While efforts continue to pursue accountability and assistance for civilian DOD employees who faced exposure at Camp Lejeune, there is at least a bit of momentum now for military members and their spouses/families. It has been over 2 years since the Janey Ensminger Act of 2012 was passed. Finally, the VA is starting to move in the direction of carrying it out.
A new section of the VA website has been opened for the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program. The page gives details on the specific types of health conditions that are covered under the program as well as parameters for how you might qualify for medical benefits or reimbursements.
Here’s the link: https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov/
Long overdue, at least this is a start. Much work is left to be done to correct decades of contamination, negligence, exposure and health impacts for over 1 million military and civilian personnel, spouses, families and children. Stay tuned.
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3 comments
Since high school, some few years after exposure, I have suffered from a constant escalating series of neurological malfunctions even diagnosed as epileptic initially and then as tumors then as this, then that. At any rate, I have suffered from a complete neuropathic disability and am bereft of any support or assistance save basic medicare which means I must continue to endure when others would be comfortably retired. In the past year I have sought out assistance to no avail. I have been informed there is supposed to be a list I should be registered on. Is this a place to start?
Hello David,
Thanks for your comment. The list to sign up for the USMC updates are at this link: https://clnr.hqi.usmc.mil/clwater/ . However, this is just to be updated on progress from the military, and notifications seem few and far between. It will not help you get any specific recourse, but it’s good to be on the list just the same. As for seeking assistance, the basic requirements are this. The law (H.R. 1627, now Public Law 112-154) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide health care to Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune and to reimburse eligible Camp Lejeune Family Members (CLFM) for eligible health care costs related to one or more of 15 specified illnesses or conditions illustrated in the list below.
Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
Esophageal cancer
Female infertility
Hepatic steatosis
Kidney cancer
Leukemia
Lung cancer
Miscarriage
Multiple myeloma
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Neurobehavioral effects
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Renal toxicity
Scleroderma
Further, if the Veteran was on active duty and served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987; AND you were the spouse or dependent of the Veteran during that same period; AND you lived (or were in utero) on Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987; THEN you may meet the criteria for VA’s Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.
Now, here’s the rub. Even when you submit, the VA has a “subject matter expert” panel that reviews your health condition and service connection claims to render decision on whether you should get this or not (although it should just be automatic). At present, almost 95% of all claims are denied at the VA. There’s a real problem with that process, and we’re not happy in the least bit about it (and are trying to do something about it), but this is where things stand right now. I wish I had more answers for you on this. I’ll see what I can find out at the next CAP meeting in August at the CDC. -GS
was put on the water program 2013 been 100% disable by social securty 2003 homebound. the investigation that put me on the ater was 8 books of evidence and a nexus done by a doctor with 40 years of experence of toxic chimical, internial medical, and disabibilty. he work on my case for a year saying he would not lie if he could find a link then he would but it would be hard and i could be loosing a lot of money. after a year he found the link. I got ut on the ater program because i had a lot of medical problems they told me I had free medical on all parts of my bodie. I have medical from front door including base next door. this lasted two months they hired a nurse to over see the program she pull me off the program but not by luejune just at the district level. I told he I woul start a investagation she said she would distore me and she has all medical the goverment paid i had to reapay for the years of the 2 year 2013/2014. Then she started with disability office putting in information that was not tru with all I had they held cp exam were allthe question were lies i rebuted it they did anouther one in a different state i did not know about still had lies. next day after 21/2 years I was aprove at 20% with just primary care as medical no other medical I get 2 see doctor 2 times a year. today I fell broke my back 3 fractors i can not see a doctor i did this may 17 of this year. I am a marine that serve his country I took the flag off my house and layed it in a chair. THE NURSE WON SHE IS A GOOD FOR THE ONE CAMP LEAJUNE PROGRAMS I CAMPLANE TO EVERY ONE THE UNION PROTECTS HIR AND HER JOB SO IF YOU GO TH BILOX MISS. PENSACOLA CLINIC AND GET ON THE BLACK LIST I WILL JUST BE ANOTHER DEAD VET. LOOK NOT SO FAR AWAY FROM NOW SEE IF MY NAME SHOWES UP IN LATER STORIES. IT COULD HAPPEN WITH MEDICAL ABUSE