Section B - Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d) - Updated 9/15/11

Subpart II - Compensation
Chapter 1 - Development

Overview


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In this Section
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4.   General Information on Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d)
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Introduction
This topic contains general information on claims for service connection for radiogenic diseases under 38 CFR 3.309(d), including
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 ·      presumption of service connection based on participation in certain radiation-risk activities

 ·      history of presumptive service connection based on participation in radiation-risk activities, and

 ·      who is eligible for benefits. 
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Change Date
September 5, 2008 {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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a.   Presumption of Service Connection Based on Participation in Certain Radiation-Risk Activities
A Veteran may be eligible for presumptive service connection under 38 CFR 3.309(d) (38 U.S.C. 1112) only if he/she participated in one of the following radiation-risk activities:
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      internment as a prisoner of war (POW) in Japan

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      post-war occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      participation in atmospheric nuclear weapons testing

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      participation in underground nuclear weapons testing at Amchitka Island, Alaska, or

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      assignment to a gaseous diffusion plant at

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Paducah, Kentucky

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Portsmouth, Ohio, or

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     area K25 at Oakridge, Tennessee. {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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b.   History of Presumptive Service Connection Based on Participation in Radiation-Risk Activities
<p class="MsoBlockText">Currently, there are 21 radiogenic diseases subject to presumptive service connection in both live and death cases under 38 CFR 3.309(d).
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Public Law (PL) 100-321, enacted May 1, 1988, initially established a presumption of service connection for 13 disabilities. Eight additional disabilities were added following this original legislation.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Prior to August 14, 1991, the presumption of service connection applied only to Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation while on active duty.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">PL 102-86, enacted August 14, 1991, extended the presumption of service connection to include persons exposed while on active duty for training or inactive duty for training. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 4. General Information on Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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c.   Who Is Eligible for Benefits
<p class="MsoBlockText">Presumptive service connection for the diseases listed in 38 CFR 3.309(d)(2) is available to Veterans involved in the radiation-risk activities specified in M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.4.a. Veterans are eligible based on participation in a radiation-risk activity while serving on
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      active duty

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      active duty for training, or

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      inactive duty training. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt"> '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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5.   Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d)
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Introduction
<p class="MsoBlockText">This topic contains information on developing claims for service connection for radiogenic diseases under 38 CFR 3.309(d), including
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      centralized processing of claims based on radiation exposure

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      criteria to consider before beginning development

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      action to take if the criteria for development are not met

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      action to take when no disability is claimed

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      source for information on radiation-risk activities,

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      information that must be included in the development letter to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      additional information to include in the development letter to DTRA. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">
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Change Date
<p class="MsoBlockText">September 15, 2011 {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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a.   Centralized Processing of Claims Based on Radiation Exposure
<p class="MsoBlockText">In October 2006, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) centralized the processing of all claims for service connection based on radiation exposure at the Jackson Regional Office (RO).
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">The Jackson RO is responsible for developing and resolving

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      all claims for service connection for presumptive disabilities resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation under 38 CFR 3.309(d), and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      all non radiation-related claims received while the radiation issue is pending.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Notes:

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Regional offices of jurisdiction (ROJs) must verify the existence of a radiogenic disease before transferring the claims folder to the Jackson RO.

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Following resolution of all pending issues, the Jackson RO will transfer the claims folder back to the ROJ. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 5. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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b.   Criteria to Consider Before Beginning Development
<p class="MsoBlockText">Before undertaking development of a claim for service connection for a radiogenic disease, the following criteria must be met:
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      one of the radiogenic diseases listed in 38 CFR 3.309(d)(2) must be shown to exist by medical evidence, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the claimant must allege that the disability was the result of participation in a radiation-risk activity as defined in 38 CFR 3.309(d)(3).

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Note:   Veterans seeking benefits in connection with exposure to nuclear radiation are authorized by the Exposure to Nuclear Radiation and DoD Secrecy Agreement to divulge to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) the name, location of their command, duties performed, dates of service, and related information necessary to validate exposure to nuclear radiation.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Reference:   For more information on the Exposure to Nuclear Radiation and DoD Secrecy Agreement, see

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.C.7.f, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.C.12. {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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c.   Action to Take if the Criteria for Development Are Not Met
<p class="MsoBlockText">If one of the criteria listed in M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.5.b is not met
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      no further development under 38 CFR 3.309(d) is warranted, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      consider the claim as

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     any other claim for direct service connection under 38 CFR 3.303, or

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     a claim for ionizing radiation exposure under 38 CFR 3.311. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 5. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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d.    Action to Take When No Disability Is Claimed
<p class="MsoBlockText">A claim is not substantially complete if a Veteran alleges exposure to radiation during service, but does not claim service connection for a specific disability. In cases such as this
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      inform the Veteran that exposure, in and of itself, is not a disability, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      ask the Veteran to identify the disability(ies) that resulted from exposure to radiation during service.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Important:

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Do not

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     process the claim as a denial, or

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     establish end product (EP) control for the incomplete claim.

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Whenever possible, telephone the Veteran to obtain the information needed to substantiate the claim.

