after a few months... an analysis of the evidence in this case does not show exposure to radiation or at least not to an extent that can be considered the inception of the turrently diagnosed leukemia. Leukemia was not present during the veteran’s World War II service terminating in January 1946. The veteran served aboard a carrier during the period the ship visited CASE NO. 3 Type of Injury: Leukemia. Japanese waters in the latter part of 1945, approximately two months following the atomic bomb explosion at Hiroshima. There is considerable distance between the Tokyo area, where the [carrier] anchored and the veteran visited, and the area of the atomic explosionat Hiroshima. There is no official record that the veteran was exposed to atomic BVA’s Decision: Denial Affirmed. radiation in Japan. An exposure to radioactive fallout or radiation occurring while in the area was negligible. The initial symptoms of leukemia approximates 1968, with diagnosis Date of Decision: 1970. Appellant’s Allegation: That the veteran was in Hiroshima, Japan, after the explosion of the atom bomb in World War Il and the leukemia now present resulted from ex posure to radiation. of the disease in the latter part of the year. A causal relationship is not shown between leukemia and any exposure to atomic radiation during World War H. fer ee Facts: The veteran’s active service extended from August 1943 to January 1946. Evidence indicated that his ship was in Japanese waters after the atomic bomb was dropped; that he fell into the water while assisting in anchoring in Tokyo Bay; that he visited areas thought to be near Hiroshima and subsequently wandered around a demolished area for approximately 3 or 4 hours; and that he returned to his ship through Yokohama. The veteran stated that he wassterile on return to the United States but indicated that this had never been proven. His service medical record did not reveal complaint or finding related to leukemia and no pertinent abnormality was noted at discharge, Medical Evidence: Statements and reports from two hospitals and a medical doctor relate to medical studies from December 1968 and diagnosis of leukemia, most likely myelocytic. The clinical information did not indicate any significant iltness in the past. Approximately two weeks previously he had flu-like symptoms and an abnormal blood count. The complaints included fatigue and weakness. His medical record also included information to the effect that he had discovered symptoms of gum bleeding approximately one year prior to diagnosis of leukemia and other symptoms approximately three months before the diagnosis. Findings of the BVA and Basis for Decision: In finding that leukemia was not incurred in or aggravated during wartime service, the Board said: The evidence in this case does not affirmatively show specific exposure to atomic radiation. It is recognized that the amount of radiation received by an individual is determined by the type of exposure and dosage rate. An acute dose is that received when the whole body is exposed for a short period of time, ranging up to about a week. It is also known that early fallout descends quickly and its radioactivity decreases rapidly at first and more slowly as time passes. The fallout which enveloped Hiroshima was not radioactive to any significant degree 22 23