The history of nuclear war is full of secrets and mysteries. The effects of atomic bombs are well known, but the stories of those who lived through them are often forgotten. People who were directly impacted by nuclear weapons are called Atomic Veterans.
So, if you were a veteran during the nuclear test era, you might wonder if you could be considered an Atomic Veteran.
Let’s explore the history of atomic testing, what it means to be an Atomic Veteran, and how you can find out if you qualify for the compensation.
A Brief History of Nuclear Testing
The United States conducted various nuclear tests and experiments during the Cold War, mainly as part of its nuclear weapons development and refinement program.
These nuclear tests were conducted underground, underwater, and in the atmosphere. Some of the most famous nuclear tests are conducted at Bikini Atoll, the Nevada Test Site, and Pacific Proving Grounds.
These tests had a huge impact on people and the environment. Many people who served in the testing were exposed to high-level radiation, which could lead to various health issues, including cancer, leukemia, and other radiation-related illnesses.
Qualifying as an Atomic Veteran
An Atomic Veteran is essentially an individual who served in the US armed forces and participated in the nuclear testing program. It also includes civilian contractors and residents of nearby communities affected by the fallout from these tests.
Here are some criteria that can help determine if you qualify as an Atomic Veteran:
Military service
During an atomic test detonation, you have been present within the official nuclear test site or a nearby area. These sites include Bikini Atoll, Enewetak Atoll, and other nuclear test sites in the Pacific, Nevada, and New Mexico test sites. The tests include Operation Crossroads, Operation Sandstone, and others.
You have been a part of a military unit tasked with the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, or involved in the immediate aftermath of the bombings.
You were held as POW (prisoners of war) in or near Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Civilian Involvement
You served in the production and maintenance of atomic weapons during the testing or have 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.
Proximity to Testing Area
You lived in or near areas where nuclear tests occured and were exposed to radioactive fallout. Examples include downwinders.
Atomic Veteran Compensation
The U.S. Government introduced several compensation programs dedicated to helping the atomic veterans and their families. The Atomic Veterans program intends to compensate members of the military personnel who participated in certain U.S. atmospheric nuclear testing locations during the relevant periods and acquired a covered cancer. Covered cancers include:
- 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
You can also claim Atomic Veterans® cancer compensation if you were 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, including:
- Operation Crossroads (1946)
- Operation Sandstone (1948)
- Operation Buster-Jangle (1951)
- Operation Greenhouse (1951)
- Operation Ranger (1951)
- Operation Ivy (1952)
- Operation Tumbler-Snapper (1952)
- Operation Upshot-Knothole (1953)
- Operation Castle (1954)
- Operation Teapot (1955)
- Operation Wigwam (1955)
- Operation Redwing (1956)
- Operation Plumbob (1957)
- Operation Argus (1958)
- Operation Hardtack 1 (1958)
- Operation Hardtack 2 (1958)
- Operation Dominic 1 (1962)
- Operation Dominic 2 (1962)
- Operation Plowshare (1962)
Downwinder Claims in Arizona, Florida, and Montana
If you believe you or a loved one are a veteran who was exposed to government-created radiation due to nuclear testing and were diagnosed with cancer or related illness within the last 65 years, contact us here at Cancer Benefits Center for Downwinders® to find out if you are eligible for compensation program. If you are an eligible Downwinder, we can help you file your compensation claim successfully.
For more information, call us at 1 (855) 631-7197, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Downwinders® Claims