Exercise Desert Rock I, Nevada, 1951 (Photo: U.S. Government, Public Domain)
Eighty years after the first atomic bomb test in New Mexico, Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) has introduced legislation to improve access to medical benefits for Veterans exposed to radiation during nuclear testing or cleanup efforts.
The Providing Radiation Exposed Servicemembers Undisputed Medical Eligibility, PRESUME, Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to automatically provide benefits to atomic Veterans. Affected Service Members supported nuclear weapons programs or took part in cleanup missions, but often face long delays or denials due to the VA’s current evidence requirements. Currently, the VA asks Veterans to prove they were physically present at test sites and provide radiation dose estimates, which are typically sourced from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Titus said those records have been unreliable for decades and called the process unfair compared to the recently expanded civilian Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which covers people affected by nuclear testing.
Atomic Veterans, Titus said, should not be held to a stricter standard than civilians who were accidentally exposed to radiation. She argued that many of these Veterans suffer from cancer and lung conditions linked to toxic exposure, but they cannot get the care they need because they are unable to prove eligibility.
Several groups are backing the bill, including the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Its national commander, Keith Kiefer, told Stars & Stripes that Veterans were often given no protective equipment and frequently lacked radiation badges. Even those who were issued badges sometimes received faulty readings due to environmental damage or equipment failure.
Kiefer served in the Air Force and took part in a 1978 nuclear cleanup mission at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific. He said he believes he was exposed to radioactive waste while repairing underground communications cables. After returning home, he and his wife were unable to start a family. He later developed thyroid problems, degenerative bone disease, and a blood-clotting disorder that caused lung embolisms.
In a recent opinion piece, Kiefer wrote that Veterans involved in nuclear cleanup have been left out of both RECA and many VA benefits. He said it often takes 10 to 14 years for claims to move through the system and warned that many Veterans do not have that kind of time left.
Between 1945 and 1992, the United States conducted more than 1,000 nuclear detonations. Veterans involved in these efforts continue to push for equal treatment. The PRESUME Act was introduced on National Atomic Veterans Day, which was established in 1983 to honor the service and sacrifice of those involved in the military’s nuclear program.
Titus said her bill would cut through the red tape and ensure that atomic Veterans receive the benefits they deserve.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.