<p class="MsoBlockText"> 

<p class="MsoBlockText">Reference:   For more information on what constitutes a substantially complete application, see

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      38 CFR 3.159(a)(3), and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      M21-1MR, Part I, 1.B.3.a. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 5. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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e.   Source for Information on Radiation Risk Activities
<p class="MsoBlockText">The Department of Defense (DoD) is the source of information concerning the Veteran’s participation in radiation risk activity.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Send the following requests for verification to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA):

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      U.S. atmospheric nuclear weapons tests

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      occupational forces in Hiroshima or Nagasaki, or

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      internment as a POW in Japan who was subject to the same conditions as occupational forces.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Address:

<p class="MsoBlockText">Defense Threat Reduction Agency

<p class="MsoBlockText">ATTN:   TDND/NTPR

<p class="MsoBlockText">8725 John J. Klingman Road, Mail Stop 6201

<p class="MsoBlockText">Ft. Belvoir, VA   22060-6201.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Note s :

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Direct any questions on requesting verification from DTRA to the Compensation Service Advisory Review Staff, 211B.

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Historical names for DTRA include the

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Defense Special Weapons Agency

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Defense Nuclear Agency

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     U.S. Army and Joint Services Environmental Support Group, and

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Army/Navy Nuclear Test Personnel Review.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Reference:   For information on how to handle verification requests pertaining to participation in non-U.S. atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, see M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.C.9.c. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 5. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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f.   Information That Must Be Included in the Development Letter to the DTRA
<p class="MsoBlockText">Development letters to DTRA must contain the following information:
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the Veteran’s and claimant’s

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     name

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     address, and

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     telephone number

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the Veteran’s

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     branch of military service

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     military service number, and

<p class="BulletText2" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2"> -     Social Security number (SSN)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the name of the Veteran’s organization or unit of assignment at the time of exposure

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the dates of assignment(s)

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      a full description of the duties and activities of the Veteran while a participant in a radiation-risk activity

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      the specific disease entity, and

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      a citation of the specific regulation under which the request is made.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Notes:

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      The specific disease entity must be consistent with those in 38 CFR 3.309(d)(2).

<p class="BulletText1" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:  Symbol;color:windowtext"> ·      Simply stating “cancer” is not adequate. State the more specific description, such as “cancer of the thyroid.”

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Reference:   For a sample development letter to DTRA, see M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.6. <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 5. Developing Claims for Service Connection for Radiogenic Diseases Under 38 CFR 3.309(d), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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g.   Additional Information to Include in the Development Letter to DTRA
<p class="MsoBlockText">In addition to the development letter, enclose a copy of the claimant’s statement about his/her activities.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Military personnel who served in Japan after the end of World War II must have been a part of the occupation forces to be eligible for presumptive service connection.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">If the claims folder contains VA Form 21-3101, Request for Information, on which the National Personnel Records Center has stated that the Veteran was a member of the occupation forces of Japan, attach the VA Form 21-3101 to the request to DTRA.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">If development includes a request for a dose assessment under 38 CFR 3.311 for disabilities not covered under 38 CFR 3.309(d), enclose copies of the available military documents provided by the claimant, such as the discharge certificate, orders, and other records in support of the claim, provided in response to development under M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.C.

<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Note:   If the claimant’s statement contains all the elements listed in M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.B.5.e, the requester may refer to the claimant’s statement rather than repeat the information in the development letter. Use the term, “attached document” in the development letter when referring to the claimant’s statement. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt"> '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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6.   Exhibit 1:   Sample Letter for Requesting Verification of Participation in a Radiation-Risk Activity or Radiation Dose Information From the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
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Introduction
<p class="MsoBlockText">This exhibit contains a sample letter for requesting verification of participation in a radiation-risk activity or radiation dose information from the DTRA. <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">
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Change Date
<p class="MsoBlockText">September 5, 2008 {| border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:fixed;mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt"
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a.   Sample Letter – Page 1
<p class="MsoBlockText">Page 1 of a sample letter for requesting verification of participation in a radiation-risk activity or radiation dose information from the DTRA is below.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Note:   If additional disabilities are claimed under 38 CFR 3.311, which requires a dose estimate, provide the appropriate information required by M21-1MR, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.C.10. <p class="MsoNormal"> <p class="ContinuedOnNextPa" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">Continued on next page '''<span style="font-size:16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:black;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"> '''
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<p class="MapTitleContinued"> 6. Exhibit 1:   Sample Letter for Requesting Verification of Participation in a Radiation-Risk Activity or Radiation Dose Information From the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Continued <p class="BlockLine" style="margin-left:0in;mso-border-between:.75pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-between:1.0pt">

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b.   Sample Letter – Page 2
<p class="MsoBlockText">Page 2 of a sample letter for requesting verification of participation in a radiation-risk activity or radiation dose information from the DTRA is below.
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<p class="MsoBlockText">

<p class="MsoBlockText">Important:   If the claim is being developed under 38 CFR 3.309(d), the radiogenic disease shown on the letter must be on the list of presumptive diseases under 38 CFR 3.309(d)(2). <p class="MsoNormal">
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