VA SUPPORTS "PROJECT SHAD" VETERANS

Veterans who believe they may have been exposed to dangerous substances as part of the military's "Project SHAD" or "Project 112" tests are encouraged to come to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a medical evaluation.

"VA's direct efforts on behalf of these veterans go back two years, when we asked the Defense Department to declassify information about the tests," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.

"VA is committed to helping the veterans of Project SHAD, Project 112 and all veterans who believe their military service has left them with medical problems," he added.

On Oct. 9, the Department of Defense (DoD) released declassified reports about 28 sea- and land-based tests of chemical and biological materials known collectively as "Project 112." They were conducted during the 1960s and early 1970s. DoD had previously declassified reports for 12 other tests.

The tests were designed to determine the vulnerability of U.S. warships to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents. Other Project 112 tests involved similar tests conducted on land rather than aboard ships.

VA has already undertaken a number of efforts to help these veterans:

• As DoD provides VA with personnel rosters of service members involved in tests, VA officials try to find the current addresses of veterans. So far, approximately 1,300 veterans have been notified by VA about their potential exposure and informed about VA programs to help them.
• Since December 2000, VA has offered medical evaluations to veterans concerned about whether the tests have affected their health.
• Fifty-five veterans have applied for VA disability compensation because they believe their medical problems are related to Project SHAD. Thirteen of the fifty-five receive VA disability compensation for medical problems unrelated to Project SHAD.
• On Oct. 8, VA announced that it has awarded a $3-million contract to the Institute of Medicine for a three-year study of the health of Project SHAD veterans.

Veterans who want information about obtaining a medical evaluation or filing a claim for disability benefits, may call the SHAD Helpline at 800-749-8387 or send an e-mail to VA at SHADHELPLINE@vba.va.gov.

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