Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.
Get more information on the Veterans Benefits Banking Program
Get more information on the VA Anti-Harassment and Anti-Sexual Assault Policy
 

Veterans

Gulf War Veterans

More than 650,000 Service members served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Gulf War period is still in effect. This means that anyone who served on active duty from August 2, 1990, to present is considered a Gulf War Veteran. For example, the Veterans Pension benefit requires service during a wartime period. Therefore, any Veteran who served on active military service for any period from August 2, 1990, to the present meets the wartime service requirement.

VA Benefits

Gulf War Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.

Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses

Certain illnesses and diseases are "presumed" by VA to be related to your military service in designated areas of Southwest Asia and may entitle you to VA disability compensation benefits. For Gulf War Veterans, these presumptive diseases include:

  • Medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called "Gulf War Syndrome").
  • Certain infectious diseases.
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service.

Learn more about VA benefits for Gulf War Veterans:

Gulf War Veterans may still seek to establish service connection individually for other, "non-presumptive" diseases and illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. Learn more about qualifying for disability compensation for non-presumptive conditions on the Compensation website.

PACT ACT HEALTH CARE ELIGIBILITY

You can enroll in VA health care if any of the following are true:

You performed active duty while assigned to a duty station (including air space above):

  • On or after August 2, 1990, in the following countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates
  • On or after September 11, 2001, in the following countries: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or any other country determined relevant by VA. (Note: VA has not determined any other country relevant at this time.)

You deployed in support of the following contingency operations:

  • Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support Mission

You served on active duty in a theater of combat operations or in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998, and you were discharged or released from active service within the last 10 years.

The PACT Act is a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve. To be eligible to enroll in VA health care, Veterans must meet the minimum active-duty service requirements, have a qualifying discharge, and meet one or more eligibility requirements specific to VA health care. VA encourages all Veterans to apply to determine their enrollment eligibility.

How to Apply 

There are many paths to eligibility, and applying is the best way to know if you qualify.  Generally, Servicemembers, Veterans, and families can apply for VA benefits using one of the methods below. 

  • Apply online using VA.gov, OR
  • Work with an accredited representative or agent, OR
  • In person at the nearest VA medical center or clinic, OR
  • By calling the toll-free hotline: 800-698-2411, OR
    • Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. You can find your regional office on our Facility Locator page.

      File your claim using an Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ).  Print the form, fil it out and send it to:

      Department of Veteran Affairs
      Claims Intake Center
      PO Box 4444
      Janesville, WI 53547-4444

      External Link Disclaimer:  This page contains links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website.  VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

       

      return to top go
      OSZAR »