VA Benefits for Exposure to Contaminated Waters at Camp Lejeune

Contaminated drinking water at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina put thousands of servicemembers working and living there from the 1950s to the 1980s at risk of serious health conditions. Specifically, everyone who resided at the camp from August 1st, 1953 to December 31st, 1987 were unknowingly using water that was contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other harsh chemicals.

As a result, Congress passed the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring Camp for Camp Lejeune Families Act in 2012. Under this legislation, veterans and their families who were exposed to the contaminated water are entitled to disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Act specifically provides healthcare benefits to veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune, along with family members who might also be eligible for healthcare benefits.

Medical Benefits for Family Members

The contamination of drinking water at Camp Lejeune didn’t just affect active servicemembers, but their families as well. If a servicemember’s family members were living on the base during the qualified period, they were likely drinking, cooking with, and bathing in toxic water and may have been exposed to serious health risks. These family members qualify for reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses related to 15 covered health conditions.

How Family Members Apply and Qualify for VA Medical Benefits

The first step to receiving reimbursement for costs incurred during the treatment of qualified conditions, veterans and family members must apply to the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program using VA Form 10-10068. Applicants must submit evidence of their eligibility for the program.

Family members of a veteran who qualify must submit evidence such as:

• A marriage license or birth certificate that shows a dependent relationship to the veteran who was stationed at Camp Lejeune;
• Proof of residency at the base for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31,1987 (i.e., base housing records, military orders, utility bills, tax forms);
• Medical records showing expenses for one of the qualifying conditions, respective to the following date ranges:
  • Dependents who lived at Camp Lejeune between January 1, 1957, and December 31, 1987, can be reimbursed for out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred on or after August 6, 2012
  • Dependents who lived at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1956, can have medical expenses reimbursed for care received on or after December 16, 2014
• VA Form 10-10068b: Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Treating Physician Report completed by a doctor.

If you resided at Camp Lejeune during the qualified period and were diagnosed with an adverse condition, call our office today to see if you qualify for VA benefits for exposure to contaminated waters at Camp Lejeune. Family members of veterans who stayed at Camp Lejeune must apply directly through local VAMC.