VA will further expand coverage for Vets and dependents exposed to polluted water at Camp Lejeune. Why did they wait so long??

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 21:36:43 -0500

"McDonald's proposal would also expand benefits eligibility to Reserve and National Guard personnel who served at Camp Lejeune for any length of time from Aug. 1, 1953, through Dec. 31, 1987 -- making them eligible for VA disability compensation and medical care for the aforementioned conditions, and their surviving dependents eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation and burial benefits, the department said."
Dec 17, 2015 | by Brendan McGarry

The Veterans Affairs Department on Thursday announced plans to expand disability coverage for veterans exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
For more than three decades, from 1953 to 1987, groundwater sources at the base were contaminated with industrial solvents leaking from underground storage tanks, according to the VA.
The pollutants included the dry-cleaning solvent perchloroethylene, degreaser trichloroethylene , petrochemical benzene, as well as vinyl chloride and dozens of other contaminants, the department said. Exposure to the solvents is linked to numerous health problems, from cancer to Parkinson's disease, it said.
"The water at Camp Lejeune was a hidden hazard, and it is only years later that we know how dangerous it was," Secretary Bob McDonald said in the release.
Navy and Marine Corps officials have downplayed the issue for years.
Speaking at a Sept. 14 event in Cleveland, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said water at the installation has long been safe to drink and blamed the original problem on a nearby dry cleaner, according to an article by Patricia Kime, a reporter for Military Times.
Mabus acknowledged "allegations that there is a higher incidence of illness with people who had gone through as Marines," but said studies conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry "can find no correlation," according to the article.
Interestingly, the VA said its decision came about as a result of discussions between environmental health experts at this agency, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Veterans Health Administration.
Lawmakers welcomed the VA's proposal.
"For decades, tens of thousands of service members and their families were potentially exposed to chemicals now connected to deadly cancers and other serious illnesses," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut and the ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said in a statement.
"Today's announcement that this exposure will qualify as service-connected is a critical first step toward providing disability compensation for men and women harmed in the line of duty," he added. "Generations of Marines, sailors and their families lived and worked at Camp Lejeune, and now the VA and Secretary McDonald must do everything in their power to expedite this regulation and conduct aggressive outreach to potentially-affected veterans."
Almost a million veterans, civilian employees, and their families were exposed to toxic drinking water at Lejeune, Blumenthal said. As of February, the VA had received 9,636 toxic water disability claims from Camp Lejeune veterans, denying 8,909 and granting 778, he said.
The VA currently provides benefits to veterans who served at Lejeune for 30 days or more between those 34 years, and were diagnosed with one or more of 15 health conditions, from esophageal cancer to renal toxicity to miscarriage.
McDonald proposed expanding coverage by creating "a presumption of service connection" for several conditions, including kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, scleroderma, Parkinson's disease, aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, the VA said.
McDonald's proposal would also expand benefits eligibility to Reserve and National Guard personnel who served at Camp Lejeune for any length of time from Aug. 1, 1953, through Dec. 31, 1987 -- making them eligible for VA disability compensation and medical care for the aforementioned conditions, and their surviving dependents eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation and burial benefits, the department said.
The VA won't grant any benefit claims based on the proposed presumption of service-connected disabilities until issuing final regulations at a later date. Even so, veterans who served at Lejeune during those years and who developed any of the conditions are urged to file a disability compensation claim by filling out Form 10-10EZ and submitting it online or at any VA medical center or clinic.

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/12/17/va-expand-coverage-for-vets-exposed-polluted-water-lejeune.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm

VA to Expand Coverage for Vets Exposed to Polluted Water at Lejeune

The Veterans Affairs Department announced plans to expand disability benefits for vets exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Dec 17 at 2015 10:06 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 22:06:22 -0500

We have to think of the typical government response: deny, deny, deny, until we actually have to take some responsibility. That way, personnel die, and they (and their survivors) don't have to be paid. Interesting that they are including the dependents on this one though. Maybe it was a lot worse than expected.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Dec 18 at 2015 2:48 AM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 02:48:40 -0500

1987... almost 19 years have passed. Thousands of Marines, Sailors, Dependents and Base Workers were exposed. The vast majority will never even know about this study and there will be people who have died or are terminally ill who were never taken care of or will never get care or compensation.

Response by LCpl Jim Pleace made Dec 29 at 2015 8:10 AM

LCpl Jim Pleace — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 08:10:31 -0500

Fear of liability perhaps. I served there for month in 1983 for Infantry Training School. Small exposure I know but now I know. Shame they're closing the window so quickly after admitting it.

Response by Maj David Moser made Dec 29 at 2015 8:27 AM

Maj David Moser — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 08:27:04 -0500

The longer they wait the fewer they will have to pay for. I don't think it is a conspiracy by the Federal Government, it's just the normal incompetence of the Federal Government.

Response by Sgt Mark Wilson made Dec 29 at 2015 10:45 AM

Sgt Mark Wilson — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 10:45:20 -0500

The drinking water on base housing was affected. That is why the dependents are being covered.

