This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Gulf War and VA benefits for Gulf War Veterans:
The first Gulf War was sparked by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. The United States deployed military units to Saudi Arabia as a part of Operation Desert Shield. The United States led the fighting with a large coalition of United Nations member states. Operation Desert Storm began in January 1991. On February 28, 1991, the war ended. An official cease-fire was signed in April 1991, and the last U.S. troops who participated in the ground war returned home on June 13, 1991. In all, about 697,000 U.S. troops had been deployed to the Gulf region during the first Gulf War.
In 2003, Operation Iraqi Freedom created a new group of Gulf War Veterans, and continued until 2010, when Operation New Dawn began, reflecting a reduced U.S. role in Iraq.
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For VA benefit purposes, Gulf War Veterans are Veterans who served on active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations any time during the first Gulf War starting August 2, 1990 through the current conflict in Iraq. This includes Veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2010) and Operation New Dawn (2010 and continuing).
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VA and other Federal government Departments and agencies have and continue to conduct an extensive amount of research evaluating the health effects of service in the Gulf during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Learn more about research on health effects of Gulf War service.
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Veterans who have a service-related disability and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions may be eligible for benefits. For Gulf War Veterans, VA presumes certain illnesses as associated with military service in the Gulf. Learn more about disability compensation benefits and how to apply.
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VA offers education benefits to qualified Veterans, servicemembers, and reservists through the following programs:
- Post-9/11 GI Bill
- Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
- Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
- Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
- Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)
Learn more about education benefits and how to apply.
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Call the toll-free helpline 1-800-749-8387 and press 2 for help with VA health care, compensation, and other benefits for Gulf War Veterans. Call 1-800-829-4833, if you are hearing impaired. For health care benefits and registry health examinations, you may directly contact the Environmental Health Coordinator or Patient Care Advocate at your nearest VA medical facility.
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