Gulf War Side Effects

Kevin Simon

Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kevin-simon2/subscribe Become a Paid Subscriber: https://anchor.fm/kevin-simon2/subscribe A podcast to spread awareness about Gulf War illness and the side effects faced by the veterans that were involved in the conflict. The goal is to provide information, exchange stories, and help unite veterans.

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33 episodes
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Avg 58 min
English

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#272
Monday · 56 min
Desert Storm Veterans on Fear, War, Memories & How It Changed Them
Four questions. One war. Five veterans with very different experiences. In this episode of Gulf War Side Effects, veterans from the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine Corps come together to answer four personal questions about Desert Shield and Desert Storm: When did you realize, “Holy crap—we're at war?” When were you the most scared? What was the most impressive thing you did or witnessed? Did the war change you? If so, how? Kevin, Wade, Jason, Paul and Hector share stories from completely different perspectives—from ships at sea and intelligence operations to airborne units, infantry missions and battlefield medicine. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#271
November 4 · 59 min
Kevin & Wade on the RAC Meeting, Memorial Dedication and Gulf War Veterans
Kevin Simon and Wade Ranard are back from Washington, D.C., and in this episode of Gulf War Side Effects, they break down the good, the bad and the ugly from an unforgettable weekend for Desert Shield and Desert Storm veterans. After more than four years of working together on the podcast, Kevin and Wade finally met in person for the first time—and immediately hit the streets of Washington. The main reason for the trip was the dedication of the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial. Kevin and Wade share what it was like to finally stand at the memorial, see thousands of Gulf War veterans come together, meet veterans and advocates they had only spoken with online, and experience a weekend that had been decades in the making. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com Subscribe to the podcast at:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iZtzQqcVtekSPiE3wKa1IiTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gulf-war-side-effects/id1573060506Thank you to everyone involved in making the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial a reality and to every veteran who came up and spoke with us in Washington.Please LIKE, SHARE and SUBSCRIBE to Gulf War Side Effects as we continue preserving the stories, history and experiences of Gulf War veterans.#DesertStormMemorial #DesertStorm #DesertShield #GulfWarVeterans #WashingtonDC #GulfWarIllness #Veterans #MilitaryHistory #GulfWarSideEffects
October 28 · 3 hr
RAC Meeting Washington DC
Washington DC 2026 RAC Veterans Engagement Session
#270
October 26 · 44 min
Bringing Washington, D.C. to Gulf War Veterans
In this episode of Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon and Wade Ranard talk about their upcoming trip to Washington for the National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial dedication—and how we plan to bring as much of the experience as possible to veterans who cannot be there in person. This isn’t just a sightseeing trip. Our goal is to document this historic weekend, meet Gulf War veterans from across the country, hear their stories, cover important veteran events, and bring Washington, D.C. directly to our Gulf War Side Effects audience. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#269
October 19 · 53 min
Karl on Becoming a Shellback and the Navy’s Wildest Tradition
In this episode of Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon and Wade Ranard bring Karl back to talk about one of the United States Navy's most famous traditions: going from a Pollywog to a Shellback during the Crossing the Line ceremony. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7 Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#268
October 12 · 1 hr 1 min
Ron Brown on Gulf War Illness, VA Claims and the Fight for Recognition
Ron Brown joins Gulf War Side Effects for an important discussion about Gulf War Illness, VA claims, presumptive conditions, the Gulf War Illness ICD-10 code, toxic exposures, and the continuing fight to get Desert Storm veterans properly recognized and treated.Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#267
October 5 · 55 min
Rus Currie on 37 Years in Uniform, Iraq and a Lifetime of Service
After 37 years in uniform, Rus Currie is finally retiring. Russ joins Gulf War Side Effects to look back on an extraordinary military career that crossed multiple branches, components, deployments and generations of service. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7 Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#266
September 28 · 56 min
Tony Corzo on PTSD, Brain Fog and Helping Veterans with Peak Neuro
Marine Corps veteran Tony Corzo joins Gulf War Side Effects to talk about his military career, Beirut, counterintelligence, PTSD, sleep problems, brain fog, and why he created Peak Neuro.Tony shares the story of why he joined the Marine Corps, his unusual career in counterintelligence, his experience connected to Beirut, and the difficult transition that followed his military service.Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
September 21 · 49 min
Kevin Carey on Desert Storm, General Schwarzkopf and Surviving a Massive Stroke
Army veteran Kevin Carey joins Gulf War Side Effects to share his story of military service, Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the 101st Airborne Division, Gulf War exposures, veterans' benefits, and an incredible fight for survival years after leaving the military. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7 Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/ Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#263
September 7 · 1 hr 29 min
Gary Null on Gulf War Syndrome, Veterans, and the Fight for Answers
Gary Null joins Gulf War Side Effects for a wide-ranging conversation about Gulf War veterans, Gulf War Syndrome, toxic exposure, homelessness, veteran advocacy, and his decades of work documenting the experiences of sick and struggling veterans. Gary discusses how his work with veterans began before Desert Storm and eventually led him to investigate Gulf War illness and produce several documentaries focused on Gulf War veterans, including Gulf War Syndrome: Killing Our Own, Friendly Fire: Exposing Gulf War Syndrome, and American Veterans: Discarded and Forgotten. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7 Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/ Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#264
