VA Benefits Attorney for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Illnesses

Attorney for U.S. Veterans Suffering From Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Illnesses

Camp Lejeune, a United States Marine Corps base located in North Carolina, has received attention due to its history of contaminated water. From the 1950s through the 1980s, thousands of military personnel and their families were exposed to toxic chemicals present in the drinking water supply on the base. The contamination resulted from various sources, including leaking underground storage tanks and waste from a local dry cleaning business. Chemicals that entered the water supply included benzene, vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene (TCE), and perchloroethylene (PCE). Exposure to these chemicals may have resulted in multiple types of serious health conditions that have affected veterans and their family members.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes that veterans who served at Camp Lejeune during a period where water on or near the base was contaminated may have developed certain medical conditions as a result. Veterans may qualify for disability benefits and other types of benefits, ensuring that they will be able to address their health issues and provide for their ongoing needs. At The Vet Law Office, we work to help veterans receive benefits for service-related illnesses and health conditions, and we can help people who served at Camp Lejeune address the ways they and their families have been affected.

Eligibility Requirements for Benefits Related to Service at Camp Lejeune

To be eligible for VA disability benefits related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, veterans must meet several criteria:

1. Service dates: The veteran must have served at Camp Lejeune or the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in New River, North Carolina for a total of at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
2. Disease Diagnosis: The veteran must have received a diagnosis of one or more specified medical conditions associated with exposure to contaminants found in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.
3. Discharge: The veteran must not have received a dishonorable discharge.

If these eligibility requirements are met, veterans can pursue compensation for their service-connected disabilities resulting from exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune.

Potential Medical Conditions

Veterans who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may have developed a range of medical conditions. The VA has identified several "presumptive conditions" that are associated with exposure to the chemicals that were present at Camp Lejeune. Veterans who have been diagnosed with these conditions will typically be eligible for disability benefits. The presumptive conditions include:

• Leukemia: A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. An adult diagnosis of leukemia may qualify for disability benefits.
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system.
• Multiple myeloma: A type of cancer that affects the plasma cells in the bone marrow.
• Other cancers: Forms of cancer that may qualify for VA disability benefits include bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and liver cancer.
  
• Parkinson's disease: A neurological disorder that affects the brain and central nervous system.
• Aplastic anemia: A condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce enough new blood cells.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with presumptive conditions may automatically qualify for disability benefits. However, there are multiple other conditions that may be related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These conditions include breast cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, infertility for women, increased risks of miscarriage, and certain neurological disorders. If a veteran has been diagnosed with one of these conditions, they may need to demonstrate that the health issues they have experienced are connected with their service at Camp Lejeune.

VA Benefits for Affected Veterans

If a veteran meets all eligibility requirements and has been diagnosed with a qualifying condition related to exposure at Camp Lejeune, they may be entitled to several types of VA benefits. These benefits can help alleviate financial burdens caused by their service-connected disabilities. Some potential benefits include:

• Disability compensation: Veterans may receive disability compensation payments based on the severity of their disability resulting from exposure at Camp Lejeune. The level of compensation depends on factors such as the extent of impairment and how it affects daily functioning. This compensation can provide financial support for necessary medical treatment, assistive devices, and even lost wages if the disability prevents the veteran from working.
• Healthcare benefits: Veterans who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may be eligible for healthcare coverage through the VA. This includes coverage for medical treatment of conditions related to their exposure, as well as access to specialty care, mental health services, and prescription medications. Veterans with specific conditions related to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune will typically be able to receive coverage without paying any out-of-pocket costs.

Family members of veterans may also be eligible for healthcare benefits through the VA. A person who lived at Camp Lejeune during the period detailed above or a child who was in utero when their mother lived on the base during that time may qualify for benefits related to certain types of health conditions.

Contact Our Veterans' Benefits Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Illnesses

Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune during the specified period or family members who have been affected by health issues related to contaminated water can take steps to receive benefits through the VA. At The Vet Law Office, we work with veterans and their families to address issues related to disability benefits. We can work with you to file the proper claims and receive the benefits you need. Contact us at 1-800-700-4174 to schedule a consultation today.