K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2025
The K2 Veterans Total Coverage Act of 2025 would expand the BO relationship between military service and disability benefits for veterans who served at Karshi Khanabad Air Base (K2) in Uzbekistan. Specifically, it amends 38 U.S.C. §1120(b) to add a new presumptive category (paragraph (15)) that covers a broad list of diseases. For veterans who served at K2, these diseases would be presumed to be connected to their military service, making it easier to obtain VA disability compensation and related benefits without requiring the veteran to prove a direct causal link. The new list includes cancers, thyroid disease, bone disease, cardiovascular disease, skin disease, neurological disease, reproductive disease, respiratory disease, endocrine disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, primary immune regulatory disorders, medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and cataracts. The act was introduced in the 119th Congress on May 15, 2025, by Rep. Green (Tenn.) with Rep. Lynch and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a new presumption of service connection for veterans who served at Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan.
- 2Adds a new paragraph (15) to 38 U.S.C. §1120(b), expanding the diseases that qualify for presumptive service connection in this specific base/location.
- 3The new list covers: any cancer; any thyroid, bone, cardiovascular, skin, neurological, reproductive, respiratory, endocrine, liver, kidney diseases; any blood disorder; primary immune regulatory disorders; medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness; and cataracts.
- 4This is in addition to diseases already covered by other paragraphs of §1120(b), meaning it broadens the scope of presumptive coverage for veterans linked to K2.
- 5The bill was introduced May 15, 2025, in the House (sponsors shown as Rep. Green of Tennessee and Rep. Lynch) and referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.