WingmanOpen the free toolsWingmanOpen the free toolsIf the VA already service-connected your gulf war (also called Gulf War illness, undiagnosed illness, chronic multisymptom illness, MUCMI), it can cause or worsen other conditions that are ratable on their own. These "secondary" claims are where many veterans leave money on the table. Below is what a service-connected gulf war commonly leads to, why, and what evidence each one takes.
A secondary claim only works if the primary condition (gulf war) is already service-connected, and you have a nexus — a doctor's opinion that it is "at least as likely as not" the cause. More on nexus letters →
For qualifying Gulf War-era veterans, chronic fatigue is a recognized presumptive condition — VA can grant it without the usual nexus if symptoms began during or after qualifying service and persist.
What you'd need: Documented qualifying service (Southwest Asia theater or Afghanistan) and medical records showing chronic, unexplained fatigue lasting 6+ months.
Fibromyalgia is a presumptive Gulf War condition — widespread pain, tenderness, and fatigue can be granted presumptively for qualifying veterans.
What you'd need: Qualifying service plus a fibromyalgia diagnosis (widespread pain/tender points).
Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional GI disorders are presumptive for qualifying Gulf War veterans.
What you'd need: Qualifying service and GI records documenting chronic IBS-type symptoms.