Understanding VA Compensation and Court Awards for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims

Understanding VA Compensation and Court Awards for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims

The topic involves the complexities and controversies surrounding Veterans Affairs (VA) disability compensation related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination incident. Veterans who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and developed specific health conditions as a result may be eligible for VA disability compensation. However, the situation becomes complex when these veterans receive court-awarded compensation for their ailments.

The VA has indicated that the amount of VA disability may offset any court-awarded compensation for conditions linked to the Camp Lejeune water contamination benefits the veteran has already received. If the VA has compensated a veteran for a disability related to the Camp Lejeune incident and then gets an additional amount from a lawsuit settlement or court award, the VA may reduce their future benefits by the amount received from the court, effectively recouping the cost.

This policy stems from the principle of preventing "double compensation" for the same disability or injury. While it may seem fair in theory, it has caused significant concern among affected veterans, especially those who have been relying on VA benefits for an extended period. Veterans who recently began receiving compensation might feel less impact than those who have been receiving benefits for a longer duration, such as ten years.

Moreover, the VA's communication regarding this policy has been criticized for its ambiguity. The statement "Yes, potentially" in response to whether previously received VA benefits will impact court-awarded relief does little to clarify the situation for veterans seeking straightforward answers.

The discussion also touches upon the prevalence of scams targeting veterans eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CJJA). Veterans are cautioned against fraudsters who may offer unnecessary assistance filing claims, often for a fee. The VA emphasizes that veterans do not need to hire a lawyer or any outside help for filing claims related to presumptive conditions linked to Camp Lejeune as long as they meet the established time criteria and have a current diagnosis for one of the specified health conditions.

The specified conditions include adult leukemia, various forms of cancer (such as bladder, kidney, and liver cancer), multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Parkinson's disease. Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune or the adjacent Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions are encouraged to file a claim.

The article concludes by highlighting the importance of meeting the service criteria and having a diagnosis for one of the recognized conditions to make the claims process more straightforward. It emphasizes the VA's role in acknowledging the service at Camp Lejeune and underscores the necessity for veterans to submit evidence-based claims, especially for presumptive conditions. A map provided by the VA delineates the specific areas of Camp Lejeune covered under the benefit, clarifying the zones where veterans must have spent time to be eligible for compensation.

References:

Veterans Exposed to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water – New Rules. https://www.veteransdisabilityinfo.com/blog.php?article=veterans-exposed-to-camp-lejeune-contaminated-water-new-rules_355

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Archives - Martin & Jones, PLLC. https://www.martinandjones.com/blog/category/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/

Connecting-Africa | Find publications - Search results. https://connecting-africa.net/query_2.php?rid=B00067514

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Archives - Martin & Jones, PLLC. https://www.martinandjones.com/blog/category/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/