H.R. 2573 would amend title 38, United States Code, to revise the eligibility criteria for presumption of service-connection of certain diseases and disabilities for veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during military service.
Detailed Summary
Atomic Veterans Relief Act - Includes within the definition of a "radiation-risk activity" for purposes of eligibility for veterans' disability compensation the exposure at any time to ionizing radiation from undetonated weapons or residual contamination resulting from a nuclear detonation.
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in regulations pertaining to the service-connection of veterans' disabilities additional provisions to ensure, in the case of a claim by a radiation-exposed veteran for service-connection of a nonpresumptive disability, that the procedures for establishment of whether the disability is service-connected and which require the mathematical calculation of the level of exposure of the veteran to the ionizing radiation (commonly referred to as dose reconstruction) also require the Secretary to, among other things: (1) determine the facts and circumstances of the exposure while presuming the veteran's recitation of the event as correct, unless clear and convincing evidence establishes otherwise; and (2) obtain a reconstructed dose based on specific facts and circumstances established by the evidence.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 5/21/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
FRANK A. BUSHEY SR.
October 12, 2009, 12:24pm (report abuse)Just about every year we have a bill for atomic veterans. everyone agrees that we have been swept under the bus a long time ago. these vets not only suffer from radiation induced illnesses, but die early and subject their offspring to genetic problems.we are much smaller in numbers now. what don't we do the right thing , and everyone knows what the right thing is. bring it up and pass it. F. A. Bushey lance Cpl. USMC 1953-55 shot Badger in Nevada
Atomic Veteran
October 19, 2009, 12:34pm (report abuse)Maybe if you people were there to witness and atomic bomb explosion from 4000 yards from Groun zero, you might have a different feeling for the Atomic Veteran's. There is and saying "Seeing is believing"
however, "Being there on site is a reality". It is a real shame how you people in Congress treat the Atomic Veterans. Maybe some day God will punish you people for your rotten behavior to our Atomic Veteran's.