Radiation Exposure VA Claims for Atomic Veterans: 2026 Guide

From 1945 through the early 1960s, the United States conducted over 200 atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, and hundreds of thousands of service members participated. These "atomic veterans" were sent into contaminated areas with minimal protection and told the exposure was safe. Decades later, many developed cancers and other diseases. The VA now recognizes 21 types of cancer as presumptively caused by radiation exposure during qualifying military service.

Who Qualifies: Radiation Risk Activities

The VA covers several categories of military service involving radiation exposure.

Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Testing

Veterans who participated in any nuclear test operations qualify. This includes tests at:

• Nevada Test Site: Operations Ranger, Buster-Jangle, Tumbler-Snapper, Upshot-Knothole, Teapot, Plumbbob, and many more
• Pacific Proving Grounds: Operations Crossroads (Bikini Atoll), Sandstone, Greenhouse, Ivy, Castle, Redwing, Hardtack I, Dominic I and II
• Trinity Site, New Mexico: The first atomic bomb test (July 16, 1945)
• South Atlantic: Operation Argus (1958)
• Christmas Island and Johnston Island: Various British and American tests

Any participation counts: observing tests, entering contaminated areas, cleanup operations, or support activities within the fallout area.

Occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Veterans who served with U.S. occupation forces in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki between August 1945 and July 1946. This includes ground forces, ship personnel, survey and cleanup crews, and medical personnel treating survivors.

Prisoners of War in Japan

American POWs held near Hiroshima or Nagasaki at the time of or shortly after the atomic bombings.

Gaseous Diffusion Plants

Veterans who served at least 250 days (not necessarily consecutive) at uranium enrichment facilities:

• Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Kentucky
• Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Ohio
• K-25 Plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Enewetak Atoll Cleanup (1977-1980)

Veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, which was heavily contaminated from 43 nuclear tests conducted between 1948 and 1958.

Other Qualifying Activities

• Nuclear submarine incidents: Reactor accidents or coolant system failures
• Nuclear weapon accidents: Palomares, Spain (1966) and Thule, Greenland (1968) broken arrow incidents
• Nuclear fuel handling: Loading nuclear weapons onto ships or aircraft
• Underground nuclear tests: Those involving venting, tunnel inspection, or post-test sampling

The 21 Presumptive Cancers

If you participated in a radiation risk activity and have any of these cancers, service connection is presumed.

Solid Tumors

• Bone cancer
• Brain cancer (all types)
• Breast cancer
• Colon cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gall bladder cancer
• Liver cancer (primary, excluding cirrhosis-related)
• Lung cancer (including bronchus and trachea)
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer (throat)
• Salivary gland cancer
• Small intestine cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Urinary tract cancers (kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, bladder)

Blood Cancers

• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemias: All types EXCEPT chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Includes AML, ALL, CML, and hairy cell leukemia.
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: All types including diffuse large B-cell, follicular, and marginal zone lymphoma

Dose Reconstruction: For Non-Presumptive Cancers

If your cancer is not on the presumptive list, you may still qualify through dose reconstruction. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) estimates your radiation dose using service records, test data, dosimeter readings, and scientific models. If the "probability of causation" reaches 50% or higher, your claim is approved.

How Dose Reconstruction Works

1. The VA sends your claim to DTRA
2. DTRA researches your unit, duties, and locations
3. They estimate your total radiation dose
4. A probability of causation calculation determines likelihood
5. Results are returned to the VA for decision

Expect Delays

Dose reconstruction adds 6-18 months to processing time. Be patient but check status periodically.

Non-Cancer Conditions

Radiation exposure can also cause thyroid disease, cataracts, and other chronic conditions. These are not presumptive but can be service-connected through direct evidence with medical nexus opinions citing radiation exposure.

How to File a Radiation Exposure Claim

Step 1: Identify Your Radiation Risk Activity

Review your service records. Key evidence includes:

• DD-214 showing duty stations and dates
• Unit orders and assignments
• Awards (Nuclear Test Personnel Review, Occupation Medal for Japan)
• Ship logs or unit histories
• Radiation monitoring records or film badge reports

Step 2: Get a Cancer Diagnosis

Gather clear medical documentation:

• Pathology reports confirming cancer type
• Biopsy results and imaging
• Oncology treatment records

Step 3: Register with the Ionizing Radiation Registry (Optional)

The VA offers free health exams for atomic veterans through the Ionizing Radiation Registry. While not required for claims, it documents your exposure history and can identify conditions for potential claims.

Step 4: File Your Claim

File at VA.gov using Form 21-526EZ:

• List your cancer diagnosis
• State you are claiming radiation exposure presumptive service connection
• Describe your radiation risk activity (which tests, locations, dates)
• Upload service records and medical documentation

For presumptive cancers, you do NOT need a nexus opinion.

Step 5: Provide a Detailed Personal Statement

Describe your radiation risk activities in detail: specific tests, how close you were to detonations, duties in contaminated areas, protective equipment provided (or not), film badges, and any symptoms during or after exposure. This helps the VA verify your participation and speeds processing.

Step 6: Attend the C&P Exam

The VA will schedule an exam to confirm your diagnosis and assess current severity. The examiner should not question service connection for presumptive cancers. Be thorough about current symptoms and functional limitations.

Cancer Ratings

During Active Treatment

Nearly all cancers receive a 100% disability rating during active treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy) and for six months after treatment completion.

After Treatment

Six months post-treatment, the VA schedules a reexamination. Ratings then depend on:

• Remaining organ dysfunction
• Treatment side effects (neuropathy from chemo, lung damage from radiation therapy)
• Cancer recurrence
• Chronic complications

Secondary Conditions from Cancer

Each secondary condition is separately ratable:

• Peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy
• Chronic pain from surgery or tumor effects
• Organ dysfunction from removal or damage
• Depression and anxiety from cancer diagnosis and treatment
• Erectile dysfunction from various treatments
• Chronic fatigue from post-cancer fatigue syndrome

Multiple Cancers

If you develop more than one radiation-related cancer, each is separately service-connected and rated. Combined ratings often reach 100%.

Benefits for Survivors

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

If a veteran dies from a service-connected cancer, surviving spouses and dependent children may receive DIC, currently exceeding $1,500/month in tax-free benefits.

Retroactive Claims

If a veteran died before filing a claim but had a qualifying cancer, survivors can file an accrued benefits claim to receive the retroactive compensation the veteran would have received. This can represent substantial back pay.

File Even If the Veteran Never Did

Congress has recognized the sacrifices of atomic veterans and their families. Survivors should not hesitate to file claims. The evidence standards support approval for qualifying cancers and radiation risk activities.

Next Steps

If you participated in nuclear testing, occupied Hiroshima or Nagasaki, worked at gaseous diffusion plants, or were involved in any radiation risk activity, do not wait. Use the Veterans Benefits Finder to see all benefits available to you.