Ottawa/IBNS, Dec. 19 -- Canada has formally recognised Gulf War Illness as a diagnosis for disability benefit applications, aiming at improving access to services for Canadian veterans who served in the Persian Gulf.

Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight said the change took effect immediately following her appearance before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs on December 2.

The update allows Persian Gulf veterans to have disability claims assessed under a streamlined process.

Under the new approach, applications will be reviewed by nurse adjudicators who can make decisions without additional consultations with medical advisers.

Veterans with the diagnosis, or those experiencing related symptoms not previousl...