On January 13th, 2017, the VA announced that service connection for certain diseases related exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune will be presumed to be service connected. This presumption will eliminate the requirement for veterans to prove that these conditions were caused by the exposure. Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members who were stationed in Camp Lejeune from August 1st, 1953 to December 31st, 1987 may be eligible for compensation.
Currently the following diseases will be considered:
• Adult leukemia
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
There are also additional medical conditions that have been linked to exposure to the chemicals present at Camp Lejeune that the VA decided to not create a presumption of service connection but that still may be entitled to service connection including:
- Esophageal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Hepatic steatosis
- Female infertility
- Miscarriage
- Scleroderma
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Additionally, some preexisting conditions can be aggravated by chemical exposure through the water contamination and they may be entitled to service connection.
The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012
As a result of the Camp Lejeune water contamination, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 was signed into effect on August 6, 2012. This Act provides (in addition to compensation) for VA medical care if you meet the service period requirements and are suffering one of the conditions listed above.
Have You Suffered Because of Contamination? We Can Help!
If you have one of the conditions listed above, believe that a preexisting condition was aggravated by exposure to these chemicals or suspect that you have a secondary condition caused by the contamination, speak to an attorney immediately. If you have suffered because of the contamination, you may be entitled to VA disability compensation and other benefits.
Call the nationwide veterans disability attorneys of Bosley & Bratch at (800) 953-6224 for a free evaluation of your case. If you have filed a claim and received a Rating Decision but were denied or are not satisfied with the rating percentage, please contact us today to see what we can do for your case.