Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Lawyers for Veterans

Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, thousands of service members and their families stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina were unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals through contaminated drinking water. This prolonged exposure has been linked to a wide range of serious, life-altering health conditions, including various cancers, neurological disorders, and reproductive issues.

Despite legislative progress and growing public awareness, many Veterans and their families continue to face obstacles in receiving the disability benefits they’ve earned. Claims may be denied, delayed, or undervalued due to the complexity of proving exposure and linking it to service-connected health problems. Legal representation can play a vital role in overcoming these challenges.

Veterans Law Group focuses exclusively on VA disability appeals. We help Veterans affected by Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River water contamination navigate the claims process, fight unjust denials, and pursue the compensation and care they are entitled to under the law.

Understanding the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Crisis

Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, two primary water supply systems at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River were contaminated with toxic chemicals. These included:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE): A metal degreaser linked to kidney cancer and other organ damage
• Perchloroethylene (PCE): A dry-cleaning solvent associated with bladder cancer and neurological disorders
• Benzene: A known carcinogen associated with leukemia and other blood cancers
• Vinyl chloride: A chemical used in manufacturing plastics, linked to liver cancer

These contaminants entered the base’s drinking water from leaking underground storage tanks, industrial spills, and waste disposal practices. Many service members, civilian employees, and their families consumed this water daily—bathing in it, cooking with it, and drinking it—often unaware of the health risks.

The contamination levels in some cases were hundreds of times higher than safety standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The full scope of the health impact continues to unfold decades later.

Who Was Affected by Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Water Contamination?

The contamination affected anyone who lived or worked on base for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. This includes:

• Active duty Marines and sailors
• National Guard and reservists
• Civilian employees
• Family members living in base housing
• In utero children of pregnant women stationed on base

Even those who were not ill during their service years may now be experiencing health conditions linked to exposure. The latency period for many Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River-related illnesses can span decades, complicating early diagnosis and timely claims.

Conditions Linked to Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Water Exposure

The VA recognizes several conditions as presumptively service-connected for Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River during the contamination period. This means Veterans do not need to prove a direct medical link between their condition and their military service—exposure is presumed if they meet time and location requirements.

Presumptive Conditions for Veterans

• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Adult leukemia
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes

Other Conditions Potentially Linked to Exposure

Though not presumptive, the following may still qualify for benefits with sufficient supporting evidence:

• 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

Why Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Claims Are Often Denied or Undervalued

Despite clear evidence of contamination and VA acknowledgment of its dangers, many Veterans still face hurdles in obtaining fair benefits. Common obstacles include:

Misunderstanding Eligibility Requirements

Some claims are denied simply because the Veteran or survivor cannot demonstrate they lived or served at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River during the qualifying period. Others may be unaware that cumulative exposure time across multiple visits can meet the 30-day threshold.

Lack of Medical Documentation

Even presumptive claims require evidence of diagnosis and symptom impact. If medical records are incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent, the VA may assign a lower disability rating—or deny the claim altogether.

Non-Presumptive Condition Challenges

For conditions not on the VA’s presumptive list, Veterans must provide a medical nexus linking the illness to water exposure. This can be difficult without expert medical opinions or knowledge of how to present the evidence effectively.

Appeals and Delays

Even strong claims may face slow processing, incorrect denials, or insufficient ratings. Navigating the VA’s appeal system requires familiarity with complex procedural rules and deadlines—something many Veterans attempt to do alone.

The Burden Veterans Face Navigating Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River Claims

Filing a Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River-related claim can be an emotionally draining and time-intensive process. Veterans are often asked to revisit painful medical histories or relive periods of service that have long since passed. Many face the following challenges:

Uncertainty About the Cause of Illness

Veterans may have lived with symptoms for years without ever being told that toxic exposure was a potential factor. By the time they learn about Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River’s water contamination, gathering relevant records or documentation can be difficult.

Emotional Frustration After Denials

A denied claim can feel deeply personal, especially when a Veteran is battling a life-altering illness. This emotional toll often causes applicants to abandon the process before exploring appeal options or seeking help.

Barriers in Legal and Medical Language

Understanding VA letters, medical nexus terminology, and eligibility standards can be overwhelming. Without a guide through this technical terrain, many Veterans are left feeling stuck, unheard, and unsupported.

How a Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River MCAS New River Disability Lawyer Can Help Veterans

For Veterans whose Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River related disability claims have been denied or rated too low, legal representation can make a significant difference. The VA appeals process is technical, deadline-driven, and often overwhelming without the right support. A skilled VA disability attorney focuses on strengthening the appeal, correcting procedural errors, and ensuring the Veteran’s condition is fully recognized.

