The federal government announced Friday it would speed up support for Canadian veterans suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Veterans Affairs Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn said in his announcement that "based on the latest medical research, our government has made changes so that veterans affected by ALS obtain the help and support they need and deserve faster than ever before."

He said the government has broadened the criteria to allow the ministry to accept applications for benefits from vets with ALS.

"I will also make the commitment to you in front of me today that these applications will be processed very quickly. Decisions will be rendered immediately," Blackburn said.

Veterans will now be able to receive disability benefits, treatments and home care support for their ALS, so that they can receive such things as adapted wheelchairs, medical resources, and housekeeping services.

Blackburn says it was the story of Gulf War veteran Brian Dyck, who publicly fought with the government for benefits for veterans with ALS, that led to the changes announced Friday.

Dyck died last Friday at age 42 after battling ALS for just over a year.

"Never again do I want to hear of a veteran with ALS who has expended his last ounces of energy fighting for the help he deserves," Blackburn told reporters.

David Cameron, president and CEO of the ALS Society of Canada, applauded Friday's announcement, noting that because of the progressive nature of ALS, some veterans were dying before their applications to Veterans Affairs Canada were processed.

ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease that causes the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord; about 80 per cent of those diagnosed die within two to five years.

Some research has suggested that war veterans have higher-than-usual rates of ALS. Three studies released in recent years have shown higher incidences of ALS among veterans of the 1990-91 Gulf War, though other studies have not found such a link.

Some of the authors of those studies called for more research to confirm the cause of any possible link, including chemicals, brain injuries, or other substances or activities.