Health Issues Related to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
CAMP LEJEUNE Veteran and Family Health & Disability Benefits In the 1980s, contaminants were found in several wells that provided drinking water at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The contaminants included the volatile organic compounds trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, benzene, and other compounds. The primary sources of this contamination were on-base leaking storage tanks and industrial activities, and an off-base dry cleaner. It is estimated that the contaminants were in the water supply from the mid-1950s until February 1985, when the wells were shut down. Benefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans and family members include health care for 15 conditions listed in the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. In addition, Veterans can receive disability and health care benefits for eight presumptive disease conditions associated with contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune. Veterans, National Guard and reserve members, and family members who lived on the base for at least 30 days (cumulative), between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 are eligible. The Camp Lejeune Act of 2012 provides health care and health care funding assistance to Veterans and family members who lived on Camp Lejeune, meet the time-on-station and service date requirements, and have one of the covered conditions. Qualifying Health Conditions: •Bladder cancer •Breast cancer •Esophageal cancer •Female infertility •Hepatic steatosis •Kidney cancer •Leukemia •Lung cancer •Miscarriage •Multiple myeloma •Myelodysplastic syndromes •Neurobehavioral effects •Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma •Renal toxicity •Scleroderma Veterans eligible for health care under the Camp Lejeune Act of 2012 may enroll in VA health care and receive medical services for any of the 15 covered health conditions, and eight disability conditions at no cost. To enroll in VA health care, apply at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/ or call 1-877-222-8387 for help. Inform VA staff that you served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the covered time period. For information call VA Health Care 1-877-222-8387 VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000 Camp Lujune Family Health Care 1-866-372-1144 The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a presumption of service connection for eight conditions associated with exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C. These conditions were determined after a review of scientific and medical literature on health effects related to the contaminants of concern at Camp Lejeune. The presumption applies to active duty, reserve, and National Guard members exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and who later developed one or more of the following eight conditions:
Presently, these are the conditions for which VA has determined there is sufficient scientific and medical evidence to support presumptive service connection; however, VA will continue to review relevant information on other conditions as it becomes available. If a Veteran is diagnosed with one of these conditions, VA presumes that his/her Camp Lejeune service caused the condition, and disability compensation can be awarded. For more information on how to apply and for tips on making sure your claim is ready to be processed by VA, visit the VA How to Apply page at https://explore.va.gov/ disability-compensation
Page Last Updated: Jun 18, 2019 (18:46:30)
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