Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) said its advocacy contributed to the Department of Defense (DoD) updating language on its Health.mil website to state certain Gulf War service members were “likely exposed” under specific circumstances.
“Words matter, especially when veterans are trying to navigate complex health questions decades after their service,” said James McCormick, executive director of VVA, in a statement. “This change is an important step toward acknowledging that for many Gulf War veterans, exposure was not merely possible, but likely.”
The update replaces earlier wording that described exposures more tentatively and follows years of engagement between VVA and federal officials. The organization said it has urged agencies since 2017 to use language that reflects operational records and investigative findings related to Gulf War exposure scenarios.
Health.mil serves as a primary source of military health information, and VVA has said unclear language can create confusion for veterans and families seeking to understand potential exposure risks and related health concerns.
DoD investigations into the demolition of Iraqi chemical munitions sites during the 1991 Gulf War identified areas where service members were likely exposed to low levels of chemical warfare agents, including the Khamisiyah demolitions. Earlier notifications to affected veterans used more tentative phrasing that they “may have been exposed,” even as internal findings pointed to a higher probability of contact.
Gulf War veterans have reported persistent health issues for decades and continue to seek information about possible links between symptoms and deployment-related exposures. While eligibility for benefits is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs under separate statutory authorities, clearer DoD language can help veterans and clinicians better understand exposure scenarios and inform health decisions.
“Updating a webpage does not by itself solve the problems veterans face,” said Tom Burke, national president of VVA. “But accurate language is a meaningful step. It reduces ambiguity, improves understanding, and helps move the conversation toward the practical question veterans ask every day: ‘What should I do now to protect my health?’”
VVA is a congressionally chartered veterans service organization founded in 1978 that advocates for health care access, disability benefits, and accountability in federal policy affecting veterans across multiple service eras, including those exposed to toxic hazards during the Gulf War. The organization has engaged federal agencies and lawmakers on exposure-related issues for years, pressing for clearer public health communication and recognition of service-related risks affecting long-term veteran health outcomes.
