“The second you arrived at K2 you noticed the signs everywhere that said ‘Danger Radiation.’ I remember hearing from the other guys that this place was toxic,” said Mark T. Jackson, a former Army staff sergeant who served at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan in 2003 and 2004. Jackson and other K2 veterans have said they often saw chemical residue from old weapons and jet fuel oozing in black pools at the base. (Mark Jackson) WASHINGTON — Veterans who have suffered debilitating illnesses after exposure to jet fuel, solvents and other environmental hazards while serving at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base in Uzbekistan after Sept. 11, 2001, will be able to receive disability benefits, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced.
The VA said it is taking steps to expand access to disability compensation and other benefits for veterans who served at the base known as K2 that include making “undiagnosed illnesses” and “medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness” — also known as Gulf War syndrome — presumptive, qualifying conditions to receive disability benefits.
While the Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promising to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act — also known as the PACT Act — has recognized burn pit exposure at the K2 base , other claims related to exposures to contaminants previously were not upheld.
“This will lower the burden of proof required for veterans who served at K2 to receive presumptive benefits for these conditions,” said Terrence Hayes, the VA press secretary.
But the VA stopped short Monday of saying the agency will recognize and award disability compensation to K2 veterans with claims that their medical conditions are connected to radiation exposure at the Soviet-era air base.
“VA encourages any veterans who believe they have conditions related to radiation exposure to apply for compensation and health care benefits today, and we will do everything in our power to provide them with the care and benefits they deserve,” according to a VA statement. “Many conditions that could be connected to radiation exposure are already considered presumptively related to toxic exposures at K2 and certain other locations, as a part of the 300 conditions in the […]
K2 veterans with unexplained medical conditions to qualify for VA disability assistance
