Ottawa/IBNS-CMEDIA: Canada has formally recognised Gulf War Illness as a diagnosis for disability benefit applications, aiming at improving access to services for Canadian veterans who served in the Persian Gulf.
Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight said the change took effect immediately following her appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs on December 2.
The update allows Persian Gulf veterans to have disability claims assessed under a streamlined process.
Under the new approach, applications will be reviewed by nurse adjudicators who can make decisions without additional consultations with medical advisers.
McKnight met earlier this week with representatives of the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada to discuss the recognition of Gulf War Illness and its impact on veterans seeking benefits.
Veterans with the diagnosis, or those experiencing related symptoms not previously accepted, are encouraged to contact Veterans Affairs Canada to have their cases reviewed.
“Recognising Gulf War Illness as a formal diagnosis is more than just a policy change. It represents how we are continuing to meet the needs of the women and men who have proudly served our country in uniform,” McKnight said.
“It also offers us another opportunity to continue streamlining administrative processes so that veterans receive timely access to benefits and services.”
The Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada welcomed the decision, calling it a long-sought milestone.
“The recognition of Gulf War Illness for disability applications by Veterans Affairs Canada is an important milestone that many of our members have, for decades, been seeking support for,” said Harold Davis, the group’s president, and Michael McGlennon, its vice president.
More than 4,000 Canadians served in the Persian Gulf region during the 1990–91 conflict as part of a 35-nation United Nations coalition.
Veterans Affairs Canada said service members were exposed to environmental and operational conditions later linked to Gulf War Illness, a condition previously assessed under the broader category of Chronic Multymptom Illness.
(Reporting by Suman Das)
