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Hey Pete, I hope you are still there? I hope you are well. I have been trying to understand the circle of madness from the V.A.. I have been diagnosed with PTSD/Severe Depression and Anxiety from the Gulf War. I was in the USAF. My specialty was accounting and finance, but when the Gulf War kicked off, my war time job was traning Chem Detox (we deal with soldiers who come into contact with chemical and biological agents). I was subject to vaccinations like you, however, I never got deployed very much like your situation. Since 1992, I have been experiencing a series of 10 out of the 13 illness: Fatigue, Skin problems, Headaches, Muscle and Joint Pains, Neurological Sings and Neuropsych problems, Sleep disturbances, Menstrual disorders that lead to loss of female reproductive organs, and Gastro: Diverticulitis, all but Cardio and Respiratory and weight loss. They are treating me for Lupus, but said that I might have Firbomyalgia symptoms, but my diagnosis is "unexplained". Until I started researching, I was upset because I wanted to have a diagnosis to I can finish my C&P claim. However, I actually do not want a diagnosis, because from what I understand, if it is unexplained mutli-symptoms, it would be easier for me to get SMC. I currently am deteriorating at a fast rate. My husband is in danger of losing his job. I cannot be left home alone. My legs lock up and I have hard time getting around and to and from appointments. I have at least 9 doctors/treatment team treating me weekly since I got out in 1992. I just wrote the my local Environment Health Coordinators for War Related Injury and told them that I need to be screened further. I was told that I do not qualify for GWR (registry) because I did not directly serve in the Gulf. My VFW Rep told me to challenge the VA Medical Center to do a full exam. My records state that all of my 10 out of 13 symptoms have been consistent throughout my VA/Military records. I am 70% UI, however, I am asking for a C & P because of the unexplained/undiagnosed illnesses. I was glad when I read your post, because I have not heard of anyone who qualified for SMC, that have not been physically to the Gulf, that was in a similar situation like the both of us. I hope you are well? Happy Holidays!!!

Hey there. I just had the very same problem. I just got my loans discharged December of 2009. I noticed that the lender and the U.S. Department of Education were still reporting me on all three credit bureaus. I called them last Thursday. You have to speak to the Lender or Loan Discharge Department. They will send you forms in the mail to send to the bureau's to remove the negative items. Make sure you send the forms to all three reporting bureaus: TRW, Equifax and Experian. I am still waiting for the forms to come in the mail. Check in with me the next few days to see what the forms explain or details. I will be glad to help. Right now my FICO is average about 600 with 40K of bad loans/debt weighing down my credit report. I just remarried and we cannot rent or even get a house at the moment. You would think the Government/Lender would remove these items themselves, since they were the ones who reported it negatively. Just like everything, the proof of burden is always put on the Veteran. Good Luck..I hope this helps! Happy Holidays

Hey to all that have served and continue to serve....Happy Holidays and God Bless and Keep you all. I am 70% UI (major depression-anxiety disorder as of 2002) and I have been struggling for years since getting out in 1992 with: female reproductive/menstrual disorders/problems (Dysmenorrhea--Loss of Female Reproductive Organs-Hysterectomy), Neuropsychological and Neurological issues, Cognitive function issues, Gastrointestinal issues: Diverticulitis, Auto-Immune issues and Skeletal Muscular (joint and muscle) pain are my primary symptoms. I have finally started connecting the dots with illnesses that relate to Gulf War Syndrome, because no one can tell me what I have. The VAMC are saying that my illnesses are undiagnosed multi-symptoms, however, I am tried to apply for Gulf War Registry (GWR) today. They said "no". As I mentioned, although I did not physically serve in the Gulf, Chem Detox was my war time job as my Specialty code in the USAF was Accounting and Finance. I did receive a series of biological/chemical warfare shots such as Anthrax and Botulinum. I have field another Claim for compensation per my VFW Rep. I explained to the GWR, that I could not be deployed, because I was pregnant and dealing with symptoms before I was discharged in October 1992. Since, I have experience a myriad of sickness and issues above. I have been sick for so long, and they now found in May of 2010, that I might have Lupus or Fibromyalgia, but they are not diagnosing anything because they classify as "unexplained" mutli-symptom illnesses. I am so angry right now. I just do not know what to do? I have been in and out of the hospital because of pain and mental health issues, as my health have deterrioted rapidly. My husband is about to lose his job soon. He has been caring for me since 2004. I complained for years and the VAMC has now decided to follow up after not following the symptoms. I since filed a C & P in September this year again to be re-evaluated for SMC. I do not know what to do at this point? Per the 38 CFR 3.317, I should qualify as a Gulf War Veteran with unexplained/undiagnosed illnesses, but the Gulf War Registry is saying "no". Has anyone experienced any issues such as this, and if so, where are you now with your claim, or if you were successful in getting your "undiagnosed" illness compensation, please share any insight or information? I am sure my C & P exam is coming in 2011. I just do not know what they are going to rate in regards to my undiagnosed/unexplained illnesses. God Bless and Keep you and your families this Holiday Season 2010.