More than 650,000 Service members served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm from August 2, 1990 to July 31, 1991. For VA benefits eligibility purposes, the Current Conflict period is still in effect. This means that anyone who served on active duty from August 2, 1990, to present is considered a Current Conflict / Gulf War Veteran. For example, the Veterans Pension benefit requires service during a wartime period. Therefore, any Veteran who served on active military service for any period from August 2, 1990, to the present meets the wartime service requirement.
VA Benefits for Current Conflict Veterans
Current Conflict Veterans may be eligible for a wide-variety of benefits available to all U.S. military Veterans. VA benefits include: disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial. See our Veterans page for an overview of the benefits available to all Veterans.
Information for Current Conflict Veterans
The following sections provide information tailored to the experiences of Vietnam War Veterans to help you better understand specific VA benefits for which you may qualify.
- The VA can pay disability compensation
- Post – 9/11 GI Bill (may be transferrable to your dependents)
- You may be eligible for Utah Disabled Veteran Property Tax Abatement
- You may be eligible for Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption
Current Conflict Illness
Certain illnesses and diseases are “presumed” by VA to be related to your military service in designated areas of Southwest Asia and may entitle you to VA disability compensation benefits. For Gulf War Veterans, these presumptive diseases include:
- Medically unexplained illnesses (popularly called “Gulf War Syndrome”).
- Certain infectious diseases.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed in all Veterans who had 90 days or more continuous active military service.
- Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry page
- Disability Compensation Gulf War Presumptive Disability page
Learn more about VA benefits for Gulf War benefits:
Current Conflict Veterans may still seek to establish service connection individually for other, “non-presumptive” diseases and illnesses related to service in the Gulf War. Learn more about qualifying for disability compensation for non-presumptive conditions on the Compensation website.
Benefits for Survivors of Veterans
The Veterans Benefits Administration offers a variety of benefits and services to spouses, children, and parents of Servicemembers and Veterans who are deceased or totally and permanently disabled by a service-connected disability.
Learn more on the Dependents & Survivors page.
How to Apply
The specific VA benefit or program web page will provide tailored information about how to apply for a particular benefit or program. Generally, Servicemembers, Veterans, and families can apply for VA benefits using one of the methods below.
