Radiation Exposure: VA Disability Benefits & Presumptive Conditions

Veterans exposed to radiation during military service—including nuclear weapons testing, military nuclear reactor operation, or combat service in irradiated areas—may be eligible for VA disability benefits for radiation-related diseases. The VA recognizes certain cancers and other conditions as presumptively service-connected to radiation exposure.

Who Is Eligible?

You're eligible for radiation exposure benefits if you:

Served during nuclear weapons testing:

• Nevada Test Site (1951-1963)
• Other atmospheric testing locations
• Underground testing aftermath

Operated nuclear reactors:

• Navy nuclear submarines
• Naval support vessels
• Military nuclear plants

Served in radiation-affected areas:

• Hiroshima and Nagasaki occupation (1945-1954)
• Bikini Atoll occupation
• Areas with radioactive contamination from testing

**Were exposed to:

• Nuclear weapons testing
• Military nuclear reactor operations
• Radioactive materials handling
• Contaminated areas during service

Radiation Presumptive Conditions

The VA recognizes these conditions as presumptively service-connected to radiation exposure:

Cancers

• Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
• Lung cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Breast cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Small intestine cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Bile duct cancer
• Gall bladder cancer
• Salivary gland cancer
• Urinary tract cancer
• Bone cancer
• Brain cancer
• Colon cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Multiple myeloma

Non-Cancer Conditions

The VA also recognizes certain non-cancer conditions:

• Cataracts
• Posterior subcapsular cataracts
• Diseases of the parathyroid gland
• Thyroid cancer and dysfunction
• Blood disorders

Atomic Veterans Program

The Atomic Veterans Program specifically recognizes veterans exposed to nuclear weapons testing as having presumptive service connection.

Atomic veteran requirements:

• Served at Nevada Test Site or other nuclear testing location
• Participated in military exercises during or immediately after testing
• Witnessed a nuclear explosion during testing
• Served in areas contaminated from testing fallout
• Served in occupation forces in Japan (1945-1954) after atomic bombings

How to File a Radiation Exposure Claim

Step 1: Verify Your Service

Determine your radiation exposure:

• Check your DD-214 for radiation-related service notations
• Contact the National Archives for complete service records
• Request radiation exposure documentation from military
• Some veterans have radiation badges showing exposure levels

Helpful resources:

• Atomic Testing Museum records
• Navy Nuclear Reactor records
• Department of Defense Radiation Exposure Compensation Records
• VA Radiation Exposure Screening Program

Step 2: Get Medical Diagnosis

You must have a medical diagnosis of a presumptive condition:

• See VA doctor or private provider
• Get formal diagnosis of cancer or presumptive condition
• Request diagnosis in writing from provider
• Obtain all medical records documenting diagnosis
• Keep copies of pathology reports

Step 3: Document Radiation Exposure

Gather evidence of your radiation exposure:

• Military orders showing service location
• Service records documenting atomic testing participation
• Radiation badge records (if available)
• Witness statements from service members present
• Official military records of nuclear testing

Step 4: File Your Claim

Use VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation):

Online (recommended):

• Go to VA.gov
• Complete application form
• Note your radiation exposure location and dates
• Include presumptive condition information
• Fastest processing

By mail:

• Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
• Include DD-214
• Include medical diagnosis documentation
• Include radiation exposure evidence
• Mail to your VA regional office

In person:

• Visit your VA regional office
• Bring all documentation
• Work with VSO representative

Step 5: VA Reviews Your Claim

Timeline:

• Initial review: 2-4 weeks (verify service and exposure)
• Medical review: 2-4 weeks (confirm diagnosis)
• Rating decision: 4-8 weeks total

What VA verifies:

• Your military service and location
• Whether location involved radiation exposure
• Dates of service
• Current diagnosis of presumptive condition
• Disability rating determination

Radiation Exposure Ratings

Presumptive conditions are rated based on severity, particularly for cancers.

