What Is Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base in North Carolina where the water supply became contaminated with hazardous chemicals from 1953 to 1987. The contamination included trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. In 2022, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which gave veterans and family members who were stationed there during the contamination period access to VA healthcare and disability benefits for conditions presumed to be caused by the exposure.
How It Affects Your VA Disability Claim
If you served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between January 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, you may qualify for benefits without having to prove a direct connection between your service and your condition. The VA has designated 8 presumptive conditions linked to Camp Lejeune exposure:
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
A presumptive condition means the VA automatically assumes your illness is service-connected if you meet the eligibility criteria. You do not need to submit a nexus letter establishing causation, and you skip the burden of proving medical evidence linking your diagnosis to Camp Lejeune exposure. However, you still must file a VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits) and provide documentation of your service dates and your current diagnosis.
VA Ratings and Compensation
After the VA grants your presumptive condition as service-connected, a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examiner will evaluate the severity of your condition and assign a disability rating (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 100%). Your rating determines your monthly compensation. For example, a 50% rating for multiple myeloma currently pays $1,218 per month, while a 100% rating pays $3,798 per month (2024 rates). The examiner will use your medical records, imaging results, lab work, and clinical findings to determine the appropriate rating category.
Filing Your Claim and Appeals Process
You can file your Camp Lejeune claim through VA.gov, by mail, or with help from a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). A VSO can assist you at no cost and will ensure all required documentation is included. If the VA denies your claim or assigns a lower rating than you believe is appropriate, you have the right to appeal within one year of the decision letter. During an appeal, you can submit new medical evidence, request a higher-level review, or ask for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. Having medical records showing the date of diagnosis, test results confirming your condition, and a statement describing your symptoms will strengthen your case.
Common Questions
- Do I need a nexus letter for Camp Lejeune conditions? No. Presumptive conditions do not require a nexus letter because the VA already assumes the connection exists. However, if you have a condition not on the presumptive list but believe it was caused by the contamination, you would need to submit a nexus letter from a medical provider explaining the link.
- What counts as 30 days of service at Camp Lejeune? Consecutive or non-consecutive days on the base between January 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 count. You will need to provide military service records (DD Form 214 or equivalent) documenting your presence there during this window.
- Can I claim multiple presumptive conditions? Yes. If you have been diagnosed with more than one condition on the presumptive list, you can file separate claims for each. Each condition receives its own disability rating, and the VA combines them using a formula to determine your overall rating and compensation level.
Related Concepts
- Presumptive Condition - the legal framework allowing the VA to assume service connection without requiring direct proof of causation
- PACT Act - another law establishing presumptive conditions for veterans exposed to burn pits and Agent Orange