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Gulf War Era Cohort Study

Completion Guide

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    Access Code
    Log in using the unique Access Code which was included in your postal letter.

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    Select an Answer
    Answer the questions to the best of your ability. There are no right or wrong answers.

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    Next/Previous
    Use the next or previous button to go between questions.

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    Submit
    When you have completed this online form, select “Submit Survey”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept volunteers who are not members of the original cohort selected in 1995. If you are eligible to participate in this study, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to complete the survey.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Gulf War Era Cohort Study is the largest and longest running health study of Veterans who served in the U.S. military during the 1990-1991 Gulf War Era. The study is a health survey of 15,000 Veterans who deployed to the Gulf War theatre of operations between 1990 and 1991 and 15,000 Veterans who were in the military during the same time but did not deploy to the Gulf region.

The purpose of the study is to understand the health concerns of Veterans of this time period, both those who deployed to the 1990-1991 Gulf War and those who did not, and how Veteran health and well-being have changed and continue to change over time. Those who served during the time of the 1990-1991 Gulf War had unique exposures and this study has allowed for VA researchers to understand how those exposures impact health. Results from this important study guide VA healthcare and benefits policy, planning, and delivery, helping to ensure that VA understands and can address the current and emerging health concerns of Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War Era. What the VA learns from the study will also help to ensure that Veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War Era receive the support services they need now and in the future.

The survey has been conducted approximately every 10 years over the past 30 years. Past surveys took place in 1995, 2005, and 2012.

As a valued member of the original cohort established in 1995, you and your contribution to the VA’s understanding of Veteran health and well-being are irreplaceable.

Not at all. Every member of the original cohort is invited, welcome and encouraged to participate in the current survey even if this is your first time.

The study involves completing a 30 minute long online survey using the study’s secure website. The survey topics include questions about your overall physical health and well-being, medical conditions, mental health including PTSD, depression, and other mental health concerns, and your health care use.

You can complete the survey online through the study’s secure website at https://vagulfwarstudy.com. You will be asked to enter your Unique Access Code (found in your invitation letter). If you need help completing the survey, feel free to ask a family member or caregiver.

Your participation is voluntary. You may choose not to participate or leave the study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

The results of this study will be used to help the VA understand and improve the health and well-being of Veterans who served in the U.S. military during the 1990-1991 Gulf War Era.

Information from past surveys has helped VA to identify, understand, and address Veteran health concerns such as the potential effects of environmental exposures, and other conditions experienced by deployed and non-deployed service members. To learn more about findings from the previous wave of this study visit: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/epidemiology/studies/gulf-war-follow-up.asp

Your responses will be kept confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside of the research team. The VA has hired Westat Inc., an independent research company in Rockville, Maryland, to conduct this study. Westat has taken many steps to protect your privacy and the confidentiality of the information you provide as required by the VA Central Institutional Review Board (IRB), which protects the rights and welfare of VA research study participants. These steps include but are not limited to obtaining a Certificate of Confidentiality, assigning a unique access code to each cohort member, administering the survey on a secure website, securely storing all data, restricting data access, and ensuring that study staff has the appropriate security clearance, and current training certification in the protection of human subjects, and data security protocol.

At the VA, the data will be stored and analyzed in a protected VA environment by selected VA researchers. Your answers will not be shared with VA healthcare providers, military commands, disability evaluators, insurance companies, or anyone else not directly involved in this study.

If you have received health services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), your survey data may also be linked to your medical records for research purposes only, then de-identified for analysis. In compliance with VHA Directive 1605.01, this may include VA records pertaining to alcohol and drug treatment but not sickle cell disease or HIV status.

Only the Westat research team will see your responses. They will keep your answers strictly confidential and will not share your responses with anyone outside of the research team, including VA healthcare providers, military commands, disability evaluators, insurance companies, or anyone else not directly involved in this research study. At the VA, the selected researchers analyzing the data will have access to the de-identified data only. Only the VA Principal Investigator, Dr. Erin Dursa will have access to the electronic crosswalk (linkage file) that links the de-identified data to participant names and other identifying information.

The only exception to our promise of confidentiality is if your answers indicate potential harm to yourself or others. In that case, we will inform the VA, and they may contact you and others who can provide you with help. Even then, we would only provide VA with the specific information regarding the potential for self-harm or harm to others. Your responses to the survey will not be shared.

Your information will be used for research purposes only and be kept for at least six years after closure of the study and then destroyed in accordance with VA Record Control Schedule 10-1 (RCS10-1). Congress has mandated that the VA conduct the Gulf War Era Cohort Study. Understanding the health and other needs of Veterans who have separated from the military is a long-term research effort.

While you may not benefit directly from participating in this study, your participation may benefit other Veterans by contributing to the VA’s understanding of how military service affects the health and well-being of those who serve.

Some of the questions deal with sensitive subjects, including mental health (e.g., PTSD, depression, and other mental health concerns), medical conditions, physical health, and health care use. Some Veterans may be uncomfortable or become upset answering some of these questions, and you can skip any question you prefer not to answer. You are also free to discontinue the survey at any time.
    If you experience any distress related to this survey or for other reasons, please:
  • Dial 988 and PRESS 1
  • Or send a text message to 838255
  • Or visit the online chat at https://veteranscrisisline.net
Other potential risks are the loss of privacy or confidentiality. As explained in the section titled “How is my information protected?” the research team has taken many steps to reduce these risks.

For more information, please contact the Gulf War Era Cohort Study Support Center at support@vagulfwarstudy.com or call toll-free at 1-844-904-1277. A study representative will be available weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (EST) to answer your questions. You can also contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Erin Dursa, at 224-443-9627 or at Erin.Dursa2@va.gov. For questions about your rights as a study participant or to make sure this is a valid VA study, contact the VA Central Institutional Review Board toll-free at 1-877-254-3130.

Mental Health Resources

If you experience any distress related to this survey or for other reasons, please:
Dial 988 and PRESS 1
Or send a text message to 838255
Or visit the online chat at https://veteranscrisisline.net.

Survey support

If you have any questions related to this study or need technical assistance, please contact a study representative weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (EST) by email at support@vagulfwarstudy.com or by phone toll-free at 1-844-904-1277.