Cancer Ratings

During active cancer treatment:

• Typically 100% while receiving chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery
• Continues as long as receiving active treatment
• Monthly payment: $3,737

After cancer treatment:

• 0% if no complications or recurrence
• 10-60% if ongoing side effects or complications
• Higher if cancer metastasizes or recurs
• May remain 100% if cancer returns

Non-Cancer Condition Ratings

Cataracts: 10-20% per eye Thyroid disorders: 10-40% depending on severity Blood disorders: 20-100% depending on condition

Atomic Veteran Specific Information

Nevada Test Site Veterans

If you participated in nuclear weapons testing at Nevada Test Site:

What you received:

• Radiation exposure (varying levels)
• Potential fallout contamination
• Long-term health effects from low-level radiation

Benefits available:

• Presumptive service connection for 22+ cancers
• Non-cancer presumptive conditions
• Regular disability benefits if not presumptive

Registration:

• VA maintains Radiation Exposure Screening Program
• Some atomic veterans already registered
• Can add yourself if not already registered

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Occupation

Veterans who served in Japanese occupation after atomic bombings:

Exposure circumstances:

• Participated in occupation forces
• Managed contaminated areas
• Handled radioactive materials
• Served in radiation-affected regions

Presumptive conditions:

• Same cancers as other radiation-exposed veterans
• Non-cancer presumptive conditions
• Lifetime access to VA healthcare

Secondary Conditions from Radiation Exposure

If you have a primary radiation-related cancer, you can claim secondary conditions:

Common secondary conditions:

• Depression/anxiety (from cancer diagnosis)
• Sleep apnea (related to cancer treatment)
• Heart disease (from radiation therapy)
• Lung disease (from chemotherapy)
• Infertility or reproductive issues
• Cognitive problems (from cancer treatment or radiation)

File secondary conditions via Supplemental Claim with medical evidence linking them to your primary radiation-related condition.

Retroactive Benefits

Radiation-related conditions may qualify for substantial retroactive benefits:

Timeline:

• Benefits typically start at diagnosis date
• Can span decades if diagnosed long after service

Example: Radiation-Related Lung Cancer

Service: 1952-1954 at Nevada Test Site Diagnosis: Lung cancer in 1995 Rating: 100% during treatment (2010-2013), then 40% after remission

Retroactive calculation:

• If filed in 2024, retroactive to 1995 = 29 years
• Using average rating of 60% over 29 years
• 29 years × $11,500/year = $333,500 in retroactive benefits

Atomic Veteran Resources

Official resources:

• VA Radiation Exposure Screening Program: www.publichealth.va.gov
• Atomic Testing Museum: atomictestingmuseum.org
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) records
• Department of Veterans Affairs radiation office

VSO support:

• Veteran service organizations assist with radiation claims
• Many have specialized atomic veteran knowledge
• Can help locate service records and documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to prove radiation caused my cancer?

No. Presumptive conditions don't require proof of causation. Service at radiation exposure location + diagnosis of presumptive condition = service connection.

How far back can I get retroactive benefits?

Back to your diagnosis date. If cancer diagnosed in 1985 but you file in 2024 = 39 years of potential retroactive benefits.

Example: Thyroid cancer diagnosed 1985, filed 2024, 50% rating

• 39 years × $9,600/year = $374,400 in retroactive benefits

Can I claim multiple radiation-related cancers?

Yes. If you have multiple presumptive conditions from radiation exposure, they're combined using VA rating formula. Total rating can be quite high.

My radiation exposure records are missing—can I still file?

Yes. The VA maintains records. You can file based on:

• Your testimony of service location
• DD-214
• Military orders
• Witness statements
• VA's own records

Filing Tips for Radiation Claims

Do this:

• ✓ File as soon as possible (retroactive benefits accumulate)
• ✓ Get medical diagnosis documented clearly
• ✓ Gather any radiation exposure documentation
• ✓ Use VA.gov for fastest processing
• ✓ Work with VSO familiar with atomic veterans
• ✓ Request radiation badge records if possible
• ✓ Keep copies of all submissions

Don't do this:

• ✗ Wait for perfect documentation
• ✗ Assume missing records prevent filing
• ✗ Delay filing thinking there's time
• ✗ Try to prove radiation caused your disease (it's presumptive)
• ✗ Assume you weren't exposed enough

Key Takeaways

✓ Presumptive conditions don't require proof of causation ✓ 22+ cancers are presumptively service-connected ✓ Non-cancer conditions also covered (cataracts, thyroid disorders) ✓ Eligible if you served at radiation exposure locations ✓ Nevada Test Site veterans have broad presumptive coverage ✓ Hiroshima/Nagasaki occupation qualifies for presumptive benefits ✓ Retroactive benefits can span decades ✓ Fast processing: Usually 4-8 weeks from filing to decision ✓ File online at VA.gov for quickest processing ✓ Secondary conditions can increase rating further ✓ Thousands of atomic veterans still haven't filed for benefits