The threshold for the RO to order a Gulf War General Medical examination is very low. While the Veteran does not have to express explicitly that the claim he or she files is due to Gulf War Service, VBA verifies Gulf War Service when reviewing a claim. If the claim fits the description of conditions listed under 38 CFR 3.317(a)(2)(B) or 3.317(b), and VBA confirms the Veteran’s service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, VBA will consider the claim for service-connection on the basis of Gulf War Service and list the Gulf War General Medical documentation protocol or template on the examination request (VA form 21-2507).

The C&P Gulf War General Medical documentation protocol is different from the C&P General Medical documentation protocol. The C&P General Medical documentation protocol is not sufficient for a Gulf War General Medical examination because the C&P General Medical documentation protocol does not address claimed symptoms of undiagnosed illness.

The latest version of the Gulf War General Medical documentation protocol can be accessed at this DMA intranet site:http://vbacodmoint1.vba.va.gov/bl/21/DBQ/.

Specific complaints listed on the examination request (21-2507) usually prompt you to open and complete appropriate documentation protocols in addition to the Gulf War General Medical documentation protocol. All documentation protocols are available at the DMA intranet site, or at this public website: http://benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/dbq_ListByDBQFormName.asp. Please note: documentation protocol names may differ from those in CAPRI (Compensation and Pension Record Interchange).