VA’s Research Into Medically Unexplained Illnesses For Texas Veterans

The VA has partnered with several other organizations to research the medically unexplained illnesses and chronic symptom clusters affecting veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of military operations during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Below, our Texas veterans’ attorneys offer details on just two of the agencies working to make a difference.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM)

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences is a third party organization that researches existing data and offers advice based on its findings.

By law, the VA is required to contract with the IOM to scientifically evaluate possible links between Gulf War veterans’ unexplained chronic symptoms and several types of exposure risks that occurred during military service, including:

Toxic agents
Wartime and environmental hazards
Preventive medicine

The IOM is also helping to determine the best treatment options for affected veterans.

VA Epidemiology Program

This program is performing a multiyear health survey for veterans of the first Gulf War. Surveys were performed in 1995, 2005, and 2012. Results from the 2012 survey should be released in 2014.

So far, the program has learned that when compared to non-deployed contemporaries, deployed veterans report:

Higher instances of unexplained multi-symptom illnesses
Poorer overall health

Are you a veteran of the first Gulf War coping with chronic, unexplained symptoms? The skilled team at Morgan & Weisbrod may be able to help. To schedule a free case review with a knowledgeable Texas VA disability attorney call toll-free at 800-800-6353or fill out the online form.

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