Marines & Families of Marines Take Note
October is Cancer Awareness month, so I thought discussing an issue that not all Marines and their families know about was warranted. Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune North Carolina has been linked to multiple medical conditions including various kinds of cancer. I was talking to Josh about some of his health issues he had been fighting for years. I did not put Josh’s time in the Marines and his illness together until I ran across the contaminated water issue at Lejeune while doing research for another project I was working on. It appears Marines and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune during a 34-year period had been exposed to contaminated water. I found out that Josh was stationed at Lejeune for his entire 4 years in the Corps. I talked to him about what I had discovered and that this could be a part of his medical issues and that he should check it out.
The years Marines and their family were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are from 1953 to 1987. As in the past with issues, it took 30 years for the Department of the Navy, Marines, and the VA to admit there was a major health problem concerning Marines and their families assigned to Lejeune. On January 13, 2017, congress gave the VA permission to issue a new rule creating a presumption that certain diseases are eligible for disability benefits. These benefit’s involves Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days (cumulative) between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and their families. For Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, we know what its like to have a presumptive issue. It’s no fun fighting the VA so be prepared to deal with a long, drawn out bureaucracy.
As we all know, families are not allowed to seek medical care at the VA. Families that served with their Marine at Camp Lejeune during the designated times need to be aware of the presumptive heath issues. By law, the VA can only compensate for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. After a family member has been diagnosed with a presumptive illness, other health plans have paid their part, the VA will pick up the out of pocket costs. It is important that the family members primary care physician know about Camp Lejeune and the possible illness linked to the time spent there. This includes the children who lived on the base during the timeframe. This rule is not the VA’s fault, its congress’. By law, only congress can approve the VA to see dependents even if the military is the cause of the illness.
Remember managing your expectations is imperative when dealing with the VA. It is not fair that the military placed you in the position you are in, but it is not the person’s fault who’s working with you either. When dealing with a bureaucracy like the VA, you can easily get frustrated and give up. Even if you do not trust the VA or like them, it is imperative you get on the Camp Lejeune contaminated water registry, if not for your health but for your family’s health. If you or your family were stationed at Camp Lejeune anytime from 1953 to 1987, please act. The instructions tell you to enroll on-line, I would go to the VA in person and get on the registry to ensure you get documentation.
VETERANS ENROLL IN VA HEALTH CARE
Go to the VA. Have your DD-214. If you have documentation of your service at Lejeune take it also.
Inform VA that you served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days anytime in the period of August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. If you are already enrolled contact your local VA health care facility at their website http://www.va.gov/ directory/guide/ to sign up for the Camp Lejeune Program and receive VA care.
Not yet enrolled? Apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction or call toll-free at 1-877-222-8387.
FAMILY MEMBERS GATHER DOCUMENTS
Show your relationship to a Veteran, such as a marriage license or birth certificate.
The VA will assist you with verifying residency on Camp Lejeune during the covered timeframe. GATHER QUALIFYING EXPENSE RECEIPTS
APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT
Apply online at https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov or call toll-free 1- 866-372-1144.
QUALIFYING HEALTH CONDITIONS INCLUDE:
Bladder cancer
Lung cancer
Hepatic steatosis
Breast cancer
Multiple myeloma
Miscarriage
Esophageal cancer
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Neurobehavioral effects
Kidney cancer
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Renal toxicity
Leukemia
Female infertility
Scleroderma
For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.