VA BENEFITS REFERENCE
Primary Liver Cancer Presumptive Reference
Official presumptive service rules for Primary liver cancer, including listed locations, dates, criteria and sources.
VA lists the following pathways for Primary liver cancer. Each row retains its own dates and limitations. Listing a condition does not decide an individual award.
| Condition | Exposure | Listed Service Locations | Service Dates | Criteria And Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Atmospheric nuclear-test sites and direct support activities | Trinity: July 16, 1945 through August 6, 1945; Crossroads: July 1, 1946 through August 31, 1946; Sandstone: April 15, 1948 through May 20, 1948; Ranger: January 27, 1951 through February 6, 1951; Greenhouse: April 8, 1951 through June 20, 1951; Buster-Jangle: October 22, 1951 through December 20, 1951; Tumbler-Snapper: April 1, 1952 through June 20, 1952; Ivy: November 1, 1952 through December 31, 1952; Upshot-Knothole: March 17, 1953 through June 20, 1953; Castle: March 1, 1954 through May 31, 1954; Teapot: February 18, 1955 through June 10, 1955; Wigwam: May 14, 1955 through May 15, 1955; Redwing: May 5, 1956 through August 6, 1956; Plumbbob: May 28, 1957 through October 22, 1957; Hardtack I: April 28, 1958 through October 31, 1958; Argus: August 27, 1958 through September 10, 1958; Hardtack Ii: September 19, 1958 through October 31, 1958; Dominic I: April 25, 1962 through December 31, 1962; Dominic Ii/Plowshare: July 6, 1962 through August 15, 1962 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Onsite participation during a listed operational period, or qualifying project-completion or decontamination duties at the test or staging area within six months afterward. Atmospheric testing includes underwater detonations. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Eniwetok garrison and maintenance forces | June 21, 1951 through July 1, 1952; August 7, 1956 through August 7, 1957; November 1, 1958 through April 30, 1959 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Service as a member of garrison or maintenance forces during one of the specific periods. This is separate from the 1977-1980 cleanup provision. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Naval shipyards decontaminating Operation Crossroads ships | The regulation specifies qualifying duties, without a separate universal calendar window | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Assignment to official military duties at naval shipyards involving decontamination of ships that participated in Operation Crossroads. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan | August 6, 1945 through July 1, 1946 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Official military duties within ten miles of either city limit, required to perform or support occupation functions. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Qualifying former prisoners of war in Japan | August 6, 1945 through July 1, 1946 for the specified exposure opportunity | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Comparable exposure opportunity includes internment or demonstrated work within 75 miles of Hiroshima or 150 miles of Nagasaki, qualifying occupation duties immediately after internment, or repatriation through Nagasaki. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Paducah, Portsmouth and Oak Ridge K25 gaseous diffusion plants | At least 250 days before February 1, 1992 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Official military duties on plant grounds; each counted day requires dosimetry monitoring or duties with comparable exposure to monitored jobs. Any portion of a calendar day counts. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Amchitka Island, Alaska | Before January 1, 1974 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Duty-related exposure to ionizing radiation connected to the Long Shot, Milrow or Cannikin underground nuclear tests. 38 CFR 3.309(d). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Service equivalent to a Department of Energy Special Exposure Cohort | Dates and day-count requirements depend on the qualifying statutory cohort or designation | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Military service in a capacity that, if performed as a DOE employee, would qualify under 42 U.S.C. 7384l(14). The specific cohort criteria must be checked; general DOE-site service is insufficient. |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Enewetak Atoll cleanup | January 1, 1977 through December 31, 1980 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Participation in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll. |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Palomares, Spain nuclear-weapons response | January 17, 1966 through March 31, 1967 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Onsite participation in the response to the B-52 and refueling-plane collision and release of nuclear weapons. |
| Primary liver cancer | Radiation | Thule Air Force Base, Greenland nuclear-weapons response | January 21, 1968 through September 25, 1968 | VA lists this disease for a radiation-exposed veteran who participated in a defined radiation-risk activity during active duty or qualifying Reserve training. No disease-specific onset deadline appears in 38 CFR 3.309(d); rebuttal rules apply. The presumption excludes cases indicating cirrhosis or hepatitis B. Onsite participation in the response to the B-52 fire and crash that released nuclear weapons. |
| Liver cancer | Camp Lejeune | Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina | August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987 | The listed disease must become manifest to at least 10% at any time after service. These are the eight compensation presumptions, separate from health-care coverage and civil litigation. Rebuttal rules apply. At least 30 total days of military service, consecutive or nonconsecutive, within the borders of either base. Applies to veterans and qualifying former Reserve and National Guard members; service and discharge requirements remain. 38 CFR 3.307(a)(7) and 3.309(f). Verified 2026-10-25. Source 1 · Source 2 · Source 3 |
Read The Exposure Rules
Official Sources
Last verified 2026-10-25. Source publication or legal effective dates are shown separately where available.
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.309
- www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/42/7384l
- www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/ionizing-radiation/
- www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-3.307
- www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/
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