Central nervous system disorders such as fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) have been recognized for decades but remain misunderstood by researchers and practitioners, belying clear etiological definition, diagnoses, and treatment. The aftermath of the Gulf War brought with it a phenomenon of symptoms characterizing such dysfunctions. This trend shifted the typical profiles of FM and CFIDS, which in the past included higher prevalence among women, and people increasing with age, to a primarily military‐aged, male population. The present study examines, through logistic regression, exposure to chemical and environmental toxins and psychological traumas as risk factors for FM‐ and CFIDS‐related health symptoms. Chemical exposure emerged as a statistically significant risk factor. Implications for research and practice are presented.