WASHINGTON
– The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it plans
to propose expanded disability compensation eligibility for Veterans
exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Marine Corps
Base Camp Lejeune.
From
1953 to 1987, water sources at the base were contaminated with
industrial solvents that are correlated with certain health conditions.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald decided to propose
presumptions of service connection for certain conditions associated
with these chemical solvents following discussions between environmental
health experts at the Veterans Health Administration and the Department
of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR).
“The
water at Camp Lejeune was a hidden hazard, and it is only years later
that we know how dangerous it was,” said Secretary McDonald. “We thank
ATSDR for the thorough review that provided much of the evidence we
needed to fully compensate Veterans who develop one of the conditions
known to be related to exposure to the compounds in the drinking water.”
ATSDR
determined that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated
with perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, benzene and
other petroleum contaminants from leaking storage tanks from 1953 to
1987. ATSDR also determined that prolonged exposure to these chemicals
increases the risk of certain health conditions.
Based
upon VA’s review of current medical science and ATSDR’s findings,
Secretary McDonald intends to propose creation of a presumption of
service connection for the following conditions:
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Multiple Myeloma
- Scleroderma
- Parkinson's Disease
- Aplastic Anemia / Myelodysplastic Syndromes
The
Secretary’s proposal would also expand benefits eligibility to Reserve
and National Guard personnel who served at Camp Lejeune for any length
of time from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987. These
personnel would be presumed to have been exposed to the contaminated
water during their Reserve or National Guard service and, in appropriate
circumstances, to have been disabled by such exposure during service,
thus allowing them to qualify for VA benefits under the statutory
definition of “Veteran.”
This would make them eligible for VA disability compensation and
medical care for any of the presumptive conditions, and their surviving
dependents would be eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation
and burial benefits.
VA
is working on regulations that would establish these presumptions,
making it easier for affected Veterans to receive VA disability
compensation for these conditions. While VA cannot grant any benefit
claims based on the proposed presumption of service connection for these
conditions until it issues its final regulations, it encourages
Veterans who have a record of service at Camp Lejeune between August 1,
1953, and December 31, 1987, and develop a condition that they believe
is related to exposure to the drinking water at the base, to file a
disability compensation claim with VA.
VA
will continue to grant claims for disabilities claimed to be associated
with exposure to the contaminants that can be granted under current
regulations and review of the evidence in each case. If a claim for
service connection for one of the proposed presumptive conditions would
be denied under current regulations, the denial will be stayed until VA
issues its final regulations. VA will announce when the regulations are
final and presumptive benefits can begin to be awarded. For more
information on applying for these benefits, visit: http://benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-postservice-exposures-camp_lejeune_water.asp.
Veterans
who served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953,
and December 31, 1987, are already eligible to receive VA healthcare for
up to 15 health conditions. More information, including a full list of
covered conditions, can be found online at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/PUBLICHEALTH/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp.
Veterans can establish eligibility for healthcare benefits by submitting VA Form 10-10EZ online at www.1010ez.med.va.gov/, downloading it at www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/1010EZ-fillable.pdf
and returning it to any VA Medical Center or Clinic, or by calling
1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00
AM and 8:00 PM (Eastern Time).
VA
is reimbursing certain veterans’ family members for eligible
out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the 15 covered conditions.
More information can be found at: https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov
No comments:
Post a Comment