I don't think there is one cause of Gulf War illness.

But Gulf War Syndrome is not one cause, not one illness. It is many causes, many illnesses.

We knew shortly after the war that our troops were becoming ill.

Sadly, when it comes to diagnosis, treatment and research for Gulf War veterans, we find the federal government too often has a tin ear, a cold heart and a closed mind.

What we know from World War I is that some of our troops had acute symptoms of exposure to chemicals, had bad health and died because of chemical exposure in World War I.

Basically the DOD just, without any hesitation, said, This is not due to their experience in the Gulf War. And so the DOD was just totally in denial.