Thank you to those who have proudly served their country through military service. In the United States, a new law provides disability compensation to veterans exposed to contaminated water during military service (specific details must be met, as explained below) who have developed a health condition. When disability and illness strike a veteran, and it is connected to their service, the country not only owes them a debt of gratitude. It also owes them compensation. Do you qualify for VA benefits because of polluted water?
The issue of polluted water
Polluted water from Marine Corps Air Station and Camp Lejeune exposed countless service members to the possibility of developing diseases such as cancer and other serious conditions. Base wells contained water that had highly toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene and benzene.
If you were stationed at either of those places between 1953 and 1987, it’s time to ask yourself a very important question: “do I qualify for VA disability benefits from polluted water?”
New US laws open up claim possibility
Recently, legislation was introduced into Congress that expands the possibility for veterans to file claims regarding polluted water at Camp Lejeune and MCAS. When you file a benefits claim with the VA, that compensation can cover all related costs to illnesses incurred by pollution and contamination.
While filing a legitimate claim, it should be an expeditious and simple process. However, some veterans have difficulty doing so or are outright denied. That shouldn’t be the case, but it does happen.
Why file a VA benefits claim for polluted water ASAP?
If you or someone you know has been affected by the contaminated water at either of those two stations, you have likely been suffering for some time — even if you didn’t realize it. The entire concept of a VA benefits claim is to help veterans.
You put your life on the line by protecting the country. It is only right that your life is honored and protected. Exposure to harsh and toxic chemicals from polluted water wasn’t part of the deal.
For years, many service members suffered from the lasting effects of that exposure and had no clue what was going on. Many of those people are no longer here. The ability to file a VA disability benefits claim is still your right. Now that the information is public, every person exposed during those years deserves to be fairly compensated.
Holding off on a claim just means it takes longer to get what you have long deserved. Filing a claim is just the first step. After a claim is filed, it can take much longer for it to go through. However, that is also based on that claim being validated and verified. The sooner you can file a claim, the closer you will be to being compensated.
A few last words on VA benefits because of polluted water
If you have filed a claim and are having difficulty or being denied, it might be time to consider hiring an attorney. It truly could make a big difference to expedited successful claims. If you were exposed to polluted water, you have rights, and the country owes you.