On August 9, 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced measures to expand access to benefits for Veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base in Uzbekistan after September 11, 2001, and their survivors. These steps include:
Making chronic multi-symptom illness a presumptive condition for K2 Veterans: The VA plans to consider Veterans who served in Uzbekistan as Persian Gulf Veterans. This will make undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (also known as Gulf War Illness) presumptive conditions for K2 Veterans, lowering the burden of proof required to receive these benefits.
Recognition of exposures at K2 as toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs): The VA intends to acknowledge that K2 Veterans were exposed to contaminants such as jet fuel, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and dust, asbestos roofing tiles, and lead-based paint. The VA is collaborating with the Department of Defense to research additional exposures.
Ensuring toxic exposures are fully considered when processing K2 claims: The VA will provide information and training about service at K2 to all claims processors and examiners. This includes a list of contaminants that Veterans were exposed to while serving there. Consequently, every time a K2 Veteran submits a disability claim, these exposures will be taken into account.
Pre-decisional review of K2 claims: Before deciding on a K2 Veteran’s claim, it will undergo an additional review to ensure all relevant information is considered and all entitled benefits are granted. This applies only to original claims tied to exposures.
Additionally, all eligible K2 Veterans can enroll in VA health care without needing to apply for disability compensation first. They are also eligible for presumptive benefits under the PACT Act for over 300 conditions without needing to prove service connection.
The VA will continue exploring ways to support K2 Veterans and their survivors. It encourages all eligible individuals to apply for care and benefits by visiting VA.gov or calling 1-800-MYVA411.
“At VA, our goal is to provide every Veteran who served at K2 with the care and benefits that they deserve for their service to our nation — and that’s what this effort is all about,” said Josh Jacobs, Under Secretary for Benefits at the VA. “In addition to these important steps forward, we want all Veterans who served at K2 to know that they are currently eligible both to enroll in VA health care (without first applying for VA benefits) and for presumptive benefits for the more than 300 health conditions under the PACT Act. We encourage these Veterans — and their survivors —to apply for VA care and benefits by visiting VA.gov or calling 1-800-MYVA411. We will do everything in our power to get you the care and benefits you deserve.”
The VA is conducting extensive outreach efforts towards K2 Veterans and their survivors. As a result of these efforts, approximately 13,002 out of an estimated 16,000 known K2 Veterans are currently enrolled in VA healthcare; additionally, 11,801 have been service-connected for at least one condition.
