From the 1950s through the 1980s, people who lived or worked at the U.S. Marine Corp Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water. The water was contaminated by a number of toxins including industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals.
Under a law signed August 6, 2012 veterans and family members who served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30-days or more between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987 may be eligible for VA medical care for the following 15 health conditions:
-Esophageal cancer; Breast cancer; Kidney cancer; Multiple myeloma; Renal toxicity; Female infertility; Scleroderma; Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; Lung cancer; Bladder cancer; Leukemia; Myelodysplastic syndromes; Hepatic steatosis; Miscarriage; Neurobehavorial effects.
If you are already enrolled in the VA healthcare system you can visit or contact your local Veterans Health Administration facility. If you are not already enrolled in the VA system call the VA at 1-877-222-8387.
Family members who resided at Camp Lejeune will be eligible for health care once Congress appropriates funds to VA and final regulations are published. Family members can also call 1-877-222-8387 for additional information.
This new law applies to healthcare benefits only. It does not apply to VA service-connected compensation. VA claims there is insufficient scientific and clinical proof to establish a presumptive association between service at Camp Lejeune during the period of water contamination and the development of certain diseases.
VA states they are closely monitoring new research and are working with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Even though the VA does not recognize the toxic contamination at Camp Lejeune for service-connected compensation purposes you may still file a claim based on direct service connection. To prevail on a claim for compensation due to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune, or anywhere else for that matter, you must establish service-connection. Establishing service connection generally requires medical evidence, or in certain circumstances lay evidence of:
(1) a current disability
(2) in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury; and
(3) a nexus between the claimed in-service disease or injury and the present disability
If you believe your current condition is due to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or anywhere else you were stationed VetsFirst recommends that you speak with a qualified veterans service officer or representative. If you cannot find local assistance please feel free to contact us through our Ask VetsFirst feature.
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