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Definition of Gulf War syndrome
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Gulf War syndrome: A syndrome involving a constellation of illnesses experienced by 5,000 to 80,000 American veterans who were in the Gulf War. (The Veterans Administration considers those who served between August 2, 1990 and July 31, 1991 as "Gulf War Conflict" veterans.) Causes of Gulf War Syndrome are not yet well understood. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, muscle and/or joint pain, gastrointestinal complaints, neurological problems, and possibly tumors.