VA May Expand List of Conditions Caused by Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune
The VA is currently considering adding new conditions to the list that qualify for healthcare from the VA because of exposure to the contaminated water at USMC Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The VA currently provides only healthcare for these conditions, not disability compensation. Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 currently qualify to have the VA provide healthcare for the following conditions: Esophageal cancer Lung cancer
Breast cancer Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer Leukemia
Multiple myeloma Myelodysplastic syndromes
Renal toxicity Hepatic steatosis
Female infertility Miscarriage
Scleroderma Neurobehavioral effects
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The VA also reimburses eligible family members who lived on base during that time period for healthcare costs related to their exposure to the contaminated water.
The VA will be working closely with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to review the new conditions that are being considered for the list. Among the diseases that are being reviewed are acute myelogenous leukemia and angiosarcoma of the liver, both of which are known to be related to long-term exposure to those chemicals that were found in the water supply.
The VA and the ATSDR will be meeting on the 19thto start discussions. As soon as they publish their determinations, we will let you know.
Veterans who believe that they have health problems that are not currently considered connected to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may file a claim online at www.ebenefits.va.govor call 1-800-827-1000 for help.
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Any word on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome being added to the VASRD in 2016?
CRPS/RSD
Not yet. The VA is releasing each section of the VASRD as it is being rewritten, and this one hasn't been done yet. Until they release it, nobody knows anything about what changes they will be proposing. As soon as it is released, though, we'll write up a blog and post it here. Unfortunately, there is no way to know when they'll release it, so keep checking back.