Reviewing Denials and Identifying Legal Errors

After a denial or low rating, the first step in any appeal is understanding why the VA issued the decision. An attorney will carefully review the rating decision to identify mistakes in how the evidence was evaluated, how the law was applied, or whether the VA failed to consider key information. This review sets the foundation for a strong, targeted appeal that addresses the VA’s specific reasoning and builds a more compelling case.

Strengthening the Medical Evidence

For non-presumptive conditions, Veterans must prove that their diagnosis is linked to toxic water exposure. A disability attorney can coordinate with medical experts to secure detailed nexus letters—written opinions that clearly explain how the condition is connected to Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River service.

Attorneys ensure these letters meet VA evidentiary standards and reference the scientific and toxicological data necessary to support the appeal.

Supplementing the Record with Additional Documentation

Appeals often require more than medical records alone. Attorneys help Veterans gather missing or overlooked documentation, such as updated treatment records, “buddy statements” from fellow service members, or historical base data that reinforces the exposure timeline.

They also ensure the appeal includes a clear picture of how the Veteran’s condition affects daily functioning—crucial for rating increases or Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

Will my VA benefits affect my award from a CLJA claim?

Yes, in some cases. Your benefits may affect your award if both of these descriptions are true:

A court awards you relief as a result of a lawsuit filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, and

You already get VA benefits or health care related to exposure to water at Camp Lejeune

The court must reduce (or “offset”) the award by the amount of any related disability award, payment, or benefit we provided to you or your legal representative from a lawsuit. If you choose the elective option claim process, this offset doesn’t apply to you.

VA benefits that aren’t related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune won’t affect your award from a lawsuit.

Navigating the Appeals Process Start to Finish

From filing an appeal to preparing for a hearing before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, attorneys handle every step of the appeals timeline. They ensure deadlines are met, legal arguments are clearly presented, and new evidence is submitted properly.

By managing the legal and procedural aspects of an appeal, disability lawyers allow Veterans to focus on their health while knowing their case is being handled with precision and care.

Tips for Strengthening a Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River Disability Claim

Veterans affected by Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River water contamination can improve their chances of securing VA disability benefits by taking several proactive steps. While legal representation can greatly enhance a claim, the following actions—when completed early and thoroughly—can provide a strong foundation for a successful outcome.

Keeping Detailed Medical Records

Accurate and up-to-date medical documentation is essential to any VA disability claim. Veterans should request copies of all relevant diagnostic reports, imaging results, lab work, treatment summaries, and specialist evaluations. These records help establish the presence, severity, and progression of the condition being claimed.

It is also important to document how symptoms have evolved over time. Veterans can maintain a personal health journal to track flare-ups, side effects of treatment, and physical or mental limitations. This type of consistent, firsthand evidence can help VA decision-makers understand the day-to-day realities of living with a serious illness linked to toxic exposure.

Requesting a Nexus Letter

For conditions not on the VA’s presumptive list, a nexus letter from a qualified medical professional can be one of the most powerful pieces of evidence. This letter should clearly state that the Veteran’s diagnosed condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to exposure at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River.

The opinion must be supported by sound medical reasoning and should reference known toxicological effects of the chemicals found in the base’s water supply. Veterans should work with legal teams or medical providers familiar with VA requirements to ensure the letter meets the necessary evidentiary standards.

Gathering Service and Housing Records

To establish eligibility, Veterans must show they lived or served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Proof may include base housing assignments, pay stubs, PCS orders, or unit rosters.

If original records are missing or incomplete, Veterans can supplement the claim with buddy statements or affidavits from others who served with them. The more clearly the service timeline aligns with the contamination window, the stronger the foundation for the claim.

Tracking Impact on Daily Life

The VA evaluates how a condition affects a Veteran’s functional capacity—not just the diagnosis itself. Veterans should keep notes on how their health limits their ability to work, manage personal care, interact socially, or maintain relationships.

Details about missed work, difficulty sleeping, inability to complete tasks, or dependence on others for daily living can strengthen a claim’s credibility and support a higher disability rating. This information is also critical when applying for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

Seeking Legal Support Early

Legal guidance from the beginning can prevent avoidable delays, denials, or procedural mistakes. A VA-accredited disability lawyer understands how to structure a claim, identify weak points, and coordinate the right medical evidence.

Early legal support with the VA appeal process helps Veterans determine whether they may qualify for additional compensation and any other benefits through the VA. By taking a strategic approach from the outset, Veterans are better positioned to secure the full range of benefits they’re entitled to pursue.

The Importance of Acting Now

Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River-related illnesses often worsen over time. Early action can improve access to medical care, preserve the effective date for back pay, and ensure vital evidence is secured before it becomes harder to obtain.

Whether you’re just learning about your exposure or appealing a denied claim, now is the time to act. Securing help today can safeguard your benefits and your peace of mind tomorrow.