Gulf War syndrome haunts vets, nation

As the Pentagon begins preparations to reduce the U.S. presence in Iraq, a push is under way to mobilize forces to help ailing veterans of our nation's last conflict there.

A panel of scientists and veterans, established by Congress six years ago, recently presented a hefty report on an array of health troubles afflicting roughly one in four veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

The medical problems, often lumped together under the amorphous title "Gulf War syndrome," include memory loss, rashes, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and brain cancer.

Previous studies have categorized some complaints as psychosomatic or stress-related, while other studies have been unable to draw any conclusions about the causes of so many problems.

The new report points to two specific areas of concern: a drug given to troops to protect them from anticipated nerve-gas attacks and the heavy use of at least 64 pesticides.

The scientists said other factors could be involved, including vaccinations and extended exposure to oil well fires. Other long-suspected causes, including anthrax vaccines and exposure to depleted uranium shells, don't appear to be connected, the panel said.

What's abundantly clear - and has been for close to two decades now - is that an estimated one quarter of the 700,000 veterans of the Gulf War are ailing in one way or another, some for close to two decades now.

Far too many have been unable to get the help they need, and some have been grossly mistreated.

"I've had vets go to the VA and be turned away and told that this is something that doesn't exist," John Schwertfager, vice president of a veterans advocacy group, told the Los Angeles Times.

The Department of Defense's spending to research Gulf War health problems dwindled from $30 million in 2001 to less than $5 million in 2006. The panel appointed by Congress recommends yearly appropriations of $60 million to find causes and treatments.

Our nation has a multitude of needs right now. But Gulf War veterans must be a priority for the new Congress, and - under the circumstances - $60 million is the least Americans can do.