Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Atomic veterans and others who took part in a radiation risk activity have a list of presumptive cancers, plus a separate dose reconstruction path for cancers that are not on the list.
VA recognizes that some veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation through specific activities and at specific sites. If you took part in one of these radiation risk activities and later developed a covered cancer, VA presumes the service connection under 38 CFR 3.309(d). You show the activity and a current diagnosis, and VA presumes the link.
The PACT Act added three response efforts to the list of radiation risk activities: the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, the 1966 response at Palomares, Spain, and the 1968 response near Thule Air Base, Greenland. For a cancer that is not on the presumptive list, you can still claim it through dose reconstruction under 38 CFR 3.311.
Who and where is covered
- On site participants at United States atmospheric nuclear tests, the occupation forces at Hiroshima or Nagasaki, and former prisoners of war held in Japan in 1945.
- Service at Amchitka Island before 1974, the gaseous diffusion plants at Paducah, Portsmouth, or Oak Ridge K-25, and the Enewetak, Palomares, and Thule response efforts added by the PACT Act.
- Cancers outside the presumptive list can still be claimed with a radiation dose estimate under 38 CFR 3.311.
Radiation risk activities and locations
VA presumes ionizing radiation exposure for these activities and sites. The last three were added by the PACT Act. Open a row for the details and dates.
United States atmospheric nuclear tests1945 to 1962
On site participation in an atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device, including the Pacific Proving Grounds and the Nevada Test Site, during the official operational period of a test series.
Hiroshima or Nagasaki occupationAug 6, 1945 to Jul 1, 1946
Service with the United States occupation forces in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, during this window.
Prisoner of war held in Japan1945
A former prisoner of war who, by reason of proximity to Hiroshima or Nagasaki, had an opportunity for exposure comparable to the occupation forces.
Amchitka Island, AlaskaBefore Jan 1, 1974
Service before January 1, 1974, on Amchitka Island, Alaska, if exposed to ionizing radiation from underground nuclear weapons testing.
Gaseous diffusion plants (Paducah, Portsmouth, Oak Ridge K-25)250 days before Feb 1, 1992
Service for at least 250 days before February 1, 1992, at a gaseous diffusion plant in Paducah, Kentucky; Portsmouth, Ohio; or the K-25 area at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Enewetak Atoll cleanupJan 1, 1977 to Dec 31, 1980
Participation in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll, added to the list of radiation risk activities by the PACT Act.
Palomares, SpainJan 17, 1966 to Mar 31, 1967
Participation in the response to the 1966 B-52 nuclear weapons incident at Palomares, Spain, added by the PACT Act.
Thule Air Base, GreenlandJan 21, 1968 to Sep 25, 1968
Participation in the response to the 1968 B-52 fire near Thule Air Base, Greenland, added by the PACT Act.
Presumptive conditions on this site
Each opens its 38 CFR rating criteria. A listing here is not a promise of service connection; you still need a current diagnosis and qualifying service.
Start the claim
Because these conditions are presumptive, you file like any disability claim and identify the exposure. VA also offers a free Toxic Exposure Screening to enrolled veterans.
- VA Form 21-526EZ (disability compensation). Claim a radiation presumptive cancer, or a dose reconstruction claim under 38 CFR 3.311.
Related reading
VA recognizes that certain illnesses are presumed service connected for veterans with qualifying service in specific times, places, or duty assignments. This guide walks every active presumptive category, what it covers, and the rule cites.
The military wrote down what was in the air, water, and soil at bases around the world, across decades of operations, monitoring that runs from the 1990s to today. POEMS, ILER, and a 2010 VA guidance document called Training Letter 10-03 can supply real exposure evidence, especially for conditions that are not presumptive. Here is what each one is, how to use it, and where to find it.