Are there any Gulf War I vets' advocacy and support organizations?

[politicat]

I'm married to a Desert Storm vet, who did get his VFW membership out of it, but they're not great for advocacy.

At this point, we don't need VA benefits, because we have insurance and are self-sufficient, but my spouse's service did joint and soft-tissue damage, he was downwind and at close range when the depot at Khamisiyah was burned, plus being downwind of several burning wells. He's got symptoms of something systemic as well as mild (and controlled) PTSD. So that's looming.

IAVA doesn't acknowledge Gulf War I vets, nor does IAVAW, despite the one million who served either in the war or in peacekeeping between 1991 and 2001. Locally, VFW is somewhat overwhelmed between the Vietnam vet bulge and the incoming Iraq and Afghanistan vets. The American Legion is not interested.

He needs a support structure and would like to contribute his voice to not doing this again. I need to point him at something.

Any hints?

[7wo7rees]

1. Veterans for Peace nt

[Aristus]

2. Second!

Veterans For Peace is a great organization. I marched with them a couple of times in opposition to the Iraq War. They may be able to help your husband.

[politicat]

8. Thanks!

It's one of those sad ironies of GenXers -- we were raised to be so self-sufficient, to RTFM and experiment and work it our on our own... That when we need help or want to offer it, we're mostly unequipped.

[politicat]

7. Thanks. There's even a local chapter. N/t

[7wo7rees]

9. I was at work when I posted. Here is more.

I do not know what area of the country you are in. I live in the DFW area and have been working with these fine people for a very long time. So glad to hear you have a chapter close.
Veteransforpeace.org
They can and will be the support you are looking for.
Peace,
S and D

Also look for Dennis Kyne and Doug Rokke and Stan Goff. Also Elliott Adams.
Also look for Gordon:
http://unitedpeacerelief.ning.com/profile/neworleansvoicesforpeace

I think they'll be able to help you all. Peace.

[riverwalker]

3. some links here

Captain Joyce Riley's site. American Gulf War Veterans Association. Learned a lot about Gulf War Syndrome for my brother, oil fields burning Kuwait.

http://www.gulfwarvets.com/contact.htm

http://www.gulfwarvets.com/letter.htm

[politicat]

6. Thanks. N/T

[LaurenG]

4. I would start with the Department of defense

The Department of Defense sends letters to my husband about once a year telling him to go to the nearest VA hospital for a check up if he feels he needs to be seen for gulf war illness.
I don't know of support groups right now. Here is an interesting article that does shed some light on this syndrome.

http://www.newsweek.com/sick-soliders-gulf-war-illness-clue-mystery-their-cells-238850

[politicat]

5. We get that one, too. This year's was nice to see.

Expanded categories, more access to records (though, due to Spouse's MOS, he always knew exactly where he was and where anything interesting going on was.).

For now, actually, we do want to let the VA catch up and do the necessary triage. Spouse knows he's a green tag right now, physically and psychologically. But I'll check our local VA network to see if they have a drop-in group.

I think mostly he's feeling abandoned and forgotten and frustrated because he and a lot of others spent 3-4 tours in country/region, too, and their work actually did keep the peace (until Shrub broke it.). Which is why I'm more interested in support/peer network right now.

[7wo7rees]

10. I would suggest you post this thread in GD.

You might get more help.
Good luck and best to you both.
Always feel free to send a pm.

Take care.

[pinboy3niner]

11. As posted above, gulfwarvets.com is the website you want

As for VA enrollment, just go to your VA hospital. It's important for Gulf vets to enrol because the VA is keeping statistics on Gulf vets with symptoms, and those they don't see are not counted.

To file a disability claim, it's best to use a claims rep from one of the vets orgs that usually have offices at the VA hosp. You can ask around to find the best one in your area. They pursue the case and relieve you of the stress--which is something a vet with PTSD certainly doesn't need!

Good luck to you and your husband, and please update us on your experience.

[unhappycamper]

13. When I first signed up with the VA, the intake unit also sent me to the local DAV to file a claim.

If your vet has hearing loss from BOOMS he'll get at least a 10% disability. Which means ALL VA care is covered in full.

Depending on your medical insurance, you can save a shitload of money if a procedure costs you more than the cost of a doctor's visit.

[unhappycamper]

12. I highly recommend you urge him to join the VA.

In some respects it's like induction into the Army: last name, first name middle initial. A general pain in the ass.

Desert Storm causalities from non-combat causes have been EXTREMELY high. (Think Agent Orange.)

I'm a Vietnam vet and suffer hearing loss which is the reason I signed up with the VA last September: I need hearing aides and I did not want to screw around with Medicare freebies.

To date I'm extremely satisfied with the VA. My first doctor's appointment was in February of this year. To date:

* I've already had cataract surgery on my left eye.
* I received a 10% disability rating for my hearing which means the VA will cover all doctors/procedures and medicines they provide.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/11795417

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11795517

I'll second the VFP as your goto place for help.

[7wo7rees]

14. jThank you for recognizing VFP. No more to say. nt