Public Health
VA announces presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune Veterans
VA recently established a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with contaminants found in the early 1980’s at Camp Lejeune, the Marine Corps Base in Lejeune, NC. Two on-base water supply systems were contaminated with the volatile organic compounds trichloroethylene (TCE), a metal degreaser; perchloroethylene (PCE), a dry cleaning agent; benzene; and vinyl chloride.
Some Gulf War Veterans may have been stationed at Camp Lejeune. To be eligible for a presumptive service connection, Veterans must have served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and later developed one of the following eight conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Veterans eligible for presumptive service connection include former Reservists and National Guard members who were discharged on conditions other than dishonorable.
There are several ways for Veterans to seek benefits:
- File a claim online through www.va.gov. File under one of the presumed Camp Lejeune illnesses in the application. The application should include evidence of service at Camp Lejeune during the required timeframe, and medical evidence showing a diagnosis.
- Work with an accredited representative or agent. Find one at: https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp
- Go to a VA regional office and get assistance from a VA employee. Find the nearest office at: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division.asp?dnum=3
More information is at available at https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claims-postservice-exposures-camp-lejeune-water.asp or https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/. These resources also contain information about family member health care reimbursement.
