Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, Subcommittee on Veteran Engagement, Notice of Meeting

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Ch. 10, that the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Subcommittee on Veteran Engagement will hold a Veteran Engagement Session (VES) on October 23, 2026 at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown, 2401 M Street NW, Washington, DC, 20037 in the Longmont room. The formal VES will begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (ET) followed by informal conversations with interested Gulf War Veterans until 8:00 p.m. (ET). This session will be open to the public.

The purpose of the Veteran Engagement subcommittee is to hear directly from Gulf War Veterans about past and current health and quality of life issues to better understand the Veteran's experience of living with Gulf War Illness. It is also an opportunity to share the importance of participating in research and the role of VA research in informing Veteran healthcare and policy. Information obtained from the session will be carried to the parent committee to support the RACGWVI mission to provide advice and make recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on proposed research studies, research plans, and research strategies relating to the health consequences of military service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the 1990-91 Gulf War.

Individuals wishing to seek additional information should contact Dr. Karen Block, Designated Federal Officer, at Karen.Block@va.gov.