Gulf War Illness disability application checklist

If you are a Persian Gulf Veteran and believe you have Gulf War Illness (GWI), this checklist will guide you through applying for disability benefits with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

Our goal is to make this process clear and focused.

Step 1: Submit your application

• Apply online using My VAC Account or by mail using a paper form. You must include your diagnosis, and how it relates to your service.

Using the guided web form (PEN 923) in My VAC Account makes applying easy and fast.

• Your application saves automatically, so you can start now and finish later.
• Questions are tailored to your condition for a personalized experience.
• The form auto-fills details where possible and checks that everything is complete before you submit.

Step 2: Take the Medical Questionnaire to your health care provider

• After your application is received, VAC will provide the appropriate medical questionnaire for you to take to your health care provider. This will also include who can complete the form. Your provider will submit the completed Medical Questionnaire and their invoice to VAC.

Step 3: VAC review process

Once VAC receives your application, a disability adjudicator will review:

• Your medical information provided by the health professional, and
• Your service records.

If there is clear medical evidence of a chronic or permanent disability, the disability adjudicator looks at two things:

1. Your entitlement – is the disability related to service? and
2. Your assessment – How severe is the disability and how does it affect your quality of life?

Step 4: Communication and decision

• VAC may contact you for clarification at any time during the process.
• Once a decision is rendered, you will be sent a letter outlining the decision. This letter will include your appeal rights and, if the decision is favourable, any applicable payment information.

More information: What do I need to include in my application for a disability benefit?