Legally Reviewed
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by Tort Defenders’ writers and staff and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney.
The water contamination that occurred at Camp Lejeune from 1953-1987 has been an ongoing legal battle since the first civil action was filed in 1999. Probing investigation showed the water was contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene and other chemicals from leaking fuel tanks, industrial activities on base, and waste disposal sites. An estimated 1 million Marines and family members living or working at Camp Lejeune during this period were exposed. Plaintiffs in the case allege the contamination caused various health problems, including leukemia, liver cancer, miscarriages and birth defects.
In 2012, President Obama signed The Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act to provide medical care to veterans and family members exposed to the water. By 2017, over 4,000 notices of intent were filed and joined together into a single claim. Although tentative settlements have been reached, the case awaits final approval and remains open, with additional settlements and legal action possible. Veterans groups continue to advocate for additional compensation for those impacted.
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Symptoms
Many former Marines and their families have claimed several adverse health effects from exposure to the contaminated water. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry confirmed links between exposure to this water and certain health conditions such as leukemia and Parkinson’s disease.
Studies have been conducted on adverse health effects caused by those who either worked with or drank water containing the same chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune. Although these populations weren’t present at the site in question, their symptoms and illnesses correlate with those of the service members and civilians who have filed reports.
Some of the key symptoms and health effects reported by those exposed at Camp Lejeune are:
- Reproductive issues: Abnormal pregnancies, miscarriages, and birth defects have been reported, especially neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.
- Kidney disease: Studies found an increased risk of kidney cancers and other renal issues.
- Parkinson’s disease: Although this is appearing later in life, the link to exposure has still been made.
- Neurological defects: Central nervous system issues and some developmental and learning disabilities in children have been associated with the contaminated water from Camp Lejeune.
- Liver disease: Chemicals in the water have been tied to abnormal liver function, cirrhosis, and other liver problems.
- Auto-immune diseases: Connections have been made between contamination exposure and increased lupus or other auto-immune disorders.
- Heart disease: Some types of heart disease may be more common in exposed individuals.
The toxic cocktail of chemicals in the water seems to have impacted many body systems and functions. However, cancers and reproductive or developmental issues remain prominently at the top of the list of reported health issues associated with the contamination. Ongoing research continues to uncover potential long-term health effects as more cases are brought to light and further investigations are conducted.
Injuries & Cancer Types Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Toxicity
Numerous scientific studies have probed the effects of chemical exposure on internal organs and the bloodstream. Connections have been established between exposure to industrial chemicals and solvents that contaminated the water and increased risk for certain cancers. Although it’s not a guarantee that every individual who was exposed will get cancer, there’s an increased risk compared to those who weren’t exposed. The frequency, amount, method, and duration of the exposure are also significant factors.
General health may also raise or lower the chance of having an injury or getting cancer as a result of exposure. As with any illness or disease, individual immune systems respond differently to the same foreign entity introduced to the body.
The strongest links found are with various types of leukemia, specifically adult leukemia and childhood leukemia. The chemical compounds and benzene derivatives found in the Camp Lejeune water are known carcinogens and seem to have specifically impacted particular sites in the body, evidenced by the pattern of certain cancer types in those exposed.
Other cancers that have shown probable correlation with the toxic water include:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
The diverse mix of volatile organic compounds, benzene, perchloroethylene and other toxins found in the water have had wide-ranging impacts on many body systems and functions. Beyond cancers, other conditions and injuries have also been associated with the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These include:
- Miscarriage
- Neural tube defects
- Cleft palate
- Hirschsprung’s disease
- Glomerulonephritis
- Alport syndrome
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Cognition and memory issues
- Infertility
- Pregnancy complications
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Heart disease
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Hepatic steatosis
VA Disability Benefits & Compensation
Because evidence has clearly linked the toxic exposure to increased incidences of certain diseases and cancers among those who lived and worked on base, certain benefits have been made available. The Department of Veterans Affairs has established rules for providing disability benefits and compensation to eligible veterans who have specific conditions connected to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune during their years of service.
The VA currently recognizes the following conditions as presumptively associated with the toxic water: kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, aplastic anemia, and other myelodysplastic syndromes. Veterans who spent at least 30 cumulative days stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 are able to file a claim for disability compensation if they have one of these conditions.
The amount of monthly disability compensation received by veterans depends on the VA’s assignment of a disability rating, which ranges from 0-100% based on the severity of the disability and its impact on functioning and employability. Higher ratings lead to greater compensation amounts. Veterans rated 100% disabled can receive over $3,000 per month. Additional allowances may be paid for eligible dependents, including spouses, children and dependent parents.
Besides monthly payments, disability compensation benefits may also include access to comprehensive VA health care, vocational rehabilitation services, aid with obtaining life insurance and eligibility for further programs assisting disabled veterans. Some states and localities also provide benefits to disabled veterans exempt from taxes.
How to Receive Disability Benefits
To receive disability benefits related to water contamination exposure, veterans need to file a claim with the VA through either an online application on eBenefits, an application in person at a VA regional office, or with assistance from a service representative with an accredited Veteran Service Organization. The claim must include service records documenting assignment to Camp Lejeune during the exposure period and thorough medical documentation that provides a diagnosis with evidence linking one of the presumptive conditions to the contaminated water.
Receiving VA disability compensation for a condition related to Camp Lejeune water contamination will not impact eligibility for most other VA benefits. However, concurrent receipt of VA disability pay and military retirement pay is restricted in some cases, requiring an offset of Department of Defense retirement pay by the amount of VA compensation. Retirees can elect which pay they’d like to receive on a monthly basis.
While veterans who meet service requirements and have eligible diseases can get VA disability pay and benefits, family members and civilian base employees impacted by the water are not eligible through the VA system. However, they may be able to file lawsuits or settle claims for compensation through other legal channels. Several class action settlements have already provided some compensation for civilians harmed by the toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune. Ongoing litigation efforts aim to expand the population eligible for payouts and increase settlement amounts.
VA disability benefits offer important compensation to veterans who have conditions scientifically linked to contaminated water exposure during their service at Camp Lejeune several decades ago. By establishing presumptive service-connected diseases, the VA aims to provide evidence-based benefits to impacted veterans, many of whom have long suffered health effects from the environmental hazards at Camp Lejeune.
Aftereffects of Camp Lejeune
The contamination had wide-ranging impacts on the health and lives of many Camp Lejeune veterans, family members and employees. Those affected have suffered as a result of the water contamination. Many struggle with chronic health issues and serious or even terminal diseases.
Providing disability compensation and medical care through the VA is one way the government has sought to offer some assistance to veterans who were harmed by the hazardous conditions at Camp Lejeune. However, many argue that additional actions should be taken to fully account for the hardships these veterans and families have faced. Some advocates argue the government has not gone far enough in accepting responsibility or providing care and compensation for those impacted over the years.
Ongoing activism efforts continue to push for expanding presumptive conditions eligible for VA benefits, as well as extending and increasing settlements offered to affected civilians. Achieving fuller justice remains complex even decades after the pollution occurred. Nevertheless, raising awareness and speaking out on behalf of those harmed by what happened at Camp Lejeune remains an important goal for many in ensuring better support for veterans and families dealing with the health effects of toxic exposure during their service.