Official Designation
The committee’s official designation is the Veterans’ Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction.
Scope and Objectives
Department of Defense (DoD), through Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) as the Executive Agent, provides dose estimates for veterans who participated in the 1945-1946 occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki, Japan, and in U.S. sponsored atmospheric nuclear testing between 1945 and 1962. These dose reconstructions are used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate and decide veterans' claims filed under the provisions of Public Law (PL) 98-542 and implementing regulations in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 3.311. Congress directed the Secretaries of DoD and VA under Section 601 of Public Law (PL) 108-183 to appoint an advisory board to provide on-going independent review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program.
Authority
Section 601 of PL 108-183, dated December 16, 2003, is the authority for Advisory Board on Veterans Dose Reconstruction. The Board is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), PL 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App 2), which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
Duties
The Advisory Board on Veterans Dose Reconstruction shall advise DoD and VA as directed under Section 601 of PL 108-183 as follows :
(a) conduct periodic, random audits of dose reconstructions and decisions on claims for radiogenic diseases;
(b) assist the VA and DTRA in communicating to veterans information on the mission, procedures, and evidentiary requirements of dose reconstruction;
(c) carry out other activities with regard to review and oversight of the Dose Reconstruction Program as specified jointly by the Secretaries; and
(d) make recommendations on modifications to the mission and procedures of the Dose Reconstruction Program as the Advisory Board considers appropriate as a result of the audits.
Reporting Relationship
The Advisory Board shall report to the Director, DTRA and the VA Undersecretary for Benefits.
Duration
Duration is indefinite, subject to the biennial renewal of the Advisory Board charter by the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
Structure
The Advisory Board shall consist of no more than 16 members to be appointed by the Director, DTRA, in accordance with DoD Directive 5105.4, and the VA Undersecretary for Benefits. DTRA will designate and provide the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) for the meetings and the Executive Secretary for the Advisory Board from its own organization.
Subcommittees which may be necessary to fulfill the Board's mission may be established.
Membership
The Board shall be composed of members as di rected by Section 601 of PL 108-183 as follows:
- At least one expert in historical dose reconstruction of the type conducted under the Dose Reconstruction Program
- At least one expert in radiation health matters
- At least one expert in risk communications
- A VA representative
- A DTRA representative
- At least three veterans, including at least one veteran who is a member of an atomic veterans group.
Meetings
It is expected that no more than 6 meetings per year will be held.
Compensation
Consideration of member compensation will be handled in accordance with DoD Directive 5105.4.
Annual Cost Estimate
Total annual operating costs are estimated at $1,000,000.
Total Federal person-years will be approximately 2 per year (Administrative support).
Support
DTRA will provide resources and funds necessary to perform scientific, technical, and administrative support to the Board.
Termination Date
The Advisory Board shall terminate not later than the expiration of the two-year period beginning on the date of its establishment unless the Advisory Board is renewed by the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs prior to the end of such period.
Date Charter Filed
November 24, 2004.
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