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Clinton expands benefits for ailing Gulf War vets
March 8, 1997
Web posted at: 12:05 a.m. EST
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton extended the benefits Friday for ailing veterans seeking medical treatment that may be linked to their service in the Persian Gulf War.
"I will not stop until we have done everything we can to provide the care and to find the answers for Gulf War veterans that they need and deserve," Clinton told a White House news conference.
Additional health care benefits will be made available to Gulf War veterans who seek medical attention for "undiagnosed illnesses" by the year 2001, or within 10 years of the end of the conflict.
Until now, Veterans Affairs guidelines recognized only claims by veterans if made within two years of their return from the Gulf.
The change, which was recommended by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown, is expected to provide additional health benefits to thousands of veterans who have registered with the department's Gulf War illness office.
"Gulf War veterans who became ill as a result of their service should receive the compensation they deserve, even if science cannot yet pinpoint the cause of their illnesses," Clinton said.
Related story:
- Pentagon chief criticizes Gulf War record-keeping - March 5, 1997
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- GulfLINK
- DefenseLINK
- Gulf War Veteran Resource Page
- Persian Gulf War Syndrome, from ChronicIllnet
- Gulf War Syndrome Cover up, from Covert Action Quarterly
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.
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