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VeTALKX: Karshi-Khanabad (K-2) Military Exposures Q&A and 2nd Community Forum
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Visit our VHA website for additional information on K2 resources:
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/karshi-khanabad.asp
https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/karshi-khanabad.asp
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Benefits
Health
Deployment
VHA
Responses: 59
I was deployed to K2 from DEC2001 to JUN2002 as the Liaison Officer. I had a unique experience in that my duties (CI officer, assistant security officer, civilian personnel officer, liaison to host nation) took me to all parts of K2. Question is, is there a POC to talk to about some of the observations I personally witnessed regarding exposure while deployed to K2?
1st Lt Daryl Riddle
Email me @ [login to see] so we can talk.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
DoD is the authoritative source on contaminants identified at military installations, bases, and sites. Any data or information about contaminants at the K2 site should be shared and discussed with DoD. DoD representatives are currently working to establish a mechanism for the K2 community to share experiences, observations, and/or evidence about contaminants at K2. When that process is formalized we will post information on VA's K2 website.
During my C&P exam, I was informed of the existence of our "Individual Longitudinal Exposure Reports" (ILERs). I was denied direct access to the ILER but she read an excerpt saying that I had been exposed at K2, and was mistakenly told that we were exposed to mustard gas residue, with no other exposures. I have had memory and confusion issues for years and have finally been seen by a neurologist who said I was fine because I didn't have dimensia. He also said he couldn't do anything else because he had to wait for the VA to tell him something else about us (Likely side effects t of exposures). Why hasn't this information been updated I our re words so we can get basic treatment?
1st Lt Daryl Riddle
Think about being evaluated at the WRIISC. Email me @ [login to see] and we can talk.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Based on three different site surveys conducted at K2 (https://ph.health.mil/topics/envirohealth/hrasm/Pages/K2-Airbase-Exposures.aspx) no evidence of mustard gas has been documented. A number of contaminants have been documented at K2 and efforts are underway to better inform VA healthcare providers and claim representatives about K2.
I’ve had difficulty scheduling a K2 depleted uranium test in Maryland. Is there a goid website to schedule such a test? -Thank you!
1st Lt Daryl Riddle
Terri, unless you have embedded shrapnel, most of those tests come back negative. Not sure why we are wasting money on them.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
More information on VA's depleted uranium program can be found here: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/depleted_uranium/followup_program.asp.
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Has medical data been attempted to be retrieved from the local Uzbek community/government?
1st Lt Daryl Riddle
They claim all is well but anecdotally, one of our female vets was told by a local le worker that they hoped she never planned on having kids.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
No. To the best of our knowledge, Service members were not cared for by Uzbekistan providers. Thus, they would be unlikely to add any insights on the health of K2 Veterans.
How many people on here were on the K2 Community Forum event last year? After that event I honestly don't know what to expect during today's event. Good luck to all!
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Unfortunately we have no way to determine how many attended both K2 Community Forums. We announced each event well in advance through postal mail, direct email, posting on VA's K2 website, social media posts such as RallyPoint, and other communications with the general Veteran community.
I was at K-2, back in 2004. Worked at the ASP former Soviet aircraft hangers. The VA told me when I got back, nothing is covered. What has changed since then?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Uzbekistan (K2) was included in the presumptions designated under the PACT Act. There are over 300 conditions and cancers included in these presumptions. K2 veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA healthcare so they may be properly evaluated for all health concerns that they may have and to submit a claim for any condition they believe is related to their military service at K2 or elsewhere.
What was in the mud when it rained, it was slick and oily. I was there from 2002 to 2003. And what made " Skittle" pond change colors?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The leaking fuel tanks contained petroleum products, the colors of the water can change due to reflection from different light or different angles. Defense Center for Public Health-Aberdeen's website provides several documents related to the conditions at K2. Additionally, all of the declassified K2 reports can be found at the bottom of this page under the section titled "Where can I find more information" [https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/envirohealth/hrasm/Pages/K2-Airbase-Exposures.aspx]. The VA's K2 website provides information on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's re-evaluation of the samples collected during the K2 occupation using using currentscreening thresholds for health [https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/karshi-khanabad.asp]. Thank you for your service. If you are not already enrolled for VA health care, we encourage you to do so. VA also encourages Veterans who believe their military service has negatively impacted their health to submit a claim to VBA.
Served at k2 3 different times between 2001 and 2003. I am currently rated at 100% through the VA. After my deployments to k2 I developed small bumps on my hands and feet. I have seen a dermatologist but they wrote it off as generic skin condition. I am concerned that they showed up only after my k2 deployments. I have also started the process for evaluating tremors that I have developed and that are getting worse. While at k2 when I was 30 I came down with shingles which at that age is very unusual. My question is what do I do to connect these issues I am having to my time at k2 and what tests should I be asking for to help diagnose any issues? I was with AFSOC when deployed to k2 and know about one of our pilots that passed due to cancer that became fatal very quickly.
SGT Kristen Oneill
I have 3 types of chronic skin conditions (rashes included) that i have developed after K2. 1 is psoriasis, another is an undiagnosed blistering condition that festers into large infected wounds (and has caused alopecia due to scarring on my scalp) and a third, extremely itchy, raised red bump rash that is also undiagnosed and my doc calls chronic urticaria. I claimed the latter one years ago and said i thought it was due to my toxic exposures. It was denied as service connected and it wasn't added as a supplemental to my new claim, despite my requesting it to be. I'm going to refile it on my next round of claims after my current claims are completed.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Your Primary Care Provider (PCP) is able to evaluate and diagnose your health conditions. All Veterans should work with their PCPs to ensure they receive usual cancer and health screening such as colorectal cancer. You have seen a dermatologist and he said it was a genetic condition. At this time we know of no chronic dermatology conditions from K2. After a consultation with your PCP, you may choose to request another dermatological evaluation.
SGT Kristen Oneill
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs I was NOT diagnosed with a genetic condition. 2 of my rashes are of unknown orgin (hence the generic label-chronic Uticaria). The third, my psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that can have both genetic and toxic chemical exposure orgin as all autoimmune diseases do. Please stop spreading misinformation and propaganda VA. DO BETTER.
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