VA disability benefits for toxic exposure at Karshi-Khanabad continue increasing, while advocates call for more comprehensive coverage for veterans who were stationed at the air base. Here’s what you need to know about VA disability benefits for K2 veterans.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
If you were one of more than 15,000 service members who served at the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan and you have developed health issues, those issues may be tied to your military service. This post explains what VA disability benefits K2 veterans may qualify for.
In this article about K2 toxic exposure for K2 veterans:
What is the Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base?
In 2001, the U.S. military established Camp Stronghold Freedom at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan. The one-square-mile base is in southeastern Uzbekistan, near the Tajikistan border.
Historically, the site was used by the Soviet military to support operations in Afghanistan in the late 1970s. During this time, it housed chemical weapons, uranium, jet fuel, and other toxic substances.
From October 2001 to November 2005, the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marines used the site for Operation Enduring Freedom and other regional military operations. As a result, service members on active duty in Uzbekistan between Oct. 1, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2005 are considered K2 veterans.
“Everyone was extremely professional and seemed to be very concerned with my case. They always keep me informed about my case and the process. I would recommend in a minute.”
M.S., an Army vet in Oklahoma
From a Google review for Woods & Woods
K2 toxic exposures
Because of complaints from service members about smells, heat, noise, and poor air quality, the government completed an Environmental Site Characterization and an Operational Health Risk Assessment at K2 in November 2001. They did follow-up assessments in 2002 and 2004.
These studies found that service members stationed at K2 may have been exposed to toxins. Those exposures may have included:
- Jet fuel. This exposure may have occurred because of leaks in a Soviet-era underground jet fuel distribution system. This leaked jet fuel likely caused some of the odor and a “black goo” service members reported finding when digging.
- Noise. While the assessments found that K2 was loud because of things like a power generator and refrigeration unit, it wasn’t any louder than a major city.
- Volatile organic compounds. Assessments found volatile organic compounds from jet fuel vapors in the air, but they didn’t exceed military exposure guidelines or other health exposure criteria.
- Particulate matter and dust. How much dust and other particulate matter service members were exposed to depends on the season and weather conditions, but they were likely to deal with some levels of dust and debris in the air.
- Depleted uranium. Soviet missiles were destroyed at K2 before the U.S. military was stationed there. This destruction contaminated some areas with low-level, radioactive, depleted uranium.
- Asbestos. Asbestos was found in roof tiles and dirt on the base but not in air samples.
- Lead-based paint. Lead paint was found in at least one building on the site.
News media reported in June 2002 that trace amounts of nerve and blister agents were found at K2. Testing was done, and chemical warfare agents (CWA) were not found on site, leading officials to determine that the first test was likely a false positive.
VA disability for K2 veterans
Some research has discovered health issues in veterans who were stationed at K2. For example, the Department of Defense found that veterans who served at K2 were at higher risk for certain types of cancers. However, the connection between K2 and illnesses resulting from toxic exposure has not been consistent enough for the VA to guarantee disability benefits for these veterans.
The VA is taking steps to make disability benefits more available to K2 veterans, including making undiagnosed illness and medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (also known as Gulf War Syndrome) presumptive conditions for them.
A presumptive service connection means that when a qualifying veteran applies for VA disability, they are not required to prove a “medical nexus,” or proof that their condition is medically linked to service. Instead, the condition is automatically presumed service connected.
K2 veterans are already eligible for presumptive benefits for disabilities covered under the PACT Act as Gulf War veterans, including conditions that result from exposure to burn pits and other toxins. These veterans may also receive disability benefits for conditions resulting from exposure to jet fuel and cancer, but they must be able to prove a service connection for those conditions.
“Woods and Woods are the only attorneys I would recommend for veterans, they did a great job for me. 100 percent P&T disability, very caring and understanding. They will not quit until they win. I am so thankful for what they did for me.”
B.C., a Navy veteran in California
From a Google review for Woods & Woods
How Woods and Woods can help
Our TDIU lawyers have helped thousands of veterans nationwide who can no longer work because of their service-connected conditions. Call us today for your free, confidential TDIU case evaluation. You won’t pay us unless we win your claim.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base can get VA disability. K2 veterans are eligible for presumptive benefits for disabilities covered under the PACT Act. They may also receive disability benefits for conditions resulting from exposure to jet fuel, but they must be able to prove a service connection for those conditions.
Many people believe that veterans who served at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan were exposed to toxins such as jet fuel and depleted uranium. Research has shown that these veterans could develop health conditions as a result. However, the connection between K2 and illnesses resulting from toxic exposure has not been consistent enough for the VA to guarantee disability benefits for these veterans.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
