The health of our nation’s veterans is paramount and any condition that might compromise it is a serious concern.
Unfortunately, for those who served for at least 30 days total at either the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in New River, North Carolina, between 1953 and 1987, the various chemicals contaminating the water pose a significant health threat.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged the link between the decades-long water contamination at Camp Lejeune and certain diseases and birth defects that subsequently emerged among veterans and their families. However, many servicemembers who were impacted by this contamination are still unaware of the connection between their conditions and their military service.
Here, then, are some of the diseases and other health issues related to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. If a veteran served during the relevant period at Camp Lejeune and was diagnosed with one of these conditions, the VA presumes the condition is related to service and the veteran can obtain service-connected disability benefits by filing a claim:
- Cancer
- The most-reported health condition related to Camp Lejeune water contamination is cancer. According to the VA, those exposed to the water are at an increased risk for adult leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Parkinson’s disease
Additionally, if a veteran served during the relevant period at Camp Lejeune and was diagnosed with one of the following conditions, the veteran may be eligible to enroll in VA health care. The VA will not automatically award service-connection for these conditions but, with sufficient medical evidence, a veteran can still file a claim for service-connection for these conditions:
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
Benefits for family members
Certain family members may also be eligible for VA benefits if they lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, North Carolina for at least 30 days total between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and have one of the conditions listed above,. One veteran, retired Marine Corp Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, lost his daughter to leukemia in 1985, while stationed at Camp Lejeune. For years, Ensminger tried to find out if there was any link between his child’s death and the contaminated water. Eventually, he learned there was – and he has since become a vocal advocate for veterans’ rights and the victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Vets National for help with your Camp Lejeune claim
If you are a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune and are looking to file a claim or have a denied claim, contact Vets National. We’re committed to supporting veterans and their families, and we can provide the information and resources you need to navigate the aftermath of Camp Lejeune water contamination. Contact us today to learn more.
