| DoD: 60s Tests May Have Harmed Veterans | |
Recently declassified reports on Cold War-era tests reveal that U.S. veterans may have been exposed to live nerve and biological warfare agents. The VA is now attempting to contact veterans who may have participated in the tests.
Conducted between 1963 and 1970, the tests were part of Project SHAD, an acronym for Shipboard Hazard and Defense. Project. The SHAD tests, part of the larger Deseret Test Center program, were designed to identify US warships' vulnerabilities to attacks with chemical or biological warfare agents and to develop procedures to respond to such attacks without reducing the battle-ready status of the ships.
Recently declassified medical information from twelve SHAD tests indicate that an unknown number of U.S. veterans may have been exposed to harmful nerve and biological agents.
While many details of the SHAD tests remain classified, the Defense Department (DoD) has started to provide the VA with information necessary to evaluate veterans' applications for benefits. So far, medical information from twelve tests, with about 4,300 participants, has been released. Detailed Fact Sheets on twelve SHAD tests are currently available: "Autumn Gold," "Copper Head," "Shady Grove," "Eager Belle phase I and phase II)," "Scarlet Sage," "Fearless Johnny," "Flower Drum phase I and phase II)," "DTC Test 68-50," "DTC Test 69-32," and "Purple Sage." (All files are in Adobe .pdf format.)
Update: On July 1, 2003, the Department of Defense declared its investigation of Project SHAD complete and released these additional fact sheets on the testing.
The Defense Department's investigation of SHAD began in August 2000, after the VA requested information needed to evaluate claims from servicemembers who believed they might have been exposed to harmful substances during their participation in the tests.
In its investigation, DoD is collecting information on test dates, identification of ships and personnel involved; test locations; simulated agents, tracer material, and decontaminants used; and test methods employed. The tests involved mostly members of the Navy, according to the DoD.
Involving hundreds of tests, the DoD investigation is continuing and VA Secretary Principi has asked that information be shared with VA as it is declassified.
Veterans Need to Know
VA will review the medical condition of Project SHAD veterans for unusual
patterns of illness. Any eligible veteran's medical problem linked to Project
SHAD can be treated at VA medical facilities and, potentially, qualify the
veteran for VA disability compensation.
Veterans who believe their health may have been affected by these tests should contact the SHAD help line at 1-800-749-8387 or contact VA by e-mail at shadhelpline@vba.va.gov.
