Radiation exposure

← Presumptive Condition Checker

Who qualifies

One of the activities below. It counts if you were on active duty. It also counts if you were a Reserve member on active duty for training or inactive duty training.

• At a U.S. or foreign nuclear weapons test above ground or underwater, or in the cleanup in the 6 months after oneThis includes the Enewetak garrison in 1951–1952, 1956–1957 and 1958–1959, and decontaminating Operation Crossroads ships at Naval Shipyards.38 U.S.C. 1112(c)(3)(B)(i); 38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(A), (iv), (v)
• In the U.S. occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan (within 10 miles of either city) (August 6, 1945, to July 1, 1946)38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(B), (vi)
• A prisoner of war in Japan in World War II, held or working near Hiroshima or Nagasaki (August 6, 1945, to July 1, 1946)38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(C), (vii)
• At least 250 days before February 1, 1992, at the gaseous diffusion plant in Paducah, KY, Portsmouth, OH, or area K25 at Oak Ridge, TN, with radiation badge monitoring or a similar job (before February 1, 1992)38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(D)(1)
• Amchitka Island, Alaska, before 1974, with radiation exposure from duties for the Long Shot, Milrow or Cannikin underground tests (before January 1, 1974)38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(D)(2)
• Work that would put a Department of Energy employee in the Special Exposure Cohort38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(E); 42 U.S.C. 7384l(14)
• The cleanup of Enewetak Atoll (1977 to 1980)38 U.S.C. 1112(c)(3)(B)(v); 38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(F)
• The response to the B-52 crash near Palomares, Spain (January 17, 1966, to March 31, 1967)38 U.S.C. 1112(c)(3)(B)(vi); 38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(G)
• The response to the B-52 crash near Thule Air Force Base, Greenland (January 21, 1968, to September 25, 1968)38 U.S.C. 1112(c)(3)(B)(vii); 38 CFR 3.309(d)(3)(ii)(H)

Conditions VA presumes (21)

• Leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia)38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(i)
• Cancer of the thyroid38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(ii)
• Cancer of the breast38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(iii)
• Cancer of the pharynx (throat)38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(iv)
• Cancer of the esophagus38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(v)
• Cancer of the stomach38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(vi)
• Cancer of the small intestine38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(vii)
• Cancer of the pancreas38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(viii)
• Multiple myeloma38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(ix)
• Lymphomas (except Hodgkin's disease)38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(x)
• Cancer of the bile ducts38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xi)
• Cancer of the gallbladder38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xii)
• Primary liver cancer (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated)38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xiii)
• Cancer of the salivary gland38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xiv)
• Cancer of the urinary tract: the kidneys, renal pelves, ureters, bladder and urethra38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xv) and Note
• Bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xvi)
• Cancer of the bone38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xvii)
• Cancer of the brain38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xviii)
• Cancer of the colon38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xix)
• Cancer of the lung38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xx)
• Cancer of the ovary38 CFR 3.309(d)(2)(xxi)

Time limit

There is no time limit.

You'd still need to show

• A current diagnosis of the condition from a doctor or other medical provider.
• Records that show your qualifying service, such as your DD214, orders, or unit or ship records.
• A discharge that isn't dishonorable.

Even when a condition is on a list, VA can still decide it was caused by something else if there is evidence of that (the presumption can be rebutted).

Other cancers and illnesses may still be connected to radiation under 38 CFR 3.311. That rule uses an estimate of your radiation dose instead of a presumption.

The PACT Act added the Enewetak, Palomares and Thule cleanups. They are already in the regulation.

The law: 38 U.S.C. 1112(c) · 38 CFR 3.309(d) · 38 CFR 3.311
On VA.gov: Ionizing radiation exposure

Regulation text current as of October 15, 2026. This is general information from a free tool, not legal or medical advice, and not a decision. Only VA decides claims.