Fighting for the Overlooked Recognition of Groups Operating in Toxic Test Environments in Nevada (FORGOTTEN) Veterans Act of 2025

This bill mandates the Secretary of Defense to significantly expand the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record (ILER) to comprehensively document all toxic exposures experienced by members of the Armed Forces, including those within the United States. This expansion will incorporate all-hazard occupational data, known environmental hazards, and detailed medical information related to toxic exposures, ensuring the ILER is available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs upon transition to civilian life. To improve internal processes and facilitate better care and benefits, the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs must ensure the ILER is accessible to DoD and VA healthcare providers epidemiologists and researchers disability evaluation and benefits determinations specialists . Additionally, the bill requires documenting potential toxic exposure locations in service members' records, with provisions to protect classified information. A key provision establishes a presumption of toxic exposure for military members and civilian Department of Defense employees who have been stationed or employed at facilities covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. Crucially, the bill specifically addresses the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) , classifying it as a location where contamination occurred and directing the Air Force to identify all service members stationed there since January 27, 1951, without requiring individual evidence. For veterans who served at a covered location at the NTTR since January 27, 1951, the bill amends title 38, United States Code, to treat their service as a radiation-risk activity and establish a presumption of toxic exposure . Furthermore, it creates a presumption of service connection for lipomas and tumor-related conditions for these specific veterans, facilitating access to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.