MoD 'putting up fences' on Gulf War veterans' pensions

HUNDREDS of sick Gulf War veterans are still having to go through drawn-out and distressing appeals to get war pensions, a charity claimed yesterday.

Those left ill from the 1990-91 conflict must seek compensation for each individual symptom because the Ministry of Defence refuses to recognise "Gulf War Syndrome" as a medical condition, according to the National Gulf Veterans and Families Association (NGVFA).

Many give up after repeatedly having their disabilities challenged and their claims rejected, the group said.

The NGVFA claims 9,700 British veterans have suffered from a cocktail of Gulf War-related health problems, typically including chronic headaches, cognitive difficulties, depression, unexplained fatigue, rashes and breathing problems.

NGVFA trustee Shaun Rusling said the Gulf veterans had been treated in an "absolutely despicable manner".

He said hundreds were still going through the appeals process to get compensated for their suffering and accused the MoD of "putting up fences" to stop them getting the pensions they are due.

An MoD spokesman said: "Often veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf conflict have submitted claims for more than 20 different conditions or symptoms at a time, which means it can take time to consider all the evidence and conclude a claim or an appeal."