Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Camp Lejeune VA Benefits Attorney in South Portland, ME

The U.S. government had claimed responsibility for the decades-long poisoning of service members and their families at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The legislation now includes nine diseases that make you presumptively qualified for disability compensation – but if you have a different, unlisted condition, you can still seek compensation. The only difference between these non-listed ailments is that you must prove that your condition was caused by your military service–in this case, chemical exposures at Camp LeJeune.

In this Jacksonville, NC training facility, individuals who served from the period of the early 50s to the late 60s have been exposed to toxic chemicals in their drinking water. 

If you served at the USMC Base Camp Lejeune during this period, you may be entitled to disability compensation. Get in touch with our experienced Camp Lejeune VA Benefits Attorney to discuss your case. The first consultation is free so we can help you determine whether or not you are eligible for compensation. 

What Exactly Went on in Camp Lejeune?

Between 1953 and 1987, over a million personnel and their families were in US MCB (US Marine Corps Base) Camp Lejeune. During this period, everyone on the base, whether civilian or military service member, bathed and drank water contaminated with chemicals from a nearby dry cleaning company and the water treatment facilities in the base itself. Those in question included Hadnot Point and the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plants. Personnel were exposed to harmful substances at levels that exceeded the acceptable exposure limits by almost 3,000 times.

The truth regarding groundwater poisoning has finally been revealed after years of denial. Marine Corps veterans and their families bathed, ate, and washed their clothes in contaminated water at Camp LeJeune for more than three decades. The water had quantities of volatile organic compounds that ranged from 240 to 3,400 times safe. Among the 70 substances were perchloroethylene (PCE), a dry cleaning solvent, and trichloroethylene, a degreaser (TCE).

If you need help applying for benefits, our trusted military benefits attorneys can help  you. Call us for a free consultation to determine whether you are medically eligible to apply for benefits. 

How Does Veteran Affairs Health Care Work for Camp Lejeune Veterans?

There are two categories of presumptive conditions for victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination. 

1. Presumptive for disability compensation
2. Presumptive for healthcare for veterans and family members

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers eligible veterans, who have served at Camp Lejeune, different health care options whether or not they have a service connection. A veteran who has any of the presumptive conditions can have their health care covered. If a veteran does not have any of the listed conditions AND service-connection is not determined, they can still co-pay, however VA makes health care available. 

If you have any questions on veterans benefits, our VA disability compensation lawyers are at your service. We can ensure you understand the pertinent legalese so you can make an informed decision. 

Presumptive Disability Compensation due to Contaminated Water

There are eight conditions that are presumed to have a service connection. In other words, the Veterans Affairs department presumes that these disabilities are caused by military service. In order to receive disability benefits, a veteran needs to prove that:

1. They are veterans (including National Guard and reservists);
2. They were stationed at Camp Lejeune;
3. They were stationed there between the dates of August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987; 
4. They served there for a minimum of 30 days; and
5. They have a current diagnosis on any of the following: 

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

If you think you are eligible for VA disability benefits from your service at Camp Lejeune, get in touch with us. Our trusted South Portland VA disability benefits attorney can help you through the paperwork and legalese to get you the benefits you deserve. 

Presumptive for Healthcare for Veterans and Family Members

There are 15 more presumptive conditions that veterans and their families can avail free health care for through VA. The conditions are: 

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

These conditions do not make them eligible for disability benefits through presumptive disability compensation. However, if you are a veteran with any of the conditions listed below, we encourage you to file a claim because these conditions are still connected to the toxins. Call our South Portland office to schedule a consultation with our skilled disability benefits attorney!

Reimbursement for Medical Bills of Camp Lejeune Veterans and their Family Members

Family members can have their out-of-pocket medical care expenses reimbursed if it is determined they suffer the listed illnesses that resulted from the Camp Lejeune water contamination. 

A family member is eligible for reimbursement if:

1. The sponsor (AKA the qualifying veteran) was on active duty and served on Camp Lejeune;
2. The sponsor was stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987;
3. The sponsor was stationed for 30 days;
4. The applicant for reimbursement was a spouse or dependent who lived for at least 30 days during the stated period. 

Feel free to contact our law office to ask a qualified Camp Lejeune VA compensation attorney. We are dedicated to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. 

What if My Condition is Not Considered a Presumptive Condition?

Many disabled veterans have been misled into thinking that if their condition has not been listed, they cannot apply for disability compensation. However, our competent veterans disability lawyer can help you recover compensation for any conditions you may have incurred during your service at Camp Lejeune. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with our Camp Lejeune VA Benefits Attorney

If you are unsure whether you qualify for VA disability benefits from your service at Camp Lejeune, get in touch with us to review your case. We have experts who can take into account your service records and medical records to determine whether the Camp Lejeune incident is related to your diagnosis.

At Jackson & MacNichol, we represent US veterans and can help you if you’re interested in a consultation before filing your claim. Our attorneys have assisted many to receive their veterans benefits and lessen the suffering brought about by their medical condition. We provide professional legal counsel to help you navigate the complexities of the VA disability compensations process to determine your eligibility.

Don’t wait any longer. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with our respected  Camp Lejeune VA Benefits Attorney.