U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is an east coast military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. It’s currently part of a combined installation with Marine Corps Air Station New River. The training facilities are situated on miles of beach between the deep water ports Morehead City and Wilmington. The base is home to Marine expeditionary forces and other units.

Between the early 1950s and late 1980s, individuals at MCB camp Lejeune were exposed to toxic chemicals in drinking water in both the residential and training areas. Veterans who were present at Camp Lejeune during this time period who later developed specific diseases may be eligible for disability compensation.

2022 Update: Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022

The most recent update on Camp Lejeune support has come in the form of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022, which was signed into law by the President on August 8, 2022. This bill offers benefits to Veterans of Camp Lejeune in through the following section:

“An individual, including a veteran (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code), or the legal representative of such an individual, who resided, worked, or was otherwise exposed (including in utero exposure) for not less than 30 days during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on December 31, 1987, to water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, that was supplied by, or on behalf of, the United States may bring an action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina to obtain appropriate relief for harm that was caused by exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune.”

section 804: Federal Cause of Action Relating to Water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Our lawyers are here to help Camp Lejeune Veterans and their families get the compensation they deserve. If you or your family were affected by the water at Camp Lejeune, contact us today for assistance.

Diagnosed Conditions Found from Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Beyond the conditions that the VA explicitly lists for VA Benefit qualifications, many exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (veteran’s family included) also experienced the following conditions which may quality for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit eligibility under the Honoring Our PACT Act.

  • Aplastic anemia
  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Female infertility
  • Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)
  • Kidney cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Liver cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Miscarriage
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Renal toxicity
  • Scleroderma
  • Cardiac defects
  • End stage renal disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Oral cleft defect
  • Soft tissue sarcoma

Camp LeJeune Water Contamination Explained

Over 1 million military personnel and their family members were stationed at the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987. 

During this time, the people living on the base, military service members, and civilians, ingested contaminated drinking water and bathed in water that had been contaminated with chemicals from the base water treatment facilities and an off-base dry cleaning company in the local area

The Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point water treatment plants were among those in question. Personnel were exposed to over 3,000 times the safe exposure limits of toxic chemicals.

How Did these Contaminants Get into the Water?

The primary contamination sources were from leaking storage tanks and industrial activities. It is estimated that the contaminants were in the water supply from the mid-1950’s until February 1985. 

What Were the Contaminants at Camp Lejeune?

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are the chemicals that caused the contamination. There were two main VOCs initially identified in Camp Lejeune’s water supply, a dry cleaning solvent, and a degreaser. 

However, later studies showed that there were upwards of 70 other chemicals in the water that caused health risks.

The most prevalent and health-hazardous contaminants found were:

  • Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene
  • Benzene
  • Toluene
  • Vinyl Chloride
  • Other Contaminants

Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene

Studies show that TCE and PCE can raise the risk of several cancers, including kidney and liver cancers and some support for Hodgkin’s disease and non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

There is also a possible association of cervical cancer with TCE exposure. Some data suggest associations between TCE exposure and multiple myeloma and prostate, laryngeal, and colon cancers

There is support for an association between dry cleaning and laundry work (which typically utilize TCE and PCE) and kidney, pancreatic, cervical, esophageal, and lung cancers, and some support for bladder, prostate and colon cancers.

Benzene

Benzene is listed as a carcinogen, and typically promotes both  acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as well as multiple myeloma  and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Toluene

Studies of workers exposed to toluene show an increase in cancer of the lung, breast,  esophagus, stomach, colon, and especially the Rectum. 

In addition, increases in lymphosarcoma, lympholeukaemia and Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma have been seen in workers exposed to toluene.

Vinyl Chloride

I’ve discussed vinyl chloride in burn pits and its relation to cancer in previous posts. Exposure to vinyl chloride can cause up to five times higher rates of liver cancer, angiosarcoma, and lung cancer.

Other Contaminants

While the above toxins were measured in the highest quantities in the water at camp Lejeune, many other toxins were measured that are highly carcinogenic. 

Some of these include heavy metals, pesticides, assorted  polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and others. If there is no research connecting your particular cancer to exposure from the above toxins, there still may be research to support a connection.

Is the Water at Camp Lejeune Safe to Drink Now?

According to the United States Marine Corps, the water at Camp Lejeune is safe to drink today. The water around the base has been checked quarterly, and has been found to be contaminate free since March 1987.

camp lejeune veteran presumptive conditions for va benefits

What Presumptive Conditions are Eligible for Benefits?

