A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War veterans, and for other purposes.

1/11/2023, 1:47 PM

This bill addresses disability compensation and care issues for Persian Gulf War veterans.

First, the bill expands eligibility for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Persian Gulf War veterans who have a qualifying chronic disability that became manifest to any degree at any time.

Next, the VA must develop a Disability Benefits Questionnaire to be used by health care personnel to identify Gulf War illness if a Persian Gulf veteran presents with any one symptom associated with such illness.

The bill also expands who qualifies as a Persian Gulf veteran by including those who served in Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan during the Persian Gulf War. Under current law, Persian Gulf veteran refers only to individuals who served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War in particular areas of the Arabian Peninsula.

Finally, the VA must ensure its health care personnel are appropriately trained to provide care to Persian Gulf veterans.

Congress
117

Number
S - 1039

Introduced on
2021-03-25

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/25/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

This bill addresses disability compensation and care issues for Persian Gulf War veterans.

First, the bill expands eligibility for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Persian Gulf War veterans who have a qualifying chronic disability that became manifest to any degree at any time.

Next, the VA must develop a Disability Benefits Questionnaire to be used by health care personnel to identify Gulf War illness if a Persian Gulf veteran presents with any one symptom associated with such illness.

The bill also expands who qualifies as a Persian Gulf veteran by including those who served in Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Syria, or Jordan during the Persian Gulf War. Under current law, Persian Gulf veteran refers only to individuals who served on active duty during the Persian Gulf War in particular areas of the Arabian Peninsula.

Finally, the VA must ensure its health care personnel are appropriately trained to provide care to Persian Gulf veterans.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve compensation for disabilities occurring in Persian Gulf War veterans, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Armed Forces and National Security

Potential Impact
Afghanistan
Asia
Conflicts and wars
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Egypt
Europe
Health personnel
Israel
Jordan
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Syria
Turkey
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary6/28/2021

This bill addresses disability compensation and care issues for Persian Gulf War veterans.

First, the bill expands eligibility for disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Persian Gulf War veterans who have a...


Latest Action4/28/2021
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.