Britain rules Gulf War Syndrome exists

LONDON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A British Ministry of Defense tribunal has made a landmark ruling that Gulf War Syndrome exists, and soldiers with it must be given disability pensions.

Former soldier Daniel Martin, 35, who has suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss and impaired concentration since the 1991 conflict, will receive a disability award under the "umbrella term" of Gulf War Syndrome.

Martin served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

At least 1,500 other British veterans will now be able to claim a war pension, The Times of London said.

The veterans and their doctors have blamed illnesses on numerous vaccines they were given for protection against chemical and biological warfare. They also suspected that the organophosphate pesticides used to spray their tents to kill desert bugs may have contributed, the report said.

However, for 14 years, the Ministry of Defense has denied the syndrome exists, and refused to pay disability pensions.