Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: VA Disability Benefits & How to File

From 1953 to 1987, the water supply at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina was contaminated with hazardous chemicals including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), trichloroethylene (TCE), and other toxic substances. Approximately 900,000 veterans and their family members were exposed.

The VA now recognizes Camp Lejeune water contamination exposure and awards presumptive service-connected benefits. This guide explains your eligibility and how to claim.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: Background

What Happened

The Camp Lejeune water supply was contaminated by:

• TCE (trichloroethylene): A degreaser used in metal manufacturing
• PCE (perchloroethylene): A dry-cleaning solvent
• Benzene: A volatile organic compound used in fuel
• Other VOCs: Vinyl chloride and other industrial chemicals

Contamination timeline:

• First identified: 1985 (Tarawa Terrace area)
• Closure of Hadnot Point water source: May 1985
• Investigation completed: 1987
• Estimated exposure: 1953-1987 (34+ years)

Contamination source:

The chemicals were released from:

• Military equipment maintenance areas
• An ABC One-hour Cleaners facility near base
• Leaking PCE from dry cleaning operations
• Industrial dumping
• Nearby off-base contamination sources

Health Impacts

Veterans exposed to Camp Lejeune water have reported:

• Multiple cancer diagnoses
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Aplastic anemia and other blood disorders
• Neurological conditions
• Reproductive issues
• Other serious health conditions

The VA now recognizes 8 presumptive conditions associated with Camp Lejeune exposure.

Who Is Eligible for Camp Lejeune Benefits?

You're eligible if you:

• Served at Camp Lejeune for 30 or more consecutive days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
• Are a former resident of Camp Lejeune housing during the same period

Important notes:

• Service doesn't need to be continuous (can have breaks)
• Even one day at Camp Lejeune during this period makes you eligible for presumptive conditions
• Timing is based on your actual service dates, not the contamination discovery date

How to Verify Your Service

Check your eligibility:

• Review your DD-214 (discharge papers)
• Look for "Camp Lejeune" in duty station listings
• Check service records for dates at Camp Lejeune
• Contact VA at 1-800-827-1000

VA has records of:

• All military personnel who served at Camp Lejeune
• Exact duty dates
• Duty locations on base
• Service verification

Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions

The VA recognizes these conditions as presumptively service-connected if you served at Camp Lejeune:

Presumptive Diseases (Diagnosed Anytime After Service)

1. Aplastic anemia or other myelodysplastic syndrome
2. Bladder cancer
3. Kidney cancer
4. Leukemia
5. Liver cancer
6. Lung cancer
7. Multiple myeloma
8. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Non-Presumptive but Potentially Service-Connected

You can also claim these with medical evidence of connection:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Neurological conditions

How to File a Camp Lejeune Benefits Claim

Step 1: Verify Your Service

Gather evidence of service:

• DD-214 with Camp Lejeune listed
• Military orders showing Camp Lejeune duty
• Service records with duty station
• VA records of service
• Buddy statements confirming your service

Check the official list:

• VA maintains database of Camp Lejeune personnel
• Call VA to verify you're on the list
• Most veterans are already in VA system

Step 2: Get a Diagnosis

You must have a current medical diagnosis:

• See VA doctor or private provider
• Get formal diagnosis of one of the presumptive conditions
• Request diagnosis documentation in writing
• Keep copies of all medical records

Important: You don't need a nexus letter for presumptive conditions, but having medical documentation of your diagnosis is essential.

Step 3: File Your Claim

File VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation):

Online (recommended):

• Go to VA.gov
• Click "File claim for benefits"
• Follow VA.gov instructions
• Fastest processing method

By mail:

• Complete VA Form 21-526EZ
• Mail to your VA regional office
• Include copy of DD-214
• Include medical documentation

In person:

• Visit VA regional office
• Bring DD-214 and medical records
• VSO representative can help file

Step 4: VA Reviews and Decides

Timeline:

• Initial review: 2-4 weeks (verify service)
• Medical review: 2-4 weeks (confirm diagnosis)
• Rating decision: 4-8 weeks total
• Some complex cases: 8-12 weeks

What VA checks:

• Service dates and location verification
• Whether dates qualify for presumptive conditions
• Current diagnosis of presumptive condition
• Your disability rating determination

Camp Lejeune Disability Ratings

Presumptive conditions are rated based on severity using standard VA rating criteria.

