Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Presumptive Conditions

Up to one million military members and families have suffered from the effects of polluted water at Camp Lejeune.

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was founded in 1941 on 246-square-miles in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Photo: wikipedia

(SALEM, Ore.) - This information about Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Presumptive Conditions, including fast-track disability decisions and appeals, is important in light of recent legal changes.

All eligible veterans and certain family members who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days (cumulatively) between 1953 and 1987 are currently eligible for two benefits from the VA.

Veterans exposed to polluted waters at the base during the qualifying period are granted disability compensation for eight presumptive conditions; veterans and family members are granted health benefits or reimbursement for medical expenses for 15 conditions related to their service at Camp Lejeune.

What is A Presumptive Condition?

The Department of Veteran Affairs believes that a person's military service-related circumstances contribute to the disease. Diabetes type 2 and rheumatoid arthritis are frequent examples. Military personnel are eligible to receive non-taxable rewards as compensation.

A diagnosis must be made for a veteran's condition no later than one year after their release from the military for it to be presumptive. Furthermore, certain former members might be eligible for compensation for presumed illnesses.

Veterans of certain wars and prisoners of war, for instance, are eligible to fill out a VA disability claim form. However, individuals may be eligible if they were deployed to MCAS or Camp Lejeune.

What Are the 15 Requirements for Presumptive Medical Benefits?

1. Kidney cancer
2. Esophageal cancer
3. Bladder cancer
4. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
5. Scleroderma
6. Hepatic steatosis
7. Myelodysplastic Syndromes
8. Neurobehavioral effects
9. Lung Cancer
10. Miscarriage
11. Female infertility
12. Breast cancer
13. Renal toxicity
14. Leukemia
15. Multiple myeloma

The VA's list of eight presumptive conditions for disability benefits is shorter than its list for healthcare. Hopefully, the list of 8 conditions will expand to include all 15 conditions one day.

Additionally, the Lejeune presumptive conditions may widen to include other diseases, like other presumptive groups like Agent Orange and Gulf War Chronic Illnesses.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is still conducting morbidity studies on former marines, staff members, and dependents who drank toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

Even if you do not meet one of the eight criteria for disability, filing a claim for disability benefits with the VA is frequently easier if you have one (or more) presumptive condition for medical services.

Can Family Members Receive Medical Benefits?

Benefits for veterans' and service members' spouses, kids, and other relatives are permitted by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Health care coverage is available to Camp Lejeune's toxic water victims.

The program acknowledges the financial hardship a person experiences due to a military member's service. The system reimburses you for any expenses incurred from your account for treatment.

However, at least one of the following conditions must be addressed by medical care:

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

Veterans who pass away due to illness may be eligible for extra benefits for their surviving family members. Funeral costs might be covered in part by compensation.

The family must be able to show a connection to the deceased to qualify. They must also gather documentation proving they were stationed there between 1953 and 1987.

Source: Salem-News.com Special Features Dept.