Care of Veterans With Service in Uzbekistan

What it means

Directs the VA to consider designating veterans who served in Uzbekistan (2001-2005) as combat theater veterans. Orders the Defense Department to study toxic exposures at Karshi-Khanabad Air Base and submit findings within a year, including assessment of health impacts and potential causal relationships.

Expected impact

• Potential expansion of VA healthcare eligibility for thousands of veterans who served in Uzbekistan
• Increased recognition of service-related health issues for Karshi-Khanabad Air Base veterans
• Possible establishment of presumptive service connections for certain conditions, streamlining the disability claims process
• Greater transparency about environmental hazards faced by service members at overseas bases
• Relief for veterans who have struggled to prove service connections to their illnesses