Press Release
♦ Department of Veterans Affairs has announced those victims exposed to Camp Lejeune water will receive disability benefits.
In 2012, the U.S. House approved the Janey Ensminger Act, which provides health benefits to Marines and family members exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The bill is named after the daughter Marine Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, who died from leukemia at age 9.
The VA announced on 3 Aug 2015 that they will begin the process of granting “presumptive disability” status to veterans who have certain cancers and conditions from long term exposure to the chemicals that contaminated the base water system from August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987.
The VA’s use of “presumptive status” means the benefit of the doubt goes to the veteran as long as VA determines they meet eligibility requirements.
On Aug. 19, VA representatives will convene with experts from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to start hammering out the scope of presumptions for Camp Lejeune veterans.
Veterans and family members who served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between Aug. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 may be eligible for VA health benefits for 15 conditions:
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· Esophageal cancer · Breast cancer · Kidney cancer · Multiple myeloma · Renal toxicity · Female infertility · Scleroderma · Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma |
· Lung cancer · Bladder cancer · Leukemia · Myelodysplastic syndromes · Hepatic steatosis · Miscarriage · Neurobehavioral effects |
– See more at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/index.asp#sthash.rcaApxRQ.dpuf
The U.S. Marine Corps encourages all those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune before 1987 to register for notifications regarding Camp Lejeune Historic Drinking Water at https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater.
For more information, Veterans and family members should contact the nearest VA healthcare facility by calling 1–877–222–VETS (8387).
See your Veteran Service Officer for details. In Rowan County they can be reached at 704-216-8138 or call the national VA hotline at 800-827-1000.
Rick Johnson
USAF RETIRED
http://rowancountyveterans.com/
Rowan County Veteran Services Officer
2727 Old Concord Rd, Salisbury NC 28146 (physical address)
130 West Innes Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 (mailing address)
Phone: 704-216-8139
Fax: 704-638-3059 Cell: 910-220-6456
Problems with the VA? Call (844) NC4-VETS (Toll Free)
Homeless Veteran? Call (877) 424-3838 (Toll Free)
