What this means
m21-1:VIII.iii.6.A explains developing claims based on participation in project shipboard hazard and defense (shad). In plain terms, the official guidance says from December 1962 to May 1974, the Department of War (DOW) conducted the Shipboard Hazards and Defense (SHAD) Project to identify the vulnerabilities of U.S. warships to chemical and biological warfare agents. It also addresses a claim is not substantially complete if a Veteran alleges participation in SHAD testing during service, but does not claim service connection (SC) for a specific disability.
How this may help with a claim
Use m21-1:VIII.iii.6.A as an internal VA audit trail for developing claims based on participation in project shipboard hazard and defense (shad), not as a promise of a particular result. Compare the actions recorded in your claim file or decision notice with this source-specific detail: From December 1962 to May 1974, the Department of War (DOW) conducted the Shipboard Hazards and Defense (SHAD) Project to identify the vulnerabilities of U.S. A claim is not substantially complete if a Veteran alleges participation in SHAD testing during service, but does not claim service connection (SC) for a specific disability. If the record does not show the expected action, identify the missing step precisely when asking VA or an accredited representative to review the file.
What to review in your file
- Check the file against this official condition: action to take when the Veteran claims participation in SHAD testing but does not claim a disability, and
- Confirm that the record or notice addresses this source point: SHAD participation is a type of toxic exposure risk activity (TERA). It must be researched and documented when explicitly claimed or implicitly raised by following the TERA procedures outlined in the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 Implementation Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), as well as the SHAD procedures below.
- Document how this stated step or exception applies: Consider a claim to be a SHAD claim if the Veteran claims disease or injury as a result of participation in Project SHAD.
Important limits
m21-1:VIII.iii.6.A is primarily internal workflow guidance about developing claims based on participation in project shipboard hazard and defense (shad). It can help identify what VA was expected to document, but it does not by itself create a claimant deadline, a freestanding entitlement, or a guaranteed remedy. The source also states: From December 1962 to May 1974, the Department of War (DOW) conducted the Shipboard Hazards and Defense (SHAD) Project to identify the vulnerabilities of U.S. ILER access should be requested in advance of receipt of a claim based on exposure in order to ensure that claims processing is not unnecessarily delayed.
Search terms when useful
Phrases that may help when searching your claim file or this library.
- Developing Claims Based on Participation in Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD)
- m21-1:VIII.iii.6.A
- Developing Claims Based
- Participation Project Shipboard
- Developing Claims Based Participation
- background Project SHAD
- SHAD participation toxic exposure
- identifying SHAD claim
Original VA guidance
The official VA text of this section
Overview
In This Section
This section contains the following topics:
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Topic | Topic Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | General Information on and Establishment of Claims Based on Participation in Project SHAD |
| 2 | Project SHAD Claims Development |
1. Developing Claims Based on Participation in Project SHAD
Introduction
This topic contains general information on establishment of claims based on participation in Project SHAD, including
- background on Project SHAD
- SHAD participation and toxic exposure risk activity (TERA)
- identifying a SHAD claim
- action to take when the Veteran claims participation in SHAD testing but does not claim a disability, and
- end product (EP) control of SHAD claims.
Change Date
March 17, 2025
VIII.iii.6.A.1.a. Background on Project SHAD
From December 1962 to May 1974, the Department of War (DOW) conducted the Shipboard Hazards and Defense (SHAD) Project to identify the vulnerabilities of U.S. warships to chemical and biological warfare agents.
Project SHAD encompassed both ship-based and land-based tests. SHAD testing involved service members from the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as a small number of personnel from the Army and Air Force.
Reference: For more information on Project SHAD, see the Project 112/SHAD website.
VIII.iii.6.A.1.b. SHAD Participation and TERA
SHAD participation is a type of toxic exposure risk activity (TERA). It must be researched and documented when explicitly claimed or implicitly raised by following the TERA procedures outlined in the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 Implementation Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), as well as the SHAD procedures below.
VIII.iii.6.A.1.c. Identifying a SHAD Claim
Consider a claim to be a SHAD claim if the Veteran claims disease or injury as a result of participation in Project SHAD.
Notes:
- Project SHAD was part of a larger effort called Project 112, with tests being both ship- and land-based. For Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) purposes, all claims resulting from participation in ship-based or land-based chemical or biological testing under these projects are considered SHAD claims.
- If a Veteran asserts exposure/testing outside of the recognized SHAD testing dates or based on Coast Guard service, follow TERA procedures to determine if non-SHAD TERA participation can be established.
