)
• Jordan (on or after August 2, 1990, not the airspace above)38 U.S.C. 1117(f)
• Israel (on or after August 2, 1990, not the airspace above)38 U.S.C. 1117(f)
• Turkey (on or after August 2, 1990, not the airspace above)38 U.S.C. 1117(f)

Conditions VA presumes (4)

• Chronic fatigue syndrome38 U.S.C. 1117(a)(2)(B); 38 CFR 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(1)
• Fibromyalgia38 U.S.C. 1117(a)(2)(B); 38 CFR 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(2)
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia and functional abdominal pain38 CFR 3.317(a)(2)(i)(B)(3)
• Undiagnosed illness: ongoing signs or symptoms that doctors can't tie to a known diagnosis, such as fatigue, skin problems, headaches, muscle or joint pain, nerve or memory problems, breathing problems, sleep problems, stomach or bowel problems, heart symptoms, weight loss, or menstrual problems38 U.S.C. 1117(a)(2)(A), (g); 38 CFR 3.317(a)(2)(i)(A), (b)

Time limit

Under the law there is no deadline: the illness can appear at any time, at any level (38 U.S.C. 1117(a)(1)). It must be chronic, which means it has lasted 6 months or more, or has come and gone over 6 months.

You'd still need to show

• A current diagnosis of the condition from a doctor or other medical provider.
• Records that show your qualifying service, such as your DD214, orders, or unit or ship records.
• A discharge that isn't dishonorable.
• Signs of the illness that a doctor can see or that can be checked by others (objective indications).
• That it has lasted at least 6 months, or come and gone over 6 months.

Even when a condition is on a list, VA can still decide it was caused by something else if there is evidence of that (the presumption can be rebutted).

Diagnosed illnesses with a known cause, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, don't count as unexplained illnesses.

The law: 38 U.S.C. 1117 · 38 CFR 3.317(a), (b), (e)
On VA.gov: Gulf War illnesses linked to Southwest Asia service · Gulf War illnesses linked to Afghanistan service

Regulation text current as of October 15, 2026. This is general information from a free tool, not legal or medical advice, and not a decision. Only VA decides claims.