Understanding MUCMI VA Ratings and VA Disability for Gulf War Syndrome

If you are a Gulf War veteran and experience medical symptoms that don’t seem tied to any diagnosable condition, you could have Gulf War Syndrome. You’ll want to know about the Gulf War Syndrome VA rating and what compensation you might be eligible for.

You served in the Gulf War, and now you’re physically unwell. It could be that you’re experiencing medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses. In other words, you may have what many veterans refer to as “Gulf War Syndrome.” If so, it’s essential you explain to a medical professional what you’re experiencing and prepare for a C&P exam for Gulf War Syndrome. We explain more below.

Understanding Gulf War Syndrome

Gulf War Syndrome is a name given to various chronic, unexplained symptoms experienced by Gulf War veterans. 

A Gulf War veteran is anyone who served in specific locations in Southeast Asia, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Syria, and more, from Aug. 2, 1990, to the present. 

Many of these veterans have health issues, and, frequently, their symptoms can’t be assigned to a certain diagnosis. What is often referred to as “Gulf War Syndrome” is really a collection of different Medically Unexplained Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses, also known as a “MUCMI.” 

While veterans are more likely to refer to these issues as Gulf War Syndrome, terms like MUCMI, undiagnosed illness, and chronic multisymptom illness are used by the VA.

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MUCMI symptoms in Gulf War vets can include:

• Fatigue
• Unexplained rashes or other dermatological symptoms
• Headaches
• Muscle or joint pain
• Neurological signs and symptoms, like memory problems
• Upper or lower respiratory issues
• Sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Cardiovascular issues
• Abnormal weight loss
• Menstrual disorders

It’s still unclear what causes these issues. “While there’s mounting evidence that points to chemical exposures and nerve agent inoculants, the ultimate cause [of these MUCMIs] is not well understood,” VA disability lawyer Zack Evans said. “The mysterious nature of Gulf War Syndrome, and difficulty in pinpointing the source, has left many veterans feeling neglected and forgotten by their own government, especially as the war drums have beaten onward into Afghanistan back to Iraq, Africa, and Syria.”

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Does the VA recognize Gulf War Syndrome?

The VA recognizes Gulf War Syndrome exists. However, as previously mentioned, the VA refers to it as “chronic multisymptom illness” or “undiagnosed illness,” while veterans are more likely to call it “Gulf War Syndrome.” 

The VA explained, “We prefer not to use the term ‘Gulf War Syndrome’ when referring to medically unexplained symptoms reported by Gulf War Veterans. Why? Because symptoms vary widely.”

Despite disagreeing on the name, the VA and veterans alike agree many people who served in these areas in Southwest Asia from the 90s to the present day seem to have overlapping unexplained symptoms, and these symptoms must be connected to their military service. In fact, it’s estimated that about one-third of Gulf War veterans experience Gulf War Syndrome or MUCMIs. Therefore, the VA provides disability benefits for these health concerns on a presumptive basis.

Gulf War Syndrome as a VA presumptive condition

A presumptive service connection means veterans aren’t required to submit proof that their condition is medically linked to their service. Instead, the condition is automatically presumed to be service-connected.

In order to qualify for presumptive service connection for Gulf War Syndrome, veterans must have served in a qualifying part Southwest Asia. Additionally, their chronic, medically unexplained symptoms must “manifest either during active military, naval, or air service… to a degree of 10% or more not later than Dec. 31, 2026.”

The symptoms can’t be attributed to any other known cause – they must be unexplained. “A common tactic employed by the VA in Gulf War illness cases, is to take a veteran’s file, review multiple doctors’ differing opinions, from primary care providers to specialists, and attempt a concrete diagnosis after a single consultation,” said Evans. “If the VA can pigeonhole your condition into a specific diagnosis, then by definition, it is not an undiagnosed or medically unexplained condition.”

Gulf War Syndrome VA rating

There is no specific VA rating for Gulf War Syndrome because Gulf War Syndrome can manifest in many different ways. One veteran’s chronic unexplained illness symptoms may look different than another’s. Some of the symptoms and conditions covered under this umbrella term by the VA include:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Functional gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dyspepsia, and abdominal pain syndrome
• Medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness
• Other undiagnosed illnesses, such as cardiovascular signs and symptoms, muscle and joint pain, and headaches

This ultimately means the Gulf War Syndrome VA rating a veteran receives is based on the symptoms they’re experiencing and the rating criteria which best evaluates those symptoms. This may mean using more than one diagnostic code for rating.

If getting a VA rating for Gulf War Syndrome feels difficult or confusing, that’s understandable. In fact, a 2018 study by the US Government Accountability Office suggested even the VA needs a better understanding of these chronic medically unexplained conditions. The study found the VA denied about 80% of claims for Gulf War Syndrome. With all this in mind, you may want to reach out to an accredited VA disability lawyer for help with your Gulf War Syndrome claim.

C&P exam for Gulf War Syndrome

During a C&P exam for Gulf War Syndrome, a medical professional will ask you questions, review evidence, and perform tests to document your symptoms and their severity. 

Don’t allow the VA to “play games” with the way they label your illness – the best way to combat this issue is to focus on the facts.

“When did this begin? How has it worsened? What is your condition like now? How has it impacted work? Stick to your guns and tell your truth. The facts which you know are indisputable,” Evans suggested. “Remember, everything you say will end up on the record in your appeals. Make sure you discuss your onset truthfully and completely. Don’t leave anything out.”

Because Gulf War veterans have such varying symptoms, you may be asked to complete multiple C&P exams. Despite the inconvenience, you’ll want to participate in these exams because you want all your symptoms evaluated, diagnosed, and officially documented in your medical records. 

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How Woods and Woods can help

Our VA-accredited attorneys have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.

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