AN EX-SOLDIER who claims to be suffering from Gulf War Syndrome said he is elated with the High Court ruling which recognises the so-called illness.

Dave Morrison, who served with the Third Royal Fusiliers in the 1991 conflict, welcomed the decision to uphold the Pensions Appeal Tribunal Finding to award veteran Shaun Rusling a war pension.

It means veterans with diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome attributable to service can now claim a pension, on an individual case-by-case basis.

The 34-year-old from Hindley Green, who said he has suffered from a series of debilitating symptoms associated with Gulf War Syndrome, plans to claim for a war pension -- 12 years after the conflict.

He told the Journal: "I'm elated with the High Court decision -- a court of law has finally recognised Gulf War Syndrome. I have just been diagnosed by my doctor with Gulf War Syndrome, so I've put a claim in for a war pension with the WPA. Before this court ruling, I couldn't do that."

19 symptoms

Dave, who is an NEC member of the National Gulf War Veterans' & Families Association, said he suffers from 19 symptoms which relate to Gulf War Syndrome, including depression, memory loss, fatigue, breathlessness and osteoporosis -- a brittle bones disease . And he believes these were caused by multiple vaccinations given to him prior to the start of Gulf War One.

"I've had no treatment at all during the past 12 years. We were exposed to depleted uranium and still I haven't had one single urine test. The War Pensions Agency recognise the symptoms I'm suffering from but they are not prepared to say it's Gulf War Syndrome. I have been diagnosed as suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which I'm getting a war pension for -- but I've had no treatment for PTSD at all.

"Suffering from Gulf War Syndrome has had a massive effect on my life. I've had lots of jobs since the end of the war, and gone from earning £24,000 a year and owning a company car through to doing driving jobs and earning next to nothing. I'm now a self-employed locksmith thanks to a grant from the Royal British Legion, who helped me get started in business."

Manchester-based law firm Linda Myers, who were Shaun Rusling's solicitors, said the ruling was important for all veterans.

They said: "The decision is of great importance to other veterans of the first Gulf War. Almost certainly, many of them will have the opportunity of attempting to prove the existence of Gulf War Syndrome, and by so doing, obtain recognition of their condition."

Dave has now urged Leigh MP Andy Burnham to support an Early Day Motion -- which called on the Government to recognise the "powerful" evidence which suggests there is a link between the cocktail of inoculations taken and the long term illness suffered among veterans from the 1991 Gulf War -- already signed by 51 MPs.

Mr Morrison said veterans who wanted advice could call the NVGFA on 01482 808730 during office hours, or visit the website www.ngvfa.com