Response by Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns made Dec 29 at 2015 11:24 AM

Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 11:24:37 -0500

My guess is they may have wanted the bulk of those who served to die off and therefore not have to worry about spending the money. I not only served on Camp LeJeune but also Fort McClellan and hope that soon this same thing happens for who were poisoned there as well.

Response by Cpl Darryl Grist made Dec 29 at 2015 7:03 PM

Cpl Darryl Grist — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 19:03:08 -0500

I think it should even be extended its the 1990's cause it was strictly enforced not to drink the water then. All water was shipped in

Response by Sgt Vince P made Dec 29 at 2015 9:04 PM

Sgt Vince P — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 21:04:18 -0500

Well glad to hear they went back to 1953, my dad was stationed there when I was born in Feb 1954 and lived on base for about 18 months. Parent(s) said drank, cooked and bathed with the water not any wiser to the problem. At least the government is "taking" responsibility for the problems.

Response by Sgt Gary Steuer made Dec 29 at 2015 11:35 PM

Sgt Gary Steuer — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 23:35:21 -0500

Does this affect anyone who spent 30 days + at Camp Geiger for ITR after Parris Island in the year 1964?

Response by Pvt Kenneth Mayberry made Dec 30 at 2015 8:42 AM

Pvt Kenneth Mayberry — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 08:42:05 -0500

Because of the EPA and its cronies in the Government.

Response by Sgt Gary Steuer made Dec 31 at 2015 4:32 PM

Sgt Gary Steuer — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 16:32:34 -0500

If I am already at 100% + with the VA do I need to follow up with this and if I do is it better to contact the DAV with the information ? Thank you

Response by Cpl Robert Crockett made Jan 2 at 2016 6:24 PM

Cpl Robert Crockett — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 18:24:43 -0500

Unlike most areas of the government, the U.S. Military serves the nation and is the only part of the government that actually earns the budget given. I hope and pray that all the affected victims of this pollution can obtain just compensation.

Response by SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc made Jan 11 at 2016 11:13 AM

SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 11:13:07 -0500

Thanks for the thread, my mom served there for over a year in the early 70s and may have a possible condition stemming from it. Trying to get as much info and stay appraised to help her.

Response by Maj David Moser made Jan 14 at 2016 12:22 PM

Maj David Moser — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:22:25 -0500

I lived in TT-2 housing for three years (1977 - 1980) but so far haven't had any health problems. Maybe it is because I drank a lot more beer then water back then.

Response by LCpl Donald Hall made Jan 16 at 2016 1:37 PM

LCpl Donald Hall — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:37:02 -0500

Waited so long? takes time to develop like agent orange ; served about 1 year in early
70's ..before hitting RP, i started bleeding may 2015,had test,removed tumor from bladder
nov,dec found out low grade cancer, filled a lot of canteen there

Response by LCpl Donald Hall made Jan 16 at 2016 2:59 PM

LCpl Donald Hall — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 14:59:59 -0500

Thank You MSgt Ellis,Sir; for bring this to LIGHT for all Services that are affected
God Bless all of YOU semper fi

Response by Cpl Brent Saravia made Jan 16 at 2016 7:17 PM

Cpl Brent Saravia — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 19:17:44 -0500

It breaks down to discipline !! When I was on active duty in the Corps we had our discipline tight if we observed something out of line we fixed the Marine in question usually with a strenuous dressing down. The Marines mother although she loves her son, has no part in this. After all her son is not in the boy scouts he is a U.S. Marine and he has had worse believe me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2016 1:35 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Mar 2016 13:35:15 -0500

this should have been automatic if you where in the registery

Response by Cpl Edward Allen made Dec 27 at 2021 2:38 PM

Cpl Edward Allen — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 14:38:16 -0500

I would like to add a bit of personal history. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune from early '73 to late '73. Somewhere in 2016 or 2017 I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. The care I received at the VA Medical Facility in Fresno, CA was top notch at the very least. I only found out about this water problem just two months ago from a very close friend, and I started my research. There has never been a case of any type of cancer in my family, either side, so I always wondered how I got this cancer. With the expert help from the Veteran's Service Officer in Madera, CA, they filed a claim on my behalf. It was explained to me that the 100% disability would only be in effect WHILE I was being treated for the bladder cancer, but my Urologist told me this was my new life-style, so the effort is well worth it. Fairly quickly (for the Military) I was notified that my claim had been received, a claim number had been assigned, BUT, they needed more information from me. It seems that I have the burden of proving that I was actually stationed at Camp Lejeune, where I was on that Base, and for how long I remained on that Base. So I have submitted two requests for personal military history records, and now play the waiting game. I only have 30 days to comply. Two things bother me. First and foremost, WHY didn't the Military notify me of the water problem when I was first diagnosed with the bladder cancer? Secondly, why do I need to prove this? This is the Military, they have ALL my records, so why can't they connect the dots? Just a couple of thoughts in passing. If the VA paid me retroactively at 100% back to the date of diagnosis, that would amount to almost $200K. If an attorney was involved, they could probably sue for compensation dating back to the date of contraction. Just thoughts....
I would be glad to help where I can, along this journey, if any Brother or Sister needs it.