Comment Period on Expanding Gulf War Presumptives to Include Functional G-I Disorders Extends through Dec. 17

Federal Register:
Department of Veterans Affairs
38 CFR Part 3
RIN 2900-AN83
Presumptive Service Connection for Diseases Associated With Persian Gulf War Service: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Agency:  Department of Veterans Affairs
Action:  Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its adjudication regulations concerning presumptive service connection for medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations for which there is no record during service.  This amendment is necessary to implement a decision of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that there is a positive association between service in Southwest Asia during certain periods and the subsequent development of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), and to clarify that FGIDs fall within the scope of the existing presumption of service connection for medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses.  The intended effect of this amendment is to clarify the presumption of service connection for these illnesses based on service in Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

Dates:  Comments must be received by VA on or before December 17, 2010.
Addresses:  Written comments may be submitted through http://www.Regulations.gov.

Detailed information on the committee’s findings may be found at http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Gulf-War-and-Health-Volume-8-Health-Effects-0f-Serving-in-the-Gulf-War.aspx. 

The report findings are organized by category and can be found under the heading, “Table of Contents.”