Executive Order 13982: Care of Veterans With Service in Uzbekistan
President: Donald J. Trump
Directed VA to consider care eligibility for veterans who served in Uzbekistan and Defense to study exposures at K-2; VA later addressed Uzbekistan exposure in a 2021 rule.
Status: In effect. Sources: Executive Order 13982 signed text · VA particulate-matter interim final rule, August 5, 2021 · Federal Register executive order disposition table.
Is Executive Order 13982 still in effect? Yes. The January 19, 2021 order remains unrevoked in the Federal Register disposition table. VA’s August 5, 2021 rule expressly stated that it would continue collaborating with Defense under Executive Order 13982 on Uzbekistan exposure studies; its 365-day study deadline did not itself revoke the order.
What does Executive Order 13982 do?
The order assigned these duties: President — Signed and issued the order; Department of Veterans Affairs — Addressed particulate exposure for Uzbekistan service in a 2021 interim final rule and described planned work with Defense under EO 13982.
Later primary evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: A VA interim final rule expressly referenced EO 13982 and planned collaboration with Defense on K-2 studies; VA announced a presumption of particulate exposure for qualifying Uzbekistan service. The 2021 rule did not itself establish presumptive service connection for every disease in every K-2 veteran; disease decisions were to consider study results.
Before and after
Before the order
VA eligibility and service-connection decisions were governed by veterans statutes and evidence standards before this directive.
After the order
A VA interim final rule expressly referenced EO 13982 and planned collaboration with Defense on K-2 studies; VA announced a presumption of particulate exposure for qualifying Uzbekistan service.
The 2021 rule did not itself establish presumptive service connection for every disease in every K-2 veteran; disease decisions were to consider study results.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| President | Signed and issued the order | January 19, 2021 |
| Department of Veterans Affairs | Addressed particulate exposure for Uzbekistan service in a 2021 interim final rule and described planned work with Defense under EO 13982. | August 5, 2021 |
What happened next
Executive Order 13982 signed.
A VA interim final rule expressly referenced EO 13982 and planned collaboration with Defense on K-2 studies; VA announced a presumption of particulate exposure for qualifying Uzbekistan service.
Later primary evidence reviewed; the documented action and its limits were added to this guide.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The executive order directs the executive branch under existing law. Federal Register — VA interim final rule documents the subsequent step. The 2021 rule did not itself establish presumptive service connection for every disease in every K-2 veteran; disease decisions were to consider study results.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- www.publichealth.va.gov (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 24, 2026. How we research →