Military-Veterans Advocacy Executive Director John B. Wells recently addressed members of the National Association of Atomic Veterans during the organization’s 2026 Annual Convention in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Held August 20–22, the convention brought together Atomic Veterans, their families and advocates committed to securing recognition, benefits and support for those exposed to ionizing radiation during military service. Wells spoke during the convention’s Saturday evening banquet.

A Longstanding Partnership

Wells’ appearance continued MVA’s longstanding relationship with the National Association of Atomic Veterans and its members.

The two organizations have worked together to advocate for veterans exposed to radiation during military cleanup and response missions, including those who served at:

• Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands
• Palomares, Spain
• Thule Air Force Base in Greenland

For decades, many veterans involved in these missions struggled to obtain acknowledgment of their exposure and access to related benefits.

Recognition Under the PACT Act

Many affected veterans ultimately gained expanded recognition under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, commonly known as the PACT Act.

The law expanded eligibility for certain veterans exposed to toxic substances and radiation during military service. The Department of Veterans Affairs now presumes radiation exposure for qualifying veterans who participated in designated response and cleanup missions.

Before the PACT Act became law, MVA supported efforts such as the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act. That legislation sought to extend radiation-exposed veteran status and presumptive benefits to veterans involved in nuclear cleanup operations.

These changes represent meaningful progress for veterans who spent years seeking recognition of the risks they faced while serving their country.

Honoring the Persistence of Atomic Veterans

The NAAV convention offered an opportunity to recognize veterans whose exposure occurred decades ago but whose fight for acknowledgment and benefits continued throughout much of their lives.

“NAAV has never stopped fighting for veterans whose radiation exposure was overlooked for far too long,” Wells said. “MVA is proud of the work we have done alongside NAAV to help secure recognition and benefits for veterans who served at Enewetak, Palomares and Thule. Those victories matter, but our work is not finished.”

Atomic Veterans and their families have played a critical role in bringing these experiences to public attention. Their testimony, records and persistence have helped create greater awareness of the long-term health effects associated with military radiation exposure.

Continuing the Fight for Radiation-Exposed Veterans

Although important progress has been made, some veterans still face barriers when seeking recognition and benefits connected to radiation exposure.

Military-Veterans Advocacy remains committed to working alongside NAAV and other veterans organizations to:

• Raise awareness of military radiation exposure
• Protect existing benefits and presumptions
• Address gaps in eligibility
• Educate veterans and their families
• Advocate for legislative and policy reforms
• Ensure overlooked veterans are included in future protections

Partnerships between advocacy organizations allow veterans’ voices to reach more lawmakers, policymakers and members of the public. They also strengthen the collective effort to protect the benefits veterans earned through service.

MVA is honored to continue standing with the National Association of Atomic Veterans and its members.

Learn more about MVA’s toxic-exposure advocacy.

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This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Eligibility for VA benefits depends on the facts and evidence of each individual claim.