Hope For Ill Gulf War Vets
A decade after the U.S. victory in the Persian Gulf, veterans of the war against Iraq have the first glimmer of hope that sufferers from a variety of ailments known as Gulf War illnesses may automatically qualify for government compensation.
A new study to determine the rate of Lou Gehrig's disease among those who served in the conflict could open the door to automatic compensation.
The announcement comes too late for Rob Booker, who tried for nearly two years to qualify for compensation, arguing the Lou Gehrig's disease ravaging his body was connected to his service in the Gulf. The Department of Veterans Affairs investigation of his case dragged on because in almost all cases, Gulf War illnesses aren't automatically recognized by the government.
The VA finally agreed this week to grant Booker benefits. Unfortunately, the former Army national guardsman from Evergreen, Ala., died in February at age 35, leaving behind his wife, two daughters aged 2 and 7 and lots of frustration.
The family's compensation will amount to $1,300 a month in survivors' benefits.
In the study announced last month, the VA and other agencies will try to compare the rate of Gehrig's disease among the 700,000 veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War to those diagnosed in the general population.
At least 28 Gulf conflict veterans have been diagnosed with possible amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which destroys the brain and spinal cord nerve cells. It is the most deadly of so-called Gulf War illnesses, which also include severe reactions to certain smells, night sweats, lower back pain, diarrhea, cramps, fatigue and memory loss
If researchers establish a higher incidence among veterans, their finding could trigger a presumption that it was service-connected and lead to automatic compensation.
"We see this as a solid victory and a very positive move by the VA,"said Paul Sullivan, spokesman for the National Gulf War Resources Center, a nonprofit group. "It clearly opens the door."
Until then, Gulf veterans still must prove that ailments or injuries are connected to their service. About 136,000 veterans of the war have succeeded in securing disability payments.
For Booker's wife, Lynn, a study seems like a waste while sick and dying veterans are denied compensation. "They should use the money to help guys who need it," she said.
Some lawmakers share the Bookers' frustration.
Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., criticizes the VA for not giving Gulf veterans "the benefit of the doubt. The worst that could happen is you help someone who needs help."
And Rep. Bernard Sanders, a Vermont independent, said he is concerned that researchers on Gulf War illness "are not getting the kind of support we need from VA and the Department of Defense."
One researcher, Dr. Robert Haley, has concluded that Gulf veterans suffered brain injuries due to chemical exposure during the wr. The chief of clinical epidemiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center also found the veterans have a higher death rate from auto accidents and suicides.
"People who have brain injuries have higher rates of automobile accidents and a higher rate of depression and suicide," Haley said. "We proposed that as an explanation and they (the VA) have not accepted it."
Dr. John R. Feussner, the VA's chief research and development officer, said the agency has been "very receptive to following leads that might help explain Gulf War illness." He said the agency is spending $160 million for 150 projects.
Those researchers are trying to learn whether Gulf veterans' ailments resulted from exposure to depleted uranium, tropical diseases, oil well fires or chemical weapons.
"Gulf War syndrome isn't as precise as fever or pneumonia. My fear is that people misunderstand how long it may take to clarify a difficult issue" and view the VA as
He said that the 28 likely ALS diagnoses made so far would approximate the rate expected for the general population. But the VA proceeded with the study because of other warning flags, including that veterans with the disease were generally younger than average ALS sufferers.