Gulf War Veterans may have been exposed to a wide variety of environmental hazards and potential harmful substances during their service in Southwest Asia.
These include:

• Burn pits
• Chemical and biological warfare agents
• Depleted uranium
• Oil well fires, smoke and petroleum
• Pesticides
• Pyridostigmine bromide (anti-nerve agent)
• Vaccinations (including anthrax and botulinum toxoid)

VA offers eligible Veterans a free Gulf War Registry health exam for possible long-term health problems related to Gulf War service.

VA presumes certain illnesses are related to Gulf War service. Eligible Veterans may receive VA disability compensation and health care. Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Gulf War Veterans who died as the result of illnesses related to Gulf War service may be eligible for survivors' benefits.

VA and other researchers continue to conduct research to investigate whether service in the Gulf, including possible exposures, are linked to illnesses Gulf War Veterans have experienced.