User:Joicudi/Atomic veteran

Affected veterans
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Nuclear Test Personnel Review has maintained a database of participants and radiation dose reconstructions since 1978. Dose reconstructions are used by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate and decide veterans' claims filed under the provisions of Public Law (PL) 98-542 and implementing regulations in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 3.311.

John Smitherman (1928-1983), was a navy sailor involved in the 1946 Bikini Atoll nuclear explosions, which resulted in extensive radioactive contamination of the area. Cancer of the lymphatic system, and two leg amputations, resulted for Smitherman, who became president of the National Association of Atomic Veterans. Smitherman featured in Robert Stone's documentary film Radio Bikini, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1988.

'''First-hand accounts of above-ground nuclear tests were unveiled by multiple veterans in the short film directed by Morgan Knibbe. The veterans recall the traumatic experience of watching a nuclear explosion occur miles from their position. From their recounting of the story, the soldiers had no idea what they were being tested for until the bomb had proceeded to explode. The particular group that was interviewed in the video were sent out in standard military gear which consisted of a utility jacket, helmet, and gas mask. These men were sworn to secrecy or suffer a $10,000 fine or 10 years in prison and suffer from a multitude of health problems that stem from ionizing radiation.'''

Compensation
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has a different compensation program established by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) which was passed by the United States Congress on October 5, 1990, and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on October 15. Atomic veterans who participated in atmospheric nuclear tests may be eligible. Through RECA, atomic veterans are labelled "Onsite Participants" and can qualify for up to $75,000 dollars in compensation.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was amended in 2013 and enlarged the geographic exposure area and the amount of compensation payable to Atomic Veterans and people living downwind of the tests. Other compensation may also be available from the United States Department of Labor under section SEC of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.

Epidemiological studies of atomic veterans have shown exposure to radiation to be associated with a number of disorders including leukemia, various cancers and cataracts. It has been determined that studies on the children of atomic veterans, however, face "insurmountable" difficulties.