Thought you would be interested in the Titan II vet that has been at it with the VA since 2015 for radiation exposure. This guy is being put through the ringer. I put this on the website awhile back and this is his continued struggle. He is going to be wasting his time as the USAF will never admit a dirty nuclear warhead. See the tab labeled Warhead Radiation. If you are going to go through the ringer with the VA on this type of radiation exposure you need to ask that the records be released from Oak Ridge on the dismantling of the old warheads. Do not accept anything less.
Anyway here is the latest on this veterans case:
Citation Nr: 18106391 Decision Date: 05/30/18 Archive Date: 05/30/18 DOCKET NO. 11-07 441 DATE: May 30, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome, to include as due to ionizing radiation is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for thyroid cancer, to include as due to ionizing radiation is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active duty service from November 1962 to August 1966. 1. Entitlement to service connection for myelodysplastic syndrome, to include as due to ionizing radiation is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for thyroid cancer, to include as due to ionizing radiation is remanded. The Board’s remand instructions specifically requested that the RO contact the record repository for Little Rock Air and Lincoln Air Force Base and requests any relevant information regarding the Veteran’s exposure to ionizing radiation pursuant to C.F.R. § 3.311 (2017). A response to the RO request was granted by the U.S. Department of Airforce- Master Radiation Exposure Registry (MRER). Although the MRER response made a determination of the Veteran’s radiation exposure while he was assigned to the duty station of Little Rock, Arkansas, the MRER response did not make a determination of the Veteran’s exposure while stationed at Lincoln Airforce base. In an April 2018 Notice of disagreement, the Veteran asserts that he was primarily stationed at Lincoln Airforce Base for three years of duty. The Veteran also asserts that while stationed at Lincoln for three years he worked on the Atlas F weapons system that was less advanced than the Titan II weapons system he worked on at Little Rock Air Force Base. The Veteran also notes that the Atlas F weapons system required an array of electrician duties significantly different from the Titan II. He asserts that the AFCS requirements require ATLAS F electricians to perform operations on the actual nuclear warhead placing him in closer proximity to exposure, to ionizing radiation than when working with the Titan II. The Board finds this evidence probative and necessary to make a determination on the Veteran’s claims. The requested development has not been fully completed, all remand requirements have not been met to make a determination on the Veteran’s claims and the case may not move forward without prejudice to the Veteran. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998). It is noted that substantial effort was undertaken to obtain the information concerning the Little Rock AFB exposure, that should make a similar request concerning Lincoln somewhat easier. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. The AOJ should contact the MRER and request any relevant information that may establish that the appellant was exposed to ionizing radiation during his periods of service. Specifically, the MRER should focus on the Veteran’s time spent as an ATLAS F missile system electrician while stationed for three years at Lincoln Airforce Base. Information relating to incidents involving nuclear warheads, to include but not limited to, leaks, malfunctions and explosions should be considered. It should also be determined whether Lincoln Air Force Base has any evidence of any radiation being emitted from the ATLAS F rockets used at this base. If no studies or information is available, that should be specifically determined. If there is evidence of emitted radiation from the ATLAS F missile, even at rest, that should be specifically determined. The MRER in their response should also consider the Veterans assertion that while stationed for three years at Lincoln Airforce Base AFCS requirements, require ATLAS F electricians to perform operations on the actual nuclear warhead placing him in closer proximity to exposure to ionizing radiation than when working with the Titan II. 2. If the above results in evidence sufficient to establish the existence of a radiogenic disease as contemplated by 38 C.F.R. § 3.311 (2017), then a dose assessment should be obtained. Forward the Veteran’s records concerning his radiation exposure, including any service records, statements and testimony regarding radiation exposure, and any other information obtained from the above request to the Under Secretary for Health, for preparation of a dose estimate, to the extent feasible. All attempts should be made to determine what radiation exposure the Veteran may have received during his work as a missile electrician. If a specific estimate cannot be made, a range of possible doses should be provided. If more information is required regarding specifics of the Veteran’s alleged exposure, he should be contacted and asked to provide the information. 3. If the above-requested development results in a positive dose estimate, refer the claim to the Under Secretary for Benefits for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 3.311(c) (2017). MICHAEL D. LYON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD M. Elliot Harris, Associate Counsel