Persian Gulf veterans have faced unique health challenges stemming from their service in the Middle East since the 1990s. Exposure to various environmental factors has led to unexplained illnesses, making it difficult for many veterans to obtain service-connected disability benefits. In response, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed the Persian Gulf War presumption to simplify the process of establishing a service connection for these veterans. This article will delve into the specifics of this presumption, covering eligibility criteria, qualifying conditions, and the process for filing a claim.
The Persian Gulf War presumption is designed to assist veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, to the present, or until a law is enacted to officially end the Persian Gulf War. This area includes countries like Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and more recently, regions such as Afghanistan and Israel. Veterans who served in the designated locations and time must also have a qualifying condition to benefit from the presumption.