Dept. Of Veterans Affairs Begins Providing Compensation to Lejeune Veterans Affected by Tainted Water
Press Release
Today, a Department of Veteran's Affairs rule granting compensation to veterans suffering from illnesses caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune went into effect. Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more from 1953 to 1987 and are suffering from a service connected illness are now eligible to receive disability compensation.
"It has been a long fight for these veterans to get the compensation they deserve," said Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). "I want to thank Jerry Ensminger for his work on behalf of the Lejeune veterans and their families. These men and women sacrificed for our nation and have earned this care and support. I encourage all veterans who may be eligible for compensation to contact my office for assistance making a claim."
"I am thankful the day has finally come that veterans affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune begin receiving compensation," said Senator Tillis (R-NC). "This overdue justice is a result of persistence and hard-work by a number of people, and I would like to specifically thank Senator Burr and Jerry Ensminger for tirelessly advocating on behalf of the victims. As always, any veteran who has a problem receiving their compensation from the VA should contact my office."
The rule will provide compensation for veterans that served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) or more from 1953 to 1987. Service members suffering from the following eight diseases automatically qualify for compensation:
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Adult leukemia
Multiple myeloma
Parkinson's disease
Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Bladder cancer
The VA estimates that more than 900,000 service members could have been exposed to toxic water.
Senator Burr has worked tirelessly to secure the medical care and compensation for veterans affected by toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
In 2015, the VA granted disability status to victims of Camp Lejeune's poisoned water.
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