Is It Too Late For Me?

[Charlieg]

I am a USAF Gulf War Vet. Left service in 1992 and went to VA clinic for skin rash medication and stomach issues as I can remember. I had a very serious rash on my feet while in Saudi Arabia and did not go away for years. Also was rushed to Air Force hospital after coming home with stomach issues and had tests but no diagnosis. I stopped going to the Va clinic after only about 3 visits because of work. Just could not keep getting time off. Over the years I thought about checking in with the va but never seemed to have time and when I needed help I would just go to a family doctor. My va card is so old as compared to others that I've seen. I was doing some construction work in a va clinic and asked about my status and was told that they had never seen a card like mine. I've had a lot of the same symptoms that others here have, just wondering if I can still get help. Or is it too late.

[Berta]

It is never too late to get into the VA health care system and to file a claim.

Your conditions might fall into the Gulf War Presumptive disabilities here:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp

Do you have a complete copy of your SMRs?

Copies of your family doctor's med recs might help too.

The VAMC you deal with might have an inhouse vet rep to help file the claim ., If not I suggest that you try to find a locale rep, through your county's veterans service agency or state veterans affairs division.

[Buck52]

Great advise from Ms berta

click on her link and read about the Gulf War Illness's. you possibly could have a claim with lots of retro bud.

............Buck

[Fat]

Get your military medical records and find a VSO.

[k5one]

What are your symptoms. There are several Gulf War related problems that are presumptive. The time limit is currently 2016, but I would guess that will be extended.

If you have symptoms that are similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome definitely file for benefits. Go to your private physician. Explain to him if he can diagnose you, and get Disability Benefits Questionnaires completed by your private physician. Then file a Fully Developed Claim with medical records, history, and DBQ's.

If your symptoms are related to the presumptive illnesses you have to show;

1- you have the symptoms (This requires current documentation by a physician)

2- you are a veteran and were in the gulf war theater anytime after 08/1990 until sometime in 2016 ( I expect this to change prior to the deadline)

3- your physician can't connect your symptoms to any known disease (such as PTSD, Low Testosterone, Thyroid Problems, or any other known disease/illness)

4- the problem is chronic (has lasted more than 6 months)

5- it is 10% or more disabling (based on Federal VA law)

I have chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Diarrhea/constipation, cognitive problems. It takes me a week or more to recover from normal exercise or working out at the gym, etc. I sleep 8+ hours, and feel like I have only slept an hour. Any physical or mental exertion causes all symptoms to intensify, as well as causes headaches. I go through depression, because I am realizing that it is not going to go away, and there is no cure.

I have found that some medications improve the symptoms, but nothing completely rids me of symptoms.

I am currently going through the process and have learned a lot. Let me know if you have any questions. I may be able to help.

[Charlieg]

Thanks all, I was kinda of prodded by an army vet at work to get checked out by VA. Funny low testosterone was mentioned. I had been giving self injections but gave up because it was not doing anything. I thought it was working once but doctor said my levels were to high and cut my dose. I don't really understand how a doctor will take all these issues and say "oh you must have gulf war illness". It just seems so overwhelming.

[rootbeer22]

Charlie's:

Stay focused and never give up. I went in for my Gulf War exam and the doctor never made eye contact with me. I ended up with 4 of 7 main GW illnesses and yet the doctor still said I was not GW connected overall. One of the last three show confirmed symptoms. Frankly, he's just one of those doctors that does not believe in GW illnesses. So, be prepared for a fight. Also, if you are not having the symptoms on the day of your eval they will count it against you...but keep trying because other docs out here may be different? The irony, is that I was contacted by the GW Burn Registry folks from DC last week and was asked to provide my information for the Burn Pit Registry?

Anyway, good luck...

Edited June 27, 2015 by rootbeer22