VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
Southwest Asia Theater, Including Specified Waters And Airspace Presumptive Service Reference
Read the listed service dates and 26 condition pathways for Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace, with source-specific limits and official citations.
This location group preserves the places and activity limits stated together in the source. It is not an individual service-history assessment. Conditions, dates and legal pathways must be read together.
| Condition | Exposure | Listed Service Locations | Service Dates | Criteria And Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asthma | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Rhinitis | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Sinusitis, including rhinosinusitis | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Adenocarcinoma of the trachea | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Large cell carcinoma of the lung | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung | Burn Pits and Particulates | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | The condition may manifest to any degree, including noncompensable, at any time after separation from qualifying service. The former ten-year limit is not applied. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions remain. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. |
| Undiagnosed illness | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Requires objective indications of qualifying chronic disability, lasting at least six months or showing intermittent episodes over six months. Under current 38 U.S.C. 1117 it may manifest to any degree at any time; the older regulatory December 2026/10% restriction is not applied. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 U.S.C. 1117; 38 CFR 3.317(a). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4 |
| Medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Requires objective indications of qualifying chronic disability, lasting at least six months or showing intermittent episodes over six months. Under current 38 U.S.C. 1117 it may manifest to any degree at any time; the older regulatory December 2026/10% restriction is not applied. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 U.S.C. 1117; 38 CFR 3.317(a). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4 |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Requires objective indications of qualifying chronic disability, lasting at least six months or showing intermittent episodes over six months. Under current 38 U.S.C. 1117 it may manifest to any degree at any time; the older regulatory December 2026/10% restriction is not applied. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 U.S.C. 1117; 38 CFR 3.317(a). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4 |
| Fibromyalgia | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Requires objective indications of qualifying chronic disability, lasting at least six months or showing intermittent episodes over six months. Under current 38 U.S.C. 1117 it may manifest to any degree at any time; the older regulatory December 2026/10% restriction is not applied. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 U.S.C. 1117; 38 CFR 3.317(a). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4 |
| Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Requires objective indications of qualifying chronic disability, lasting at least six months or showing intermittent episodes over six months. Under current 38 U.S.C. 1117 it may manifest to any degree at any time; the older regulatory December 2026/10% restriction is not applied. Structural gastrointestinal diseases are excluded from this category. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 U.S.C. 1117; 38 CFR 3.317(a). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 · Source 4 |
| Brucellosis | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation from qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Campylobacter jejuni | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation from qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation from qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Malaria | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation, or at a time when accepted treatises establish that incubation began during qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10%, with no time limit after qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Nontyphoid Salmonella | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation from qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Shigella | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation from qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| Visceral leishmaniasis | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10%, with no time limit after qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
| West Nile virus | Gulf War | Southwest Asia theater, including specified waters and airspace | On or after August 2, 1990, during the Persian Gulf War | Must become manifest to at least 10% within one year after separation from qualifying service. Regulatory rebuttal exceptions apply. The theater includes Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea, and the airspace above those locations. 38 CFR 3.317(c). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
Related Condition References
- Asthma
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis, including rhinosinusitis
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea
- Adenocarcinoma of the trachea
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea
- Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung
- Large cell carcinoma of the lung
- Salivary gland-type tumors of the lung
- Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung
- Typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung
- Undiagnosed illness
- Medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome
- Brucellosis
- Campylobacter jejuni
- Coxiella burnetii (Q fever)
- Malaria
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Nontyphoid Salmonella
- Shigella
- Visceral leishmaniasis
- West Nile virus
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Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
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