Reference: For more information on TERA procedures, see the PACT Act Implementation SOP.
VIII.iii.6.A.1.d. Action to Take When the Veteran Claims Participation in SHAD Testing but Does Not Claim a Disability
A claim is not substantially complete if a Veteran alleges participation in SHAD testing during service, but does not claim service connection (SC) for a specific disability. In cases such as these, follow the procedures for handling an incomplete application at M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 1.C.2.b and c.
VIII.iii.6.A.1.e. EP Control of SHAD Claims
Upon receipt of a substantially complete SHAD claim for SC, establish a traditional rating end product (EP) (for example, 010, 110, 020) and affix the SHAD special issue indicator to the relevant contention(s).
References: For more information on
- EP control, see M21-4, Appendix B, Section II, and
- special issues, see M21-4, Appendix E.
2. Project SHAD Claims Development
Introduction
This topic contains information on developing claims based on participation in Project SHAD, including
- researching SHAD in the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER)
- procedures for researching SHAD participation, and
- requesting TERA medical opinions for SHAD participants.
Change Date
March 17, 2025
VIII.iii.6.A.2.a. Researching SHAD in ILER
The Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) is a joint DOW and VA web-based application that provides the ability to link a Veteran to military exposures and/or deployments.
Claims processors must utilize ILER to conduct preliminary research regarding claimed in-service chemical and biological agent testing-related exposures.
Important: ILER access should be requested in advance of receipt of a claim based on exposure in order to ensure that claims processing is not unnecessarily delayed.
Reference: For more information on ILER and how to obtain access, see the ILER Guidance.
VIII.iii.6.A.2.b. Procedures for Researching SHAD Participation
Follow the steps in the table below to verify a Veteran’s participation in Project SHAD.
Important: Prior to following the below SHAD verification steps, ensure the claim meets the threshold for applying TERA procedures, as outlined in the TERA Memorandum Job Aid.
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Is Project SHAD participation documented in ILER? Example: If yes, ensure the Individual Exposure Summary/ILER response is documented in the electronic claims folder in accordance with the ILER Guidance document SHAD participation and all other TERA on the TERA Memorandum upload the relevant fact sheet(s) from the Project 112/SHAD Fact Sheets site follow the examination guidance in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 6.A.2.c, and disregard the remaining steps in this table. If no, document the negative ILER result in accordance with the ILER Guidance, and go to the next step. |
| 2 | Does the Veteran’s military service fall within the dates of SHAD testing with a branch of service other than the Coast Guard, as outlined in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 6.A.1.a? If yes, go to the next step. If no, do not concede SHAD participation disregard the remaining step in this table, and continue processing the claim, to include completion of any TERA procedures. |
| 3 | Follow the steps for verifying SHAD participation outlined in the SHAD Job Aid. Can Project SHAD participation be established? If yes, document SHAD participation and all other TERA on the TERA Memorandum upload the relevant fact sheet(s) from the Project 112/SHAD Fact Sheets site, and follow the examination guidance in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 6.A.2.c. If no, do not concede SHAD participation, and follow procedures to research and document any other TERA participation. |
Reference: For more information on TERA, see the PACT Act Implementation SOP.
VIII.iii.6.A.2.c. Requesting TERA Medical Opinions for SHAD Participants
There are no presumptive conditions or disabilities recognized as common to Project SHAD. Participation in Project SHAD is considered a TERA. Complete a TERA Memorandum and schedule all appropriate examinations with medical opinions. Examinations should follow the TERA examination request procedures, and include the following, using fact sheets from the Project 112/SHAD Fact Sheets site:
- a request for a TERA medical opinion regarding any relationship between the claimant’s current disability and exposure to agents, simulants, tracers, and decontaminants used in the test(s) the Veteran was involved in, as well as any other documented TERA participation for the Veteran
- a copy of all applicable DOW fact sheets for the test(s) the Veteran participated in, and
- relevant evidence identified for the examiner’s review, including the ILER Summary, if available, and the DOW fact sheet(s).
Notes:
- If the name of the test(s) is/are known, in the comment section of the examination request, include a list of the agents, simulants, tracers, and decontaminants listed in the DOW fact sheet.
- Many claimants were involved in multiple tests. Medical examiners need information about all tests in which the Veteran was involved.
References: For more information on
- TERA examination request procedures, see the PACT Act Implementation SOP, and
- identifying relevant evidence for examiner’s review, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.8.d.