Atomic radiation

RMA Definition

The RMA defines atomic radiation as "ionising radiation excluding:

(i)         natural background radiation;

(ii)        therapeutic radiation; and

(iii)       radiation from diagnostic procedures."

Exposure to atomic radiation during VEA service

Australian service personnel with known atomic radiation exposure are:

(i)        POW(J)s who were in the Nagasaki area on 9 August 1945.

(ii)       Personnel who served in or visited Hiroshima in connection with the occupation of Japan by the British Commonwealth Occupation Force from February 1946.

(iii)      Members of the defence forces who were involved in the British Nuclear Tests (BNT) Program in Australia between 1952 and 1963.

There are no other groups of Australian service personnel with eligible VEA service who have known service-related atomic radiation exposure.

There may also be other individual service personnel who contend exposure to atomic radiation during service covered by the VEA.  Such claims should be investigated on their merits.

Further information about atomic radiation is contained in SOP Bulletin No. 106 - Atomic Radiation and SOP Nulletin No. 145 – Atomic Radiation – Update British Nuclear Test Participants.

Last reviewed for CCPS 26 August 2004.

Investigative Documents

Preliminary questions [33912]

30275 there is some evidence that atomic radiation may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

33903  the veteran has established the causal connection between the atomic radiation and VEA service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

33904   the veteran has established the causal connection between the atomic radiation and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

or

33905   the veteran has established the causal connection between the atomic radiation and eligible service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the colorectum.

Clinical onset and operational service [33904]

33906 the veteran received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.05 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum.

33907 the veteran received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.05 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum where this dose was accumulated at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

33908 the veteran's operational service made a material contribution to the cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.05 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum where this dose was accumulated at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

33915 the cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.05 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum, to which operational service made a material contribution and this dose was accumulated at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.

Clinical onset and eligible service [33905]

33909 the veteran received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.5 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum.

33910 the veteran received a cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.5 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum where this dose was accumulated at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

33911 the veteran's eligible service made a material contribution to the cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.5 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum where this dose was accumulated at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

33916 the cumulative equivalent dose of at least 0.5 Sievert of atomic radiation to the colorectum, to which eligible service made a material contribution and this dose was accumulated at least five years before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.