The Sergeant Dave Crete FORGOTTEN Veterans Act of 2026 seeks to significantly improve benefits for veterans who may have been exposed to toxic substances during their military service at designated "covered locations." These locations include facilities listed under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and the Nevada Test and Training Range or Nevada National Security Site since January 27, 1951. The bill mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) coordinate to identify these veterans, explicitly stating that the VA cannot require affirmative evidence of specific toxic substance exposure if service at a covered location is established. A key provision of this legislation is the establishment of a presumption of toxic exposure for veterans who served at these covered locations, which will streamline the process for obtaining service-connected disability benefits. Furthermore, service at the Nevada Test and Training Range and Nevada National Security Site is classified as a radiation-risk activity , potentially expanding eligibility for certain VA benefits. The bill also requires the DoD to classify these sites as locations where contamination occurred and identify all service members stationed there, sharing this crucial information with the VA. To better understand and address the health impacts, the Act directs the VA, in coordination with the DoD, to commission a comprehensive study on potential toxic exposures and environmental hazards at covered locations, focusing on associations with cancer. Finally, it mandates the creation of a Covered Location Veteran Registry to collect epidemiological data, facilitate inter-agency coordination, inform veterans about available benefits, and support ongoing research and claims adjudication for those affected by toxic exposures.