SHAD vets could get VA care

VFW Magazine, Nov, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

The House approved legislation Sept. 10 that would provide VA health care for veterans who were subjected to potentially deadly toxins in Cold War biological and chemical tests. The bill, H.R. 2433--the Health Care for Veterans of Project 112/Project SHAD Act of 2003--would remove the current VA requirement that they prove their illnesses are related to their participation in the tests.

The Pentagon has identified 5,842 troops who were used as, what one participant called, "lab rats" in some 50 tests called Project 112 conducted by the Deseret Test Center between 1962 and 1973. In some cases, anthrax and the nerve agents sarin and VX were used. Project SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense) tests were conducted at sea and were part of Project 112.

Some veterans have complained of ailments such as cancer and hypertension, and through June VA had received 260 claims. Veterans who need help verifying their participation in a Project SHAD/112 test can call Pentagon staffers at 1-800-497-6261, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. To speak with a VA representative, call the Special Issues Helpline at 1-800-749-8387 or visit the VA SHAD Web site at www.appcl.va.gov/shad.> At press time the bill had been forwarded to the Senate VA Committee.

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