Collaborative Specialty Care for Gulf War Illness

Gulf War Veterans (GWVs) with Gulf War Illness (GWI) do not receive the care they should in the Veterans Affairs (VA). The investigators' data show 70% of GWVs with Gulf War Illness (GWI) do not receive treatment recommendations for their GWI and 78% are NOT very satisfied with their care. The quality of care GWVs receive must improve. VA and DoD have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to develop new treatments for GWVs, without effective delivery methods GWVs will not benefit. This study will be the first study to examine the best model of care to deliver treatments to GWVs with GWI. Determining the best model of care to translate research into practice is a key goal of the VA Gulf War Strategic Plan and a specific aim of this Request for Applications.

Inclusion Criteria: * deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm * meets Kansas City (Steele) definition of GWI (which excludes conditions that may account for GWI) * rates their activity limitations from pain at least 3 on a 0 to 10 point scale * has a VA primary care provider Exclusion Criteria: * suicidal intent * previous evaluation at the WRIISC or participated in our clinical trial for GWVs with GWI