Nuclear Navy Submariners and Blood Cancers

You might want to explore your father's exposure to asbestos as a causative agent for your father's illnesses as well. His rating exposed him to asbestos more than sailors with other ratings and it could be the cause of some of his ailments. In my case, surface, blue-water navy, also a Machinist's Mate (but non-nuclear) the VA recognized asbestos as a contributor to my prostate cancer for which they not only take care (sub-standard in my opinion) of me but supply any medications I require at no cost to me.

Yes I have a disability rating as the result of residuals related to the prostate cancer. I understand where you are re seeking counsel to address the VA's response to your father's condition, but suggest you seek out a local VSO (Veteran's Service Officer) first. He or she will help you file a claim for your father and they really know what they're doing and aren't in it for the money - like attorneys. Good luck.

Hello, my late husband served on the USS Nathan Hale as a machinist mate to the nuclear engine from 1973 untill about 1976. in the summer of 2017 he was diagnosed initially with MDS and later with the complication of MPN. By fall 2017, when he was not responding the usual chemotherapy, he was evaluated at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and given the diagnosis of CMML. This is WHO's newest designation for this disease. He began induction chemo for a stem cell transplant the last week of March in 2018 but died before the stem cell transplant could begin as the disease had spread to his spinal fluid. I have long suspected that this disease happened for him as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation in the Navy during those years.There is one complicating factor, however. He also did herbicide research as a USDA weed scientist. And was no doubt exposed to some extent to various herbicides that have been allegedly connected to leukemia victims. And because the scientific evidence, for the latter is weak, I am more convinced that his disease was caused from his Navy service. Nothing to be done now for him as he died and I would not be eligible for survivor benefits. But what bothers me more than anything else is that I have two young relatives who have in recent years volunteered for submariner service without a clear understanding of the long-term risks involved. What obligation does the Navy have to inform these young submariner volunteers of the lifetime risks? And does the Navy provide full disclosure about these risks to sailors serving on such ships? I am a PhD social scientist and I have read a lot of research about this. My husband was a very proud veteran and did not want to believe that the Navy would expose him in this regard. He was always told that his dosimeter readings were well within limits.We know now, of course, that no amount of ionizing radiation is safe, but based on the research I've read, I suspect the Navy knew in the 1970s that there could be long-term consequences for this exposure. I am a veteran myself and it saddens me that our country treats enlistees this way. All submariner service is voluntary and therefore I believe they should be given the fullest explanations of lifetime risks. Unfortunately my husband's disease was not diagnosed early due to lapses in medical judgment of some of his providers. If he could've had the stem cell transplant before he became so ill, he might still be alive today.

correction - nuclear submarines. My husband was on multiple carriers

This sounds like the best possible outcome for your father. And it's good news for other veterans who survive. Thank you for the update. All my best to your dad and your family. ❤️

I found out my father was on the Permit in 1966. He also served on the Pulaski, Sea Dragon, and Edison. It wa good to see posts stating the VA is recognizing some of these cancers. There is hope. My dad lived a long, full life. I came to this chat as the VA and his doctors said his cancer was not service replaced. I have a hard time believing that and, now reading some of your posts, am going to research further. My father-in-law passed from pancreatic cancer and that was tied directly to his exposure to agent orange in Vietnam.