21 cancers linked to radiation exposure: here is the latest information on seeking compensation for atomic vets with radiogenic cancers

Help is available for America's atomic vets. Nearly 200,000 GIs occupied Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan after World War II. Another 200,000 participated in about 235 nuclear-weapons tests between 1945 and 1962 in New Mexico, Nevada and the Pacific. For those veterans who suffer from one of 21 cancers (see below) presumed to have been caused by the resulting radiation exposure, VA offers health care and compensation.

Congress mandated it in 1990 when it passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), which offered payments to those who contracted certain cancers and diseases. In 2000, Public Law 106-245 expanded coverage to more veterans and added compensable diseases to the list.

In May 2003, the National Academies' National Research Council released results of a random study of 99 atomic vets. In its report, the Council noted that "with so many cancers falling in the presumptive category, many veterans automatically qualify for compensation." At the time, VA had granted compensation to only about 50 claimants for non-presumptive diseases not listed below.

As of October 2004, some 18,275 atomic vets had applied for VA disability compensation. Only about 11.4%, or 1,875, of the claims were granted, according to VA.

VA provides atomic veterans special priority enrollment for health-care services. These vets also are eligible to participate in the VA ionizing radiation registry examination program. As of Sept. 14, 2004, 22,791 vets had received exams. For more information on VA's services for atomic vets, access www.vethealth.cio.med.va.gov/atomicvets.htm.

"For veterans who think they have a cancer that is related to their exposure to radiation, they should apply at a VA regional office," says Tom Pamperin, assistant director for policy at VA's Compensation and Pension Service in Washington, D.C. "Once service connection is determined--initially at 100%--they are eligible for compensation and health care."

He added that if a veteran doesn't know the name of the nuclear test he was involved in, VA can determine it if the veteran knows when and where he participated. Veterans can apply online at www.va.gov., or reach a regional VA office by calling 1-800-827-1000. The Department of Defense maintains a toll-free helpline at 1-800-462-3638 for information about test participation.

Atomic veterans who suffer from cancers not on the presumptive list (the two most common, according to Pamperin, are skin and prostate) also can file claims for service-connection. If a veteran is deceased, his family also may file for survivor benefits.

Pamperin said that the Department of Justice also administers a compensation program for atomic veterans under RECA, but emphasizes that accepting payment from Justice precludes vets from being eligible for VA compensation.

"Under current law," Pamperin explains, "if you receive any RECA pay-merits your VA benefit is terminated."

For veterans interested in more information on the Justice Department program, contact:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Radiation Exposure Compensation Program P.O. Box 146, Ben Franklin Station Washington, D.C. 2044-0146 Tel: 1-800-729-7327

Veterans who participated in nuclear tests can obtain copies of their Film Badge Radiation Exposure History from the U.S. Department of Energy:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Attn: Dosimetry, Research Project, M/S 401 Bechtel Nevada P.O. Box 98521 Las Vegas, NV 89195-0100 Tel: (702) 295-3521 Fax: 702-295-0154 E-Mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.nv.doe.gov/

For more information concerning VA'S services and benefits for atomic veterans, call VFW'S Tactical Assessment Center at 1-800-VFW-1899.

Over-Exposed

VA recognizes presumptive service connection for atomic veterans who suffer from the following cancers:

Cancer of the: Bileducts Bone Brain Colon Esophagus Gall bladder Liver (primary) Lung Ovary Pancreas Pharynx Salivary gland Small intestine Stomach Thyroid Urinary tract (kidneys, renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder and urethra) Bronchio-alveolar carcinoma (a rare lung cancer) Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia) Lymphomas (except Hodgkin's disease) Multiple myeloma

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