TL;DR — Quick Summary
- Who qualifies: Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during nuclear testing, Hiroshima/Nagasaki occupation, certain cleanup operations, or gaseous diffusion plant work
- This is ionizing radiation: NOT radio frequency radiation from communications equipment
- No time limit: Covered cancers can develop at any point before death
- 21 presumptive cancers: Including leukemia, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, multiple myeloma, and various organ cancers
- Fukushima not covered: Operation Tomodachi veterans are NOT currently eligible but can join the registry
Important Clarification
This page covers ionizing radiation exposure. If you were a communications specialist exposed to radio frequency radiation, that is NOT ionizing radiation and these presumptives do not apply. You may still file a claim, but it won't be automatic.
Eligibility Requirements
You qualify for radiation exposure presumptives if you meet any of the following criteria:
Nuclear Testing Participation
- Participated in atmospheric or underwater nuclear device detonation testing
- Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (January 1, 1977 – December 31, 1980)
- Cleanup of B-52 crash near Palomares, Spain (January 17, 1966 – March 31, 1967)
- Response to B-52 fire near Thule Air Force Base, Greenland (January 21, 1968 – September 25, 1968)
Japan Service
- Served in Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan between August 6, 1945 and July 1, 1946
- Former POWs interned within 75 miles of Hiroshima or 150 miles of Nagasaki
Other Qualifying Service
- Service before January 1, 1974 on Amchitka Island, Alaska with exposure related to Long Shot, Milrow, or Cannikin underground nuclear tests
- At least 250 days before February 1, 1992 at a gaseous diffusion plant in:
- Paducah, Kentucky
- Portsmouth, Ohio
- K25 at Oak Ridge, Tennessee
- Service qualifying for Special Exposure Cohort (42 U.S.C. 7384l(14))
Not Currently Covered
- Operation Tomodachi (Fukushima 2011): Congress has not yet recognized these Veterans. Join the Registry to be notified of changes.
- Other MOS-related exposure: Veterans with other radiation exposures are not covered under presumptives, but can still file a claim with nexus evidence.
Presumptive Cancers
Veterans may develop any of these cancers at any point before death — there is no time limit:
21 Presumptive Cancers
* Excludes chronic lymphocytic leukemia
** Excludes Hodgkin's disease
*** Excludes cases where cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated
38 CFR 3.311 — Radiogenic Disease Claims
This regulation ensures Veterans who developed "radiogenic diseases" due to radiation exposure at locations in 38 CFR 3.309 (and other locations/duties) receive a medical opinion as to whether their condition is at least as likely as not related to their service/exposure.
PACT Act Update
This regulation is now largely supplemented by TERA (Toxic Exposure Risk Activity) requirements. The VA is now required to consider toxic exposures for all Veterans due to the PACT Act.