Camp Lejeune Presumptive Service Connection
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has now established presumptive service connection for diseases that are associated to exposure with contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The presumption applies to active duty, reservists, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days (does not have to be consecutive days) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. The presumptive conditions are:
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Adult Leukemia
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Aplastic Anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
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Bladder Cancer
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Kidney Cancer
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Liver Cancer
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Multiple Myeloma
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Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
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Parkinson’s Disease
Veterans and family members are already eligible for certain medical care benefits; now Veterans can file a benefits claim for the presumptive conditions to become service connected for those conditions. To file a claim or if you have questions, please contact me.
Camp Lejeune Family Member Program
The Camp Lejeune Family Member Program is for family members of Veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune. From August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987, people living at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water. On August 6, 2012, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 was signed into law. This law requires the VA to provide health care to Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune and to reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune Family Members (CLFM) for eligible health care costs related to one or more of 15 specified illnesses or conditions:
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· 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 |
If the Veteran served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and you were a spouse or dependent of the Veteran at that time, then you may meet the criteria for the CLFM Program. You can apply online at https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov/App/StepApplicant or fill out a paper application and submit by mail, a CVSO can help you with this process. A family member will need proof of dependency and Camp Lejeune residency. If a family member has one of the illnesses or conditions, a physician’s form will also need to be filled out to possible reimbursement.
Traill County Veterans Service Office 