Between 1946 and 1962, the US conducted several nuclear tests. Several thousand military personnel were exposed to the harmful radiation that could have come from atmospheric nuclear testing, the cleanup of nuclear accidents, or other activities related to nuclear weapons. These personnel are called Atomic Veterans.
Atomic veterans are at an increased risk of developing several serious health conditions, including cancer. In an effort to compensate these veterans for their sacrifices and difficulties, the United States government has created several compensation programs specifically for atomic veterans.
Let’s learn more about the Atomic Veterans® Cancer Benefit Program, who is eligible for these compensations, and what you should expect from them.
Atomic Veterans® Cancer Benefit Program
Atomic Veterans® is a compensation program for veterans who were exposed to atmospheric nuclear testing at Marshall Islands, South Pacific, from 1946 to 1958.
This program is designed to give $75,000 to each claimant (including eligible survivors, such as spouses, children, and grandchildren) who was among the military personnel who were physically present at the US nuclear testing sites during the specified period and got a covered cancer.
Who Are Eligible for Atomic Veteran Compensation Programs?
Atomic Veterans are considered eligible for Atomic Veteran Compensation programs. You are eligible for the compensation if you have:
- Been present at an atomic test site or an area adjacent to an atomic test site during the test detonation. Examples of test sites and tests include Bikini Atoll, Enewetak, Operation Crossroads, and others.
- Been a member of a military unit involved in the occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan
- Been involved in the production or maintenance of atomic weapons.
- Have worked as a POW (prisoner of war) in Japan during the World War II
- Been a construction and trade worker who played an essential role in or was affected during the building and maintenance of the atomic testing program.
- Been present within 6 months of certain nuclear test operations on Christmas Island and Johnston Island in the Pacific, at the Nevada Test Site just north of Las Vegas, or in the South Atlantic.
You can also claim a compensation if you have worked at the site of nuclear testing and received a diagnosis of one of the following:
- Bile Duct Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Brain Cancer
- Breast Cancer (male or female)
- Colon Cancer
- Esophagus Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Leukemias (except for chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
- Liver Cancer (unless there is evidence of cirrhosis or hepatitis B)
- Lung Cancer
- Lymphomas (except for Hodgkin’s disease)
- Multiple Myeloma
- Nasal Pharynx Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreas Cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Salivary Gland Cancer
- Small Intestine Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
What Can You Expect?
To be eligible for the atomic veteran compensation program, veterans must meet the requirements mentioned in the above section. To apply for compensation, they must fill out an application form and provide documentation of their military service, their radiation exposure, and their health condition. It’s important to have all your paperwork in order and be prepared for a potentially lengthy application process.
Once an application is submitted, the agency will review the application for veterans’ eligibility. If the veteran is eligible, they can expect financial compensation.
Get Help with Your Claims
There are a few potential challenges associated with atomic veteran compensation programs, such as difficulty obtaining service records. If you run into these or other challenges, it may be helpful to seek assistance from the National Cancer Benefits Center.
We have years of experience in helping people collect compensation for cancer caused by government-created radiation. The vast majority (90 percent) of our claims are successful. We can help you with prequalification, document preparation (proving identification, medical condition, and presence in the area of Bikini Atoll or Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands during the relevant period), research and investigation, and claim submittal.
For more information about the claim process, call us today at (800) 414-4328 or use our request for more information form.
