Public Health
Radiation Exposure and Survivors' Benefits
VA offers a wide range of benefits to surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to radiation during military service and died as the result of diseases related to radiation exposure.
Benefits include compensation and health care benefits.
Compensation benefits
Surviving spouses, dependent children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to radiation during military service and died as the result of diseases related to radiation exposure may be eligible for a monthly payment called Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Survivors also may be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation if the Veteran died from other service-related injuries or diseases or was totally disabled from service-connected conditions for certain lengths of time at the time of death.
Find out more about eligibility for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Health care benefits
Surviving spouses and children of Veterans who died from a VA-rated, service-connected disability may be eligible for health care benefits under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).
Survivors also may be eligible for CHAMPVA if the Veteran was rated permanently and totally disabled from a service-connected disability at the time of death. To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE/CHAMPUS.
Find out more about eligibility for CHAMPVA health care benefits and how to apply.
Office of Survivors' Assistance
Find out more about available benefits for survivors and how to apply.
