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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has taken a critical step toward justice and care for veterans impacted by toxic exposures. Effective January 2025, the VA will ease the burden of proof for veterans suffering from certain cancers linked to their military service in hazardous environments, including post-9/11 deployments and the notorious Karshi-Khanabad (K2) base in Uzbekistan.
What’s Changing and Why It Matters
Historically, many veterans diagnosed with cancers such as glioblastoma, kidney, pancreatic, and reproductive cancers faced uphill battles trying to prove their conditions were connected to service. These claims often failed due to the difficulty of establishing a direct service connection — especially when the exposures were undocumented, classified, or poorly understood.
Under the new VA policy, several of these cancers will now be treated as presumptively service-connected for veterans who served in specific locations and timeframes, including:
- K2 Base (Uzbekistan) from 2001–2005
- Post-9/11 combat zones such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of Southwest Asia and Africa
This means veterans no longer need to provide specific evidence linking their diagnosis to toxic exposure — the VA will now assume a connection, vastly simplifying and expediting the claims process.
How This Helps Veterans and Their Families
This change will benefit thousands of veterans who have long struggled to receive the benefits they deserve. For many, this policy shift could mean:
- Faster approvals for VA disability compensation
- Access to VA health care and survivor benefits
- Financial support for families of veterans who have passed from service-related cancers
In practical terms, this could result in life-changing outcomes for veterans fighting cancer or their surviving family members seeking justice after years of medical and financial hardship.
Why Legal Representation Still Matters
While this new policy removes significant barriers, navigating the VA system remains complex. Even with presumptive conditions, claims can still be denied due to application errors, incomplete service records, or misinterpretations by VA adjudicators.
West & Dunn has extensive experience representing veterans nationwide in securing the benefits they are entitled to. We understand the intricacies of VA law and how to build compelling, thorough cases — especially when your health and future are on the line.
Let Us Help You Get What You Deserve. If you or a loved one served in post-9/11 combat zones or at K2 and have been diagnosed with cancer, now is the time to act. Call us at 608-535-6420 or through our Contact Us page.
