Veterans who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are now eligible for VA care and benefits if they have been diagnosed with any of 8 diseases: adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Parkinson disease. The presumption of service connection regulations went into effect March 14.
The newly effective rule complements the health care already provided for 15 illnesses or conditions as part of the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. The Camp Lejeune Act requires the VA to provide health care to veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and to reimburse family members or pay providers for medical expenses for those who lived there for ≥ 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
The act and new rule relate to 2 on-base water wells that were contaminated with trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, and other compounds. The wells were shut down in 1985.
The presumption of service connection applies to active-duty, reserve, and National Guard members. The presumption also includes all of Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River, as well as satellite camps and housing areas.
