Camp Lejeune: Past Water Contamination

We have all seen many advertisements on TV and social media about contacting numerous law firms to join in class action suits emanating from water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Here is information from the VA about what’s going on.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene and other chemicals. As a part of the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, qualifying veterans can receive all their health care (except dental care) from the VA if they served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987, even if they don’t have a health condition that is presumed to be related to exposure. For individuals with one of the 15 medical conditions presumed to be related to exposure, there is no charge for care. For other health conditions, veterans will have a co-pay, depending on income and health eligibility priority category.

VA has established a presumptive service connection for veterans, reservists and National Guard members exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune from Aug. 1, 1953 through Dec. 31, 1987 who later developed one of the following eight diseases:

• Adult leukemia – Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes – bladder cancer – kidney cancer
• Liver cancer – Multiple myeloma – Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – Parkinson’s disease

Presently these conditions are the only ones for which there is sufficient scientific and medical evidence to support the creation of presumptions; however, VA will continue to review relevant information as it becomes available.

In accordance with the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law, VA provides cost-free health care for certain conditions to veterans who served at least 30 days of active duty at Camp Lejeune from Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987.

Qualifying health conditions include:

Veterans eligible for health care under the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law may enroll in VA health care and receive medical services for the 15 covered health conditions at no cost (including copayments).

A word of advice on this from the VFW: Consider holding off committing to any Camp Lejeune lawsuits until the VA publishes how the offset will affect your settlement and benefits. Never pay for claims assistance. Presumptive claims are straight-forward and easily handled by any VA accredited claims representative.

Blake Hyfield is the post service officer for the local VFW and American Legion posts. He can be reached at bhpegleg@yahoo.com.