Sergeant Dave Crete FORGOTTEN Veterans Act of 2026
The provisions, in plain language.
Requires the VA Secretary, working with the Defense Secretary, to establish a process to identify veterans who served at nuclear test sites or Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP) covered facilities and may have been exposed to toxic substances during their service.
Prohibits the VA from requiring a veteran to provide proof that they were exposed to a specific toxic substance, as long as they can establish that they served at a covered location.
Amends VA law (38 U.S.C. §§ 1112 and 1119) to add Nevada Test and Training Range and EEOICP-listed facilities as covered locations for purposes of presumptive service-connection for diseases linked to toxic or radiation exposure.
Directs the VA to commission a scientific study — conducted by HHS or another appropriate scientific organization within 180 days — examining toxic exposures and health outcomes (cancer morbidity and mortality) among veterans who served at covered locations.
Establishes and requires the VA to maintain a registry of veterans who served at covered locations and may have had toxic exposure, to be used for epidemiological research, claims adjudication, veteran outreach, and coordination with DoD; veterans must have the opportunity to opt out.
Requires the Defense Secretary to officially classify the Nevada Test and Training Range (including the Nevada National Security Site) and EEOICP-listed facilities as contaminated locations, and to identify and document service members and veterans who were stationed there, sharing that documentation with the VA to support benefits claims.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Veterans who served at Nevada nuclear test sites or EEOICP facilitiesThese veterans gain a presumptive path to VA disability benefits — they no longer must prove exposure to a specific toxic substance as long as service at a covered location is established (Sec. 3(c)), and their covered locations are added to the statutory presumption lists (Sec. 4).
- Survivors and families of affected veteransDependents and survivors of veterans who served at covered locations may also benefit from expanded presumptive eligibility for VA survivor benefits, as the service-connection path for the veteran's illness is broadened.
Who it burdens
- Department of Veterans AffairsThe VA must establish an identification process (Sec. 3), commission and oversee a scientific study (Sec. 5), and build and maintain a new registry (Sec. 7), all of which require administrative resources and coordination with DoD.
- Department of DefenseDoD must classify specified locations as contaminated, establish processes to identify affected personnel, gather documentation, and share records with the VA (Sec. 8), creating new mandatory administrative duties.
Who backs it
- Federal taxpayers (via DoD appropriations)Amounts authorized for the DoD may be transferred to HHS to fund the scientific study on toxic exposure and health outcomes (Sec. 5(c)); the bill does not specify a dollar amount.