Veteran Presumptive Conditions for VA Benefits

The following eight conditions are considered presumptive for veterans (including reservists and National Guard) who were stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for a minimum of 30 days. 

  1. Adult leukemia
  2. Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  3. Bladder cancer
  4. Kidney cancer
  5. Liver cancer
  6. Multiple myeloma
  7. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  8. Parkinson’s disease

Presumptive means the veteran only needs to prove being stationed at Camp Lejeune during the timeframes noted and for the minimum number of days to receive disability benefits by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

camp lejeune water contamination

Although there does not need to be evidence of an in-service injury, treatment, or condition,  A veteran does need to have a current diagnosis of one of the presumptive conditions to file a claim.

Presumptive Conditions for Healthcare for Veterans and Family Members

affected camp lejeune family members eligible criteria

In accordance with the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law, Veterans and family members can also receive free healthcare for 15 additional presumptive conditions. 

These health problems and conditions do not qualify for presumptive disability compensation, although veterans with the following health conditions are encouraged to file a claim even if the condition is not presumptive due to the links to the toxins. 

The conditions include:

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

If family members who have the above conditions related to their stay at Camp Lejeune and have had past out-of-pocket costs due to medical care (not covered by healthcare such as co-pays or deductibles), they may also be eligible for reimbursement by the VA (family members only). Camp Lejeune diabetes related cases are also considered for reimbursement.

family members looking for medical expense reimbursements for camp Lejeune contamination

Qualifying family members include:

  • Those whose sponsor (the qualifying veteran) was on active duty and served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
  • The spouse or dependent of the veteran during the same period 
  • Those who lived on the base for 30 days or more between the same dates. 

This includes the infants born of women pregnant on the base during this period (in-utero benefits).

There are eight presumptive conditions for disability compensation for Camp Lejeune veterans. They are:

  1. Adult leukemia
  2. Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  3. Bladder cancer
  4. Kidney cancer
  5. Liver cancer
  6. Multiple myeloma
  7. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  8. Parkinson’s disease

What Does This Mean for Veterans and their Families?

The VA Rule 38 CFR 3 effective March 14, 2017 (final rule), added certain presumptive diseases associated with the contaminants associated with Camp Lejeune. The rule also includes former reservists and National Guard members who were at the base for no less than 30 days during the presumptive period.

Camp Geiger Camp Johnson/ Montford Point Tarawa Terrace Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Stone Bay Rifle Range Holcomb Boulevard Hadnot Point Paradise Point GreaterSandy Run Camp Lejeune OnslowBeach MCAS New River JACKSONVILLE

MCAS New River

New River is known for their aircrew training for Marine Corps helicopters. If you trained here, you could have been exposed to contaminated water.

See if You Qualify

MCAS New River

The Marine Corps Air Station New River started as an auxiliary airfield but has evolved to become home to over 6,000 active duty marines and over 9,000 retired marines, family members, and civilians.  New River is known for their aircrew training for Marine Corps helicopters, contains the largest helicopter base on the East coast, and also currently houses the best of the best Marine aircraft including the V-22 Osprey.

Camp Geiger

If you were in infantry training and drank the water at Camp Geiger, current disabilities may be because of contaminated water.

See if You Qualify

Camp Geiger

Camp Geiger was the first portion of the Lejeune base to be built.  In its beginning years it was known as Tent Camp, as it  was primarily made of tents that housed the 1st Marine Division.  Much has changed since those early years, but the base’s Chapel still stands to this day.  Camp Geiger hosts the US Marine Corps School of Infantry East and trains thousands of Marines every year, both infantry and non-infantry.

Camp Johnson / Montford Point

If you trained at Montford point / Camp Johnson, you were using a water distribution system that may have been contaminated.

See if You Qualify

Montford Point/Camp Johnson

Camp Johnson was originally named Montford Point and was a segregated base for African American Marines until 1949.  In World War II, 19,168 African American Marines were recorded as serving and all of them trained at Montford Point.  This base housed the 51st and 52nd Defense Battalions, 11 ammunition companies, and 51 depot companies.  In 1974 Montford Point was renamed Camp Johnson in recognition of Gilbert Johnson, an African American drill instructor who was promoted to Sergeant Major.

Tarawa Terrace / Camp Knox

Maximum PCE level detected in drinking water was 215 ppb (1985), and was a main source of contaminated water wells. Water was mainly supplied from the Tarawa Terrace water distribution plant.

See if You Qualify

Tarawa Terrace/Camp Knox

Tarawa Terrace was added to Camp Lejeune in 1951 as a housing area for noncommissioned officers.  The area was split into two zones that housed around 6,000 Marines and their families and also contains an elementary school, post office, supermarket, and other amenities.  Tarawa Terrace’s water-treatment plant supplied water to Tarawa Terrace family housing and Knox trailer park until it was shut down in 1987.

