WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today announced up to $15 million in additional research funding for Gulf War illnesses.
“We still don’t have a definitive cause for Gulf War illnesses,” Principi said. “There has to be a reason why some of our veterans came home healthy, while others serving alongside them did not.”
Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is still examining the committee’s detailed, 143-page report, Principi said he is convinced there is sufficient justification for further scientific research.
The funding commitment represents the department’s single largest set-aside of research funding for a specific area of investigation and could constitute up to nearly 20 percent of VA’s new research grant awards for FY 2005. Over the past decade, VA has spent more than $50 million for research into Gulf War illnesses, and much of that work is still ongoing.
“I appreciate the hard work done during the last two and a half years by my special advisory committee, led by Jim Binns,” Principi said. “I know they share my commitment to solve this mystery.”
The 11-member committee, formally known as the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Illnesses, was appointed by Principi in January 2002.
# # #
###
Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
Subscribe today to receive these news releases in your inbox.
