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A Colorado Springs veteran helps win the long fight for expanded medical benefits

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22min 46sec
Courtesy Elba Barr
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Elba Barr of Colorado Springs is featured in the PBS series “After Action,” a look at life for service members when they leave the military.

A huge victory this month for veterans fighting for expanded medical benefits after being exposed to toxic chemicals while serving at an Army base known as K2 in Uzbekistan. Troops say they experienced serious health conditions as a result. And after a decades-long fight, the VA has finally removed barriers to them receiving treatment. Elba Barr is one of those veterans. She lives in Colorado Springs. Since leaving the military, she's been diagnosed with cancer eight times. Barr's fight for benefits was not just for herself but also for her fellow service members.