Functional GI disorders disproportionately impact veterans and active duty military personnel. Deployed soldiers face a heightened chance of developing a functional GI disorder due to their exposure to certain risk factors, such as infections of the GI tract and severe stress. This link is well documented in medical literature, including 2 pivotal National Academy of Sciences reports on health effects of serving in the Gulf War, which were critical in supporting the VA’s final rule.

For many years, IFFGD has been working with lawmakers and government officials to see that meaningful steps are taken to improve care and bolster research for our FGIMDs-affected veterans and active duty military personnel. The VA’s recent action is a key indicator of how community advocacy and grassroots efforts to raise awareness of FGIMDs have been successful in legitimizing the seriousness of these conditions.