Veterans WORLD 8

GULF WAR SYNDROME UPDATE

In Issue 3, we reported on the decision to accept the use of Gulf War Syndrome as an umbrella term for Gulf related illnesses. Veterans WORLD now finds out more…

Gulf War Syndrome Update There has been extensive research in the UK and abroad concerning Gulf Veterans’ illnesses, but this research has failed to identify ‘Gulf War Syndrome’ as a separate identifiable disease or condition. However, in order to acknowledge the link between some disablements and Gulf Service more explicitly, the MOD proposed in the Pension Appeals Tribunal case of Mr Daniel Martin that, for War Disablement Pension purposes, the term ‘Gulf War Syndrome’ could be employed, as an umbrella term, “to refer to a broad range of symptoms suffered by certain servicemen and women who were connected with the 1991 Gulf War”.

In June this year, the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) undertook to write to Gulf veterans known to have accepted disablements causally linked to the 1990/91 Gulf Conflict (“Gulf Service”). This letter asked if they wished to have this link recognised by having the umbrella term ‘Gulf War Syndrome’ applied to their disablements.

For all those saying ‘yes’, the SPVA will formally consider whether the umbrella term should be applied.

However, it is important to stress that the term does not denote a separate or further disablement to those already accepted for war pension purposes (and so will not result in additional payments). It does, however, provide clear recognition of the link between disablements and Gulf Service.

© Crown Copyright, images from www.defenceimages.mod.uk

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