Camp Knox was a trailer park that provided singlewide trailers as housing to marines and their families.  This portion of base housing was adjacent to an outdoor burn dump.  This trailer park has closed.

Stone Bay/Rifle Range

The rifle range contained water distribution systems sourcing water from the main distribution plants proven to contain contaminated water.  Marines who drank water at this part of the base may have been exposed to harmful toxins.

See if You Qualify

Stone Bay/Rifle Range

Stone Bay is home to barracks, warehouses, family housing, and the shooting ranges where Camp Lejeune Marines qualify for their shooting badges.  There is a long sniper range, two pistol ranges, and three rifle ranges.  Stone Bay has been helping Marines obtain proficiency in shooting for so long that it is eligible to be on the National Register of historic Places.

Holcomb Boulevard

Holcomb Boulevard water plant served family housing at Midway Park, Paradise Point, Berkeley Manor, and Watkins Village.

Contaminated water from the Hadnot Point plant supplied water to these areas when the Holcomb Boulevard plant was shut down in 1985.

See if You Qualify

Holcomb Boulevard

Holcomb Boulevard is a street within Camp Lejeune.  It contains the Main Gate, Reception Center, Visitor Center, Commissary, Barber Shop, Harriotte B. Smith Library, and Legal Office.  The Holcomb Boulevard water treatment plant supplied water to family housing in Paradise Point, Berkeley Manor, Watkins Village, and Midway Park, and then to Tarawa Terrace family housing after their own water treatment plant closed in 1987.

Hadnot Point

The Hadnot Point water distribution plant served the Mainside barracks, Hospital Point family housing, and family housing at Midway Park, Paradise Point, and Berkeley Manor until June 1972.

Maximum TCE levels detected were 1,400 ppb

Many other toxins (PCE, DCE, Benzene, vinyl chloride) were also found.

See if You Qualify

Hadnot Point

Hadnot Point was built for the 1st Marine Division.  By 1942 the base’s capacity was 42,000 Marines and family members.  This area holds barracks, Post Headquarters, Division Headquarters, supply facilities, a naval hospital, and other facilities and amenities.  The Hadnot Point water treatment plant served family housing for Hospital Point, Midway Park, Paradise Point, and Berkeley Manor, and the Mainside barracks.

Paradise Point

Paradise Point was affected by the contaminated water from both Hadnot Point and Holcomb Boulevard (mainly after HB was shut down).

See if You Qualify

Paradise Point

Paradise Point is the primary officer’s housing area, which consists of around 500 homes.

Within the Coverage Area

Most areas of the base were provided water from one of 3 main water distribution plants, which were contaminated with harmful toxins (PCE, TCE, DCE, vinyl chloride, and benzene). See if you qualify for compensation.

See if You Qualify

Camp Lejeune – All other areas

Most areas in Camp Lejeune were affected by contaminated water from one of the main water distribution plants.

If you were present at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953-1987, you may be eligible for compensation.

While there are no provisions for the seven conditions that are not presumptive for veterans for disability compensation, that does not mean that veterans should not file a claim for compensation. 

The difference is that there will need to be medical evidence to show a link to the disability and the exposure to the toxins, which is not required for the 8 presumptive conditions. 

Claims filed within one year of the rule or pending will, according to the VA, have an effective date of the ruling or the date of claim, whichever is earlier. Therefore, if a veteran files a claim before March 13, 2018, the effective date of their claim will be retroactive back to March 14, 2017.

Tips for Filing & Additional Resources

For veterans filing for VA benefits under presumptive conditions related to Camp Lejeune water contamination it is important to have the following evidence to support your claim:

  • Service personnel records (i.e., establishing that you served at Camp Lejeune during the specified period)
  • VA medical records
  • Compensation & Pension exam results
  • Private medical records
  • Lay statements

For family members looking for reimbursements related to medical expenses, the VA recommends you have the following evidence to submit with your application:

  • Documentation showing dependent relationship to a Veteran who served at Camp Lejeune, such as marriage license or birth certificate
  • Documentation showing you lived on the base for 30 days or more between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 such as copies of orders or base housing records
  • You paid health care expenses for a covered condition respective to the following date ranges.
    • If you lived on Camp Lejeune between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987, then you can be reimbursed for care that you received on or after August 6, 2012
    • If you lived on Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1956, then you can be reimbursed for care that you received on or after December 16, 2014

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