Hundreds of thousands of veterans were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation during their time in the military service. The health consequences for some Texas veterans has been so profound that VA has established several presumptive diseases—diseases assumed to result from certain exposure risks that do not require a service-connection—related to exposure to ionizing radiation.
However, there are hundreds of thousands of veterans—and their survivors—who may not know they are eligible for VA disability compensation. Unofficially known as the “atomic veterans,” these service people worked under conditions where the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation was especially high.
Are you an atomic veteran?
Veterans in this category will have:
- Served in the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from August 6, 1945 to July 1, 1946.
- Taken part in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests performed in the southwestern United States, the Pacific Ocean, and other locations between 1945 and 1962.
- Been a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II.
- Taken part in underground nuclear weapons testing at Amchitka Island, Alaska, prior to 1974.
- Served for 250 or more days at one of the following gaseous diffusion plants prior to February 1, 1992: Paducah, KY; Portsmouth, OH; and Oak Ridge, TN
If you need to know more about the potential health risks involved with radiation-risk activity, talk with your doctor. If you need assistance in filing for or appealing VA disability benefits for any disability or illness related to radiation exposure, call for a free consultation with a Texas veterans’ attorney. Call 800-800-6353or fill out the online form. Don’t wait another day.
by Paul B. Burkhalter Managing Partner of Morgan Weisbrod , Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.