September 7 · 35 min
Remembering 9/11: 25 Years Later and Why Veterans Must Unite
25 years after September 11, 2001, Kevin Simon and Wade Ranard share their personal memories of 9/11, watching the second plane hit, seeing the towers collapse. They also remember the firefighters, police officers, first responders, military members, and ordinary Americans who stepped forward during one of the darkest days in American history.Where were you when you first heard that a plane had struck the World Trade Center?Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#262
August 31 · 54 min
William Brooks on Surviving an IED and the Major Richard Star Act
Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon and Wade sit down with William Brooks, an Iraq War veteran and bilateral above-the-knee amputee whose remarkable story of survival, recovery, and veteran advocacy puts a human face on the fight for the Major Richard Star Act.Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#261
August 24 · 56 min
Mission 75 Bringing Veterans of Every Era Together
Kevin Simon and Wade are joined by Capt. James McCormack and Fran, Rhode Island State Representative for Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA), for an important conversation about the future of veteran advocacy. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7 Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/ Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#260
August 17 · 1 hr
The Major Richard Star Act: Why Combat Veterans Are Still Waiting
Tonight on Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon sits down with David Star, brother of Major Richard Star, and Capt. Bob Carey, Executive Director of the National Defense Committee, for an important discussion about the Major Richard Star Act and the fight to end what advocates call the “Wounded Warrior Tax.” Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Fill out the Form👉 https://forms.gle/LxhMb5T4JQEhcAVf7 Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com Subscribe to the podcast at:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iZtzQqcVtekSPiE3wKa1IiTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gulf-war-side-effects/id1573060506
#259
August 10 · 56 min
Gulf War Illness ICD-10 Part 2: Why Veterans Still Can’t Get the Diagnosis
Wade and Kevin welcome back Ronald Brown, Toxic Wounds Consultant with Vietnam Veterans of America, for Part 2 of our Gulf War Illness ICD-10 discussion. The new Gulf War Illness ICD-10 code officially went live on October 1, 2025, but many Desert Storm veterans are still reporting that their VA doctors either cannot find the code in the system or do not know how to properly enter the diagnosis. Ron breaks down what the ICD-10 code actually means, what it does NOT mean, why veterans should understand the six Gulf War Illness symptom domains, and what steps veterans can take if their VA provider cannot—or will not—document Gulf War Illness in their medical record. IMPORTANT Having the Gulf War Illness ICD-10 diagnosis in your medical record does not automatically provide VA disability compensation today.Veterans should continue filing for applicable service-connected and presumptive conditions under current VA regulations while advocacy continues for Gulf War Illness itself to receive a dedicated VA rating structure. 👉 Subscribe for weekly Gulf War veteran interviews, VA updates, Gulf War Illness research, toxic exposure information and Desert Storm history. 👉 Share this episode with another Desert Storm veteran who has been trying to get Gulf War Illness documented in their medical record. 👉 Take our ICD-10 poll on the Gulf War Side Effects Facebook page and let us know whether your doctor has successfully entered the Gulf War Illness diagnosis. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#258
August 3 · 1 hr
UFOs, UAPs & Desert Storm Veterans: What Did We Really See?
Tonight on Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon, Wade Wranard, Ronald Brown, and James McCormick tackle UFOs, UAPs, government secrecy, and the experiences of Desert Storm veterans.Rather than focusing on wild speculation, the panel explores the difference between conspiracy and documented facts, discusses newly released government information, and asks why so many Gulf War records remain classified while thousands of UFO-related documents continue to be declassified. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#257
July 27 · 53 min
The Biggest Mistakes Made During Desert Storm & What We Learned
Tonight on Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon, Wade Wranard, Hector Soto, and Paul take a hard look back at Operation Desert Storm and ask an important question: What mistakes were made, and what lessons did the military learn from them? Drawing from their own firsthand experiences, the panel discusses the logistical challenges, environmental disasters, friendly fire incidents, chemical alarms, MOPP gear, combat operations, and the long-term impact many Gulf War veterans still live with today. This isn't about criticizing those who served—it's about learning from history so future generations can do better. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#256
July 20 · 44 min
The Truth About H.R. 9237: Section 108 & What Veterans Need to Know
Tonight on Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon and Wade are joined by James McCormack (Vietnam Veterans of America) and Ron Brown for an in-depth discussion of H.R. 9237 – The Taking Care of America's Veterans Act.Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#255
July 13 · 45 min
John O'Connor's Incredible Story of Faith & Recovery
Tonight, on Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon and Wade welcome John O'Connor, whose remarkable story of survival, faith, and perseverance proves that even life's greatest challenges don't have to define your future. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify.com/Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com
#254
July 6 · 58 min
AH-64 Apache Pilot Todd Branda: Flying Combat Missions During Desert Storm
Tonight on Gulf War Side Effects, Kevin Simon and Wade welcome Todd Branda, a former AH-64 Apache pilot who flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. Get access to past and bonus content with exclusive guest. Please help support the podcast and veterans so we can keep making the show - patreon.com/GulfWarSideEffects▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Merch: https://gulfwarsideeffects.myshopify....Contact me with your questions, comments, or concerns at kevinsimon@gulfwarsideeffects.com

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