Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) today introduced legislation to eliminate bureaucratic barriers atomic veterans face when they apply for benefits they are entitled to after being exposed to toxic radiation. 

The Congresswoman introduced the Providing Radiation Exposed Servicemembers Undisputed Medical Eligibility (PRESUME) Act to prohibit the VA from requiring evidence of a certain dose of radiation to determine if a veteran is considered radiation-exposed for the purposes of “presumptive benefits.”

“Like anyone on the battlefield, cold warriors at the Nevada Test Site put themselves in harm’s way in service to our country. We cannot leave any of them behind. The bureaucratic barriers to care can be easily fixed through my legislation,” said Rep. Titus. “Our country’s atomic veterans helped win the peace during the Cold War, and they must be able to access the highest standard of care available.”

Currently, to receive care for what the VA has categorized as “presumptive diseases” due to radiation exposure, a veteran must provide proof of on-site participation as well as radiation dose estimates from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Radiation dose estimates have historically been unreliable, leaving many exposed veterans unable to obtain the compensation they have earned.

“Our atomic veterans should be treated the same way as civilians exposed to atomic radiation,” Rep. Titus said. “They have been wrongfully subjected to a double standard and have not received the care they deserve for treatment of cancer and pulmonary diseases. The PRESUME Act would fix this.” 

The PRESUME Act has been endorsed by Disabled American Veterans, The Invisible Enemy, National Association of Atomic Veterans, Military-Veterans Advocacy, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"For far too long, veterans exposed to radiation have faced an uphill battle for VA health care and benefits. The diseases they develop, which often manifest decades after their military service, after radiation exposure. DAV is proud to support the PRESUME Act, which would remove outdated VA regulations and provide equity with other government programs by removing the radiation dose estimate requirements. We thank Rep. Titus for her leadership in reintroducing this critical legislation to ensure those exposed to radiation while in service get the care and benefits, they have rightfully earned," said Jim Marszalek, National Service Director for Disabled American Veterans.

"'Veterans are a uniting issue for America as they are the protectors of our freedom. For many veterans, ionizing radiation is a significant issue and is the focus of our advocacy at The Invisible Enemy. Rep. Titus’ bill to remove the dosage requirement is very important as dosage is often impossible to prove but the impact of that exposure on veteran’s lives is significant. The Invisible Enemy 100% supports Rep. Titus on her effort to help our brothers and sisters in their quest for the benefits so deserved and earned,” said Dave Crete, Chairman of the Las Vegas-based The Invisible Enemy.

“The National Association of Atomic Veterans is pleased to support the Presume Act. The legacy of Nuclear tests is riddled with Veterans not having proper Personal Protective Equipment and/or failure of monitoring radiation levels. Few of the Veterans were issued radiation badges and of those that had them, there were high failure rates due to environmental factors. Further, these badges only measure external gamma rays, X-rays, and high-energy beta radiation. They do not measure alpha, neutron, or low energy beta radiation. Additionally, none of the monitoring methods measure internal radiation doses of any form. Requiring a veteran to prove the level of exposure places an unreasonable burden of proof upon them," said Keith Kiefer, National Commander for the National Association of Atomic Veterans.