WASHINGTON - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today announced up to $15 million in additional research funding for Gulf War illnesses.

"We still don't have a definitive cause for Gulf War illnesses," Principi said. "There has to be a reason why some of our veterans came home healthy, while others serving alongside them did not."

Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is still examining the committee's detailed, 143-page report, Principi said he is convinced there is sufficient justification for further scientific research.

The funding commitment represents the department's single largest set-aside of research funding for a specific area of investigation and could constitute up to nearly 20 percent of VA's new research grant awards for FY 2005. Over the past decade, VA has spent more than $50 million for research into Gulf War illnesses, and much of that work is still ongoing.

"I appreciate the hard work done during the last two and a half years by my special advisory committee, led by Jim Binns," Principi said. "I know they share my commitment to solve this mystery."