VA Finalizes Presumptive Diseases Rule for Camp Lejeune – Toxic Water and What You Should Know

Camp Lejeune was a Marine Corps base camp in North Carolina and the site of significant water contamination at housing facilities, the base hospital, and even recreational facilities for more than three decades. From January 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated through various industrial activities and off-base dry-cleaning facilities.

Are You One of the Approximately One Million Exposed?

How Can You Recover Compensation for Toxic Base Water?

Sadly, roughly one million veterans and families living on the base were exposed to toxic substances and chemicals like vinyl chloride, benzene, perchloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE). Service at Camp Lejeune meant using the contaminated drinking water for cooking, bathing, and more. These toxic chemicals caused veterans to develop severe medical conditions. So victims inhaled it, made skin contact with it, or ingested it at some point whiled cased there. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been working to finalize the Presumptive Diseases Rule based on what the Agency of Toxic Substance and Disease Registry says and did so in 2017. Now, these service members can receive appropriate disability compensation.

Military veterans with health problems might determine that these conditions were caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Such volatile organic compounds are dangerous and lead to certain diseases. If you were a National Guard member or in the Air Force, you might be entitled to compensation, and Ehline Law Firm can help. Please call (833) LETS-SUE today!

What’re the Presumptive Diseases Rule for Camp Lejeune?

The VA released a document called the Presumptive Diseases Rule based on the facts about the Camp Lejeune water contamination. It states that eight presumptive conditions are primarily service-connected and explains the scientific evidence and who might be eligible for any disability compensation. The effective date for the rule was March 14, 2017.

What’s the Presumptive Service Connection Mean?

The phrase “presumption of service connection” indicates that the VA can automatically assume that any listed illnesses were caused by a direct service connection in the military service. If the eligible member can prove that they have one of those eight diseases, they’re entitled to appropriate disability compensation.

Who Does the Rule Apply To?

You could be eligible for compensation if you provided service at Camp Lejeune and these requirements apply:

• You’re a veteran, former National Guard member, or former reservist who has been honorably discharged.
• You had been stationed within the borders of the MCAS New River, North Carolina base, or Camp Lejeune.
• You served anywhere from August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, with at least 30 days (could be non-consecutive).

This rule doesn’t apply to the family members who might have lived on the base and even suffered radiation exposure, Agent Orange, Asbestos, and even Mustard Gas! However, we can help children and spouses of Marines who served here during that time period, as well as former reservists. So if you have symptoms of adult Leukemia, including fatigue, difficulty swallowing, easy bruising, pale skin, or Aplastic Anemia, you may have a claim for damages, even if you have a family history of certain or other forms of cancers, and health issues, other health problems, etc.

Of Note

Eligibility of the presumptive service connection for exposure at Camp Lejeune isn’t established for those who served on vessels docked at the camp or were in satellite camps unless their military orders reflect another service at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, including base housing at the military base. It’s a bit convoluted, so call us better to understand your rights, duties, and obligations.

Claims Impacted

Disability compensation claims filed with the VA after March 14, 2017, or claims pending before these time periods are impacted. There’s no retroactive provision. If you had a claim that was previously denied, you should start a new one because of this rule.

Are Former National Guard Members Included?

Yes, these members are eligible for VA benefits, and the rule could apply to them.

What Illnesses Are Covered by the Presumptive Diseases Rule for Camp Lejeune?

VA health care benefits can be provided to Camp Lejeune veterans and others if they have any of these diseases associated with service-connected disabilities:

• Aplastic anemia/similar other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple myeloma
• Adult leukemia
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer.

There’s no known complete date for when these presumptive conditions must come about or develops before being included.

How Can You Get Disability Compensation?

If you believe you’re eligible for compensation because of the Camp Lejeune Presumptive Disease Rule, you should file a claim through the VA.

You may do so:

• Online
• At a VA regional office
• Through an accredited representative
• By hiring an attorney.

When filing the claim, the VA should ask you to submit medical evidence and other proof, such as:

• Military records of serving or official documentation of service department records that prove you had active duty at MCAS New River or Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for 30 days or more
• Medical records showing that you’ve got one of the eight listed presumptive illnesses

Can You Receive Compensation for Other Illnesses Related to Military Service at that Time?

Countless other diseases aren’t listed in the service connection rule that victims of contaminated water exposure might suffer from, including:

• Scleroderma
• Renal toxicity
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Multiple myeloma
• Miscarriage
• Lung cancer
• Leukemia
• Kidney cancer
• Hepatic steatosis
• Bladder cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Female infertility.

The VA determined that there wasn’t enough evidence to add those things to the presumptive connection rule. However, veterans with those illnesses are still entitled to receive paid health care expenses.

Do You Need an Attorney if You Were Stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station?

The Camp Lejeune Families Act focuses on the people who lived and worked at the Marine Corps base. Overall, the Department of Veteran Affairs researched the claims of contaminated water and has come up with a list of eight conditions primarily caused by drinking or bathing in the water in the period beginning in 1953 and ending in 1987.

It would help if you had a current diagnosis of one of those illnesses and had been stationed at Camp Lejeune during the time period.

While you could file for benefits, it’s often difficult to do so. Therefore, many people turn to an attorney with knowledge of military laws. I’m Michael Ehline, and I served my country, so I know the issues you face and can help you through this challenging journey.

Why Should You Hire a Chemical Exposure Lawyer?

Yes! The VA only offers disability benefits for small groups of people who might have suffered because they were exposed to contaminated water. However, thousands of people have come forward with claims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal because of the Camp Lejeune Act of Justice created in 2022.

Many veterans previously filed their claims for health conditions related to military service on the base and were denied. They now have two years longer to file a new claim to get the compensation they deserve.

Did you live, work, or serve on the Camp Lejeune base for 30 or more days between 1953 and 1987? You can file a claim through the Justice Act if you have one of the eight conditions listed above.

However, you require an experienced and knowledgeable legal team to offer assistance. We have the skills needed to handle extensive paperwork, track down your medical records, and collect evidence on your behalf and for your case. Get us on the line so we can help you make Christmas come early!

Lets our inactive Marines work to your advantage and help cover your pain and suffering, as well as treatment as these sad symptoms manifest. Although civilians are not covered yet, we are in the process of working, most notably with the Paul Ehline Ride, to make this happen and get it finalized once and for all.

Ehline Law Firm Can Assist Military Base Toxic Chemical Exposure Victims Today!

If you served at Camp Lejeune, you’ve likely learned about the risk factors of the Camp Lejeune contaminated water. Many veterans and their families bathed in, cooked in, and drank from the water supply. Confusion over your rights is

Qualifying service members are at an increased risk, and many of the chemicals used in the wells could get into your body through regular skin contact.

Justice for you and other victims is long overdue. We can help you get your VA disability benefits. Contact us at (833) LETS-SUE to request a free consultation or use the online form. It’s time to stand up for your rights once again!