Cancer Ratings

During active treatment:

• Typically 100% during chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery
• Continues as long as receiving active treatment
• Monthly payment: $3,737

After treatment ends:

• 0% if no complications
• 10-60% if ongoing side effects or complications
• Can be higher if cancer metastasizes or returns

Blood Disorder Ratings

Aplastic anemia:

• 60% (moderate impact on blood counts)
• 100% if severe or requiring frequent transfusions
• Can be higher based on specific complications

Example: Bladder Cancer

Diagnosis: 2022 Treatment: Chemotherapy and surgery (2022-2023) Current status: Remission, but periodic monitoring

Rating:

• 100% during active treatment (2022-2023)
• 20% after treatment ends (follow-up care, monitoring)

Monthly benefits:

• During treatment: $3,737/month
• After treatment: $410/month

Retroactive benefits:

• Service-connected to diagnosis date (2022)
• If claim filed in 2024 = 2 years of retroactive pay (~$89,688)

Secondary Conditions from Camp Lejeune Exposure

If you have a presumptive Camp Lejeune condition, you can claim secondary conditions that develop from it.

Common Secondary Conditions

From cancer:

• Surgical complications
• Chemotherapy side effects (neuropathy, weakness)
• Radiation effects
• Depression/anxiety (psychological impact)
• Heart disease (from chemotherapy agents)
• Kidney disease (from chemotherapy)

From aplastic anemia:

• Infections (due to low white blood cell count)
• Bleeding complications (due to low platelets)
• Iron overload (from transfusions)

Filing Secondary Conditions

• File Supplemental Claim for secondary conditions
• Provide medical evidence linking secondary condition to primary Camp Lejeune condition
• Many secondary conditions may increase your overall rating significantly

Camp Lejeune Benefits Timeline

From Diagnosis to Claim Filing

Most veterans had no idea Camp Lejeune water was contaminated. When diagnosed with cancer or another illness, many don't initially connect it to Camp Lejeune exposure.

Timeline typically looks like:

• Service at Camp Lejeune: 1960-1965
• Disease diagnosis: 2015-2020 (decades later)
• Learn about Camp Lejeune contamination: 2020-2024
• File claim: 2024

Retroactive benefits:

• If you serve 1960-1965 and are diagnosed in 2020, but don't file until 2024
• VA may grant retroactive benefits from diagnosis date (2020) = 4 years of back pay
• For 100% cancer rating during treatment: ~$178,000 retroactive

Important Recent Changes (PACT Act)

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act expanded Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions and eligibility:

What changed:

• More conditions added to presumptive list
• Family members of exposed personnel also eligible
• Expanded the presumptive conditions list beyond original 8

Who benefits:

• Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune
• Spouses of Camp Lejeune exposed personnel
• Family members with documented exposure

Common Questions About Camp Lejeune Benefits

Do I need to prove the water caused my disease?

No. Presumptive conditions don't require proof of causation. Service at Camp Lejeune + diagnosis = presumptive service connection.

How far back can I get retroactive benefits?

Retroactive benefits can go back decades. If diagnosed in 2000 but file in 2024 = 24 years of back pay (if rating qualifies).

Example: Prostate cancer diagnosed 2000, filed 2024, 100% rating

• 24 years × $44,848/year = ~$1,076,352 in retroactive benefits

Can I claim multiple presumptive conditions?

Yes. If you have multiple Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions, they're combined using the VA rating formula. Total rating can be quite high.

My records are incomplete—can I still file?

Yes. The VA has its own records of Camp Lejeune personnel. You can file based on:

• Your testimony of service
• DD-214
• Buddy statements
• VA's own personnel records

What if I'm receiving disability from another condition?

You can claim Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions separately. They're added to your existing rating using the VA formula.

Filing Tips for Camp Lejeune Claims

Do this:

• ✓ File as soon as possible (retroactive benefits accumulate)
• ✓ Get medical diagnosis documented clearly
• ✓ Gather any Camp Lejeune service evidence (even old documents help)
• ✓ Use VA.gov to file (fastest processing)
• ✓ Work with VSO representative (they're familiar with Camp Lejeune)

Don't do this:

• ✗ Wait until you're certain about your diagnosis
• ✗ Assume you're not eligible without checking
• ✗ Delay filing thinking there's no rush
• ✗ Try to prove the water caused your disease (it's presumptive)

Key Takeaways

✓ Presumptive conditions don't require proof of causation ✓ 8 cancer/blood disorders are presumptively service-connected ✓ Eligible if you served at Camp Lejeune from 1953-1987 ✓ Even one day of service qualifies you for presumptive benefits ✓ Retroactive benefits can span decades since diagnosis ✓ 100% ratings possible during cancer treatment (=$3,737/month) ✓ File online at VA.gov for fastest processing ✓ Secondary conditions can increase your rating further ✓ No nexus letter needed for presumptive conditions ✓ Thousands of veterans still haven't filed for these benefits