Rating Claims Based on Participation in Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD)

Overview

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1. Rating Claims Based on Participation in Project SHAD

Introduction

This topic contains information on claims based on participation in Project SHAD, including

• background on Project SHAD
• considering service connection (SC) based on SHAD participation, and
• Project SHAD rating requirements.

Change Date

March 17, 2025

VIII.iii.6.B.1.a. Background on Project SHAD

From December 1962 to May 1974, the Department of War (DOW) conducted the Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) Project to identify the vulnerabilities of U.S. warships to chemical and biological warfare agents.

Reference: For more information on development and other considerations for claims based on participation in Project SHAD, see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 6.A.

VIII.iii.6.B.1.b. Considering SC Based on SHAD Participation

The determination of whether to award service connection (SC) for a disease or injury claimed as related to participation in Project SHAD is not limited to an evaluation on that basis. Decisions to award or deny SC should also consider all exposures the Veteran incurred in all documented toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) participation, to include SHAD testing.

Note: There are no presumptive conditions or disabilities recognized as common to Project SHAD. DOW used more than 140 agents in testing with differing durations, dosage, and methods of exposure, and noted that an Institute of Medicine study conducted between the years of 1982 and 1985 found no significant long-term health effects in participants.

References: For more information on

• requesting medical opinions for SHAD participants, see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 6.A.2.c, and
• processing TERA claims, see the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 Implementation Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

VIII.iii.6.B.1.c. Project SHAD Rating Requirements

In addition to the general rating narrative requirements outlined in M21-1, Part V, Subpart iv, 1.A, SHAD rating decisions must follow the below guidelines.

• Since SHAD is considered TERA participation, the rating decision must follow the TERA rating guidance outlined in the PACT Act Implementation SOP.
• When denying SC because an explicit allegation of SHAD participation could not be established, the rating decision must include the following free text:

You reported exposure to Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD) testing, also known as Project SHAD or Project 112. From 1962 to 1974, the Department of War (DOW) conducted Project SHAD to determine the potential risks to U.S. warships and American forces from chemical and biological warfare agents. The evidence of record does not show you participated in SHAD testing.

• When completing the SUBJECT field on the ISSUE MANAGEMENT tab in Veterans Benefits Management System – Rating (VBMS-R), end the description of the disability with [SHAD] regardless of whether the issue is being awarded or denied. This will clearly identify the SHAD Project claimed issues, or those issues which the decision maker has decided are related to the Project 112/SHAD Project, on the Codesheet.

Example: Scar, right upper extremity [SHAD].

Reference: For more information on entering decisions in VBMS-R, see the VBMS Rating User Guide.