Representatives Chellie Pingree and Bruce Poliquin sent a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald today asking him to reexamine the treatment of thousands of veterans who helped clean up a Pacific island that had been the site of nuclear tests. The Department of Veterans Affairs has refused to classify them as "Atomic Veterans," which would make them eligible for benefits if they develop certain cancers and other diseases linked to nuclear exposure.
"This seems to be a special case that deserves additional attention to determine the extent that this exposure has affected the health of these veterans. These veterans served their country and followed directivesfrom the U.S. military to carry out these missions, and if this has left them with lasting health issues it is imperative that the VA provide them with the benefits they deserve," Pingree and Poliquin wrote in their letter.
In the late 1970s, U.S. military personnel worked to clean up and rehabilitate Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the site of more than 40 nuclear tests. "Atomic Veterans" is a special VA designation for personnel exposed to nuclear tests. Pingree and Poliquin have urged officials to include those veterans who worked on the Enewetak cleanup.
April 8, 2015
The Honorable Robert McDonald
Secretary
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary McDonald,
We write to you today on an issue of concern to a group of United States Army Veterans who served in the late 1970s in the Marshall Islands, in particular the Enewetak Atoll.
These veterans were tasked with rehabilitating the Enewetak Atoll, the scene of over 40 nuclear tests, in order for the island to be turned over to the people of the Marshall Islands. Due to the nuclear tests conducted on this island, the soil and land contained radioactive material, opening these veterans up to possible exposure.
We believe the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should take a closer look at this issue to determine if the veterans’ exposure to radioactive material during this timeframe in the Enewetak Atoll has, in fact, made them more susceptible to certain diseases, including certain cancers that some of these veterans have and continue to suffer from.
This seems to be a special case that deserves additional attention to determine the extent that this exposure has affected the health of theseveterans. These veterans served their country and followed directives from the U.S. military to carry out these missions, and if this has left them with lasting health issues it is imperative that the VA provide them with the benefits they deserve.
While we understand that the VA must obtain sufficient data toindicate an instance of concern over radiological safety, we believe it is crucial to look at additional factors that may have contributed to these veterans’ exposure to radioactive material, including the uses of dosimeters and their effectiveness for this particular cleanup mission. There is certainly the possibility that these dosimeters and other protective equipment were not sufficient in shielding these veterans from exposure to contaminating materials.
We request that your agency look into how many veterans with service in the Enewetak Atoll have applied for benefits related to health issues consistent with those associated with Atomic Veterans. In addition, would the VA consider revising their decision regarding a link between exposures during the cleanup and subsequent health effects for these veterans if the sum of evidence supports this change?
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Chellie Pingree Bruce Poliquin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
