GREENSBURG, March 23, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will now recognize the presumptive service connection for eight diseases associated with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Veterans, former reservists, and former National Guard members who served no less than 30 days (either consecutively or nonconsecutively) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 are automatically entitled to veterans’ disability benefits, if and only if, they have been diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:
- Kidney cancer;
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
- Adult leukemia;
- Liver cancer;
- Bladder cancer;
- Multiple myeloma;
- Parkinson’s disease,
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes.
In admitting presumptive service connection, the VA acknowledges that these diseases were a direct result from contaminated drinking water, which contained trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene and vinyl chloride.
The final rule formally went into effect on March 14, 2017.
“By admitting – after years – that the water supply at Camp LeJeune was contaminated with caustic chemicals, and, acknowledging that at least eight conditions are directly related to service at Camp LeJeune, the VA is providing limited piece of mind to Veterans who served at this installation. Much like the VA’s evolving list of conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam and elsewhere, we believe additional conditions will be listed for presumptive status in future years.”
– Michael V. Quatrini, Esq.
Veterans of Camp LeJeune should be aware that claims for disability compensation are not limited to the conditions listed above. Additional conditions will be considered if supported by competent medical evidence.
For more about the Camp LeJeune water contamination, visit the following website:
https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/index.html
If you, or someone you know, suffers from any of the above medical conditions and formally served at Camp Lejeune, you could be entitled to (additional) benefits. Contact the offices of Quatrinini Rafferty at (888) 534-6016 to learn more about your right to these benefits. Michael Quatrini is one of the nation’s expert Veterans’ Disability attorneys. In 2016, Mr. Quatrini recovered more than $1.5 million in retroactive compensation benefits for veterans suffering from service-connected conditions, including Camp LeJeune.
Quatrinini Rafferty is a full service law firm with offices in Greensburg, Latrobe, and Pittsburgh. With 14 local lawyers, the firm specializes in workers’ compensation, personal injury, social security disability, bankruptcy, car accidents, estate planning, long-term disability, and veterans’ disability. The firm celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Find out more about Quatrinini Rafferty by visiting www.qrlegal.com.
