Hundreds of thousands of veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War of 1991 have suffered many devastating health issues since returning home.
Recently, however veterans were given a reason to be hopeful that their cause would be taken more seriously. A special advisory board developed in 1998 presented new findings to Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake. The panel concluded that the symptoms that so many Gulf War veterans suffer from are real and need treatment. The panel also concluded that the U.S. government has an obligation to assist these individuals.
The complaints of veterans range from joint pain and memory loss to even more severe ailments that leave them unable to walk. These vets were often told the symptoms were all in their head.
There are over 175,000 Gulf War veterans who are suffering from various ailments and they are getting progressively worse. An even more disturbing fact is that although $340 million dollars has been spent to research these illnesses, little of that money has been used to research treatments.
This leaves veterans wondering what will happen next. The appointed advisory board recommends continuous research in the amount of $60 million per year but in difficult financial times, veterans wonder if the money will really be there.
Veterans advocate, James Schwertfager believes that the many veterans who arrived home with pain and suffering and were told it was all "in their heads" are now suffering from real mental health issues due to years of struggling with pain.
The symptoms suffered by many of the veterans included rashes, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, nausea and other ailments. Many of the veterans wrote to Congress with little or no response.
The situation became even more complex due to the lack of knowledge about the cause of the symptoms. Combat stress, vaccinations, pills to block nerve agents and exposure to chemicals while deployed were all possible considerations.
The veterans have experienced some small victories over the years and in light of this new report are hopeful that additional assistance is on its way.
It is unclear how Veteran's Affairs Secretary James Peake will proceed and many believe it will be in the hands of president-elect, Barack Obama, and the newly elected Congress. The VA and local governments maintain veterans services offices around the country.
President of the Veterans of Modern Warfare, Julie Mock believes the current report given by the panel may begin to help more veterans receive disability. Others believe, however that this report will do nothing to change their grave circumstances. For all involved the end result still remains to be seen.
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