disease does not militate against there being a causal relationship in this particular case. It is my opinion that a strong probability exists that [veteran’s] current illness is service connected. Findings of the BVA and Basis for Decision: \n granting service connection for acute granulocytic leukemia the Board found that the veteran’s duties involved association with atomic materials and on occasion known exposure to atomic radiation andit said: The official record of measured exposure to atomic radiation and other evidence of record do not affirmatively show specific exposure in an amount medically considered to be dangerous. However, the opinion of the independent medical specialist is that, although the case is very complex and reliance must be made on “‘validity of conjecture” rather than on any definite demonstration of excessive exposure or even any impartial or disinterested corroboration of much of the veteran’s history, there is a strong probability that the feukemia was the result of exposure to atomic radiation during service. The specialist has gone into the various ramifications which led him to this conclusion and further discussion does not appear to be necessary. His opinion certainly raises a reasonable doubt, within the range of probability, the resolution of whichin favor of the veteran warrants a grant of service connection. CASE NO. 30 Type of Injury: Rheumatic Heart Disease. . BVASs Decision: Denial Affirmed. Date of Decision: 1965. Appellant’s Allegation: That veteran’s death from rheumatic fever was the result of radiation exposure he received while in the service. Facts: Veteran was born in 1907 and had active duty from March 6, 1943 to December 31, 1946. Veteran was a photographer aboard a ship in the Pacific during the 1946 underwater atomic tests. Veteran was hospitalized in July of 1961 and died on December 25, 1961 of rheumatic heart disease. Service records revealed that veteran’s ship was not at anytime in radioactive waters during the period in question. Medical Evidence: At the time of veteran’s hospitalization in July 1961 he was treated for myocardial infarction. Signs of subacute bacterial endocarditis and renal insufficiency were found. During his hospitalization a bone marrow examination revealed no abnormal cells, or blood dyscrasia. His heart was enlarged, toud diastolic and systolic murmurs were heard, and there was increasing renal insufficiency. In spite of intensive treatment his illness pursued an unremitting downhill course and he died on December 25, 1961. An autopsy revealed an old myocardial infarction, inactive rheumatic heart disease with aortic stenosis and mitral insufficiency, superimposed subacute bacterial endocarditis, pyelonephritis, embolic glomerulonephritis and nephrosclerosis, and focal acute hemorrhagic lesions in the lungs, liver, spleen and skin, which had occurred at the time of death and without evidence of any vasculities. Bone marrow was not unusual. His death was due to cardiac failure and uremia. The pathological material was subsequently submitted by this Board to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology for review. They concurred in the diagnoses of the hospital and reported that no changes due to ionizing radiation could be recognized in the tissues. Findings of the BVA and Basis for Decision: In finding that veteran’s death was not due to the effects of radiation incurred while in service, the Board observed in pertinent part: In order to decide whether or not the veteran’s death was, as contended, due to atomic radiation, it must be determined that he received radiation, that the type and amount received was harmful, and 94 95