Exposure to Radiation

PRESUMPTIVE DISEASES RELATED TO IONIZING RADIATION

For Veterans who participated in a radiation-risk activity during service (including "Atomic Veterans"), VA assumes that certain cancers are related to their exposure. These are called "presumptive diseases."

• Cancers of the bile ducts, bone, brain, breast, colon, esophagus, gall bladder, liver (primary site, but not if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated), lung (including bronchiolo-alveolar cancer), pancreas, pharynx, ovary, salivary gland, small intestine, stomach, thyroid, urinary tract (kidney/renal, pelvis, urinary bladder, and urethra)

• Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia)

• Lymphomas (except Hodgkin’s disease)

• Multiple myelomas (cancer of plasma cells)

These Veterans don't have to prove a connection between these diseases and their service to be eligible for disability compensation.

Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans who participated in a radiation-risk activity and died as the result of one of these diseases may be eligible for Other diseases associated with radiation exposure.

If a Veteran who was exposed to radiation during military service (including "Atomic Veterans") develops one of the diseases listed below and meets other requirements, disability compensation may be provided on a case-by-case basis.