NATIONAL ACADEMIES REVIEW OF BEST TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC MULTISYMPTOM ILLNESS IN PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS.

SEC. 805. NATIONAL ACADEMIES REVIEW OF BEST TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC MULTISYMPTOM ILLNESS IN PERSIAN GULF WAR VETERANS.(a) In General.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to carry out a comprehensive review of the best treatments for chronic multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf War veterans and an evaluation of how such treatment approaches could best be disseminated throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the care and benefits provided to veterans.(b) Group of Medical Professionals.—Under any agreement entered into under subsection (a), the Institute of Medicine shall convene a group of medical professionals who are experienced in treating individuals who served as members of the Armed Forces in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations of the Persian Gulf War during 1990 or 1991 and who have been diagnosed with chronic multisymptom illness or another health condition related to chemical and environmental exposure that may have occurred during such service.(c) Report.—Any agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall require the Institute of Medicine to submit to the Secretary and to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the review and evaluation described in subsection (a) by not later than December 31, 2012. The report shall include such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Institute considers appropriate in light of the results of the review.(d) Funding.—Pursuant to any agreement entered into under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide the Institute of Medicine with such funds as are necessary to ensure the timely completion of the review described that subsection.(e) Definitions.—For purposes of this section:(1) The term “chronic multisymptom illness in Persian Gulf War veterans” means a chronic multisymptom illness defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms relating to service in the Persian Gulf War, typically including widespread pain, persistent memory and concentration problems, chronic headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and other abnormalities not explained by well-established diagnoses.(2) The term “Persian Gulf War” has the meaning given that term in section 101(33) of title 38, United States Code.