If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River between 1953 and 1987, you may qualify for VA disability compensation and free VA healthcare with no copays. The PACT Act of 2022 expanded these benefits significantly, establishing eight presumptive conditions that automatically qualify for service connection. That means you no longer need to prove the contaminated water caused your illness. If you have one of those conditions and served at least 30 days during the covered period, the VA assumes the connection. This guide covers who qualifies, what the conditions are, what you can expect to be paid, and exactly how to file.
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
From 1953 through 1987, the drinking water at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River was contaminated with toxic chemicals. The primary contaminants identified were:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE), used as a metal degreaser
- Perchloroethylene (PCE), from off-base dry cleaning operations
- Benzene, a known human carcinogen
- Vinyl chloride, a breakdown product of TCE and PCE
These chemicals were found at concentrations up to 240 to 3,400 times above the safety limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. An estimated one million veterans, family members, and civilian workers were exposed during this period.
Who Qualifies for Camp Lejeune VA Benefits?
To be eligible for VA disability compensation under the Camp Lejeune program, you must meet all three of the following criteria:
- Service location. You served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, North Carolina.
- Service dates. Your service occurred between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
- Service duration. You served for at least 30 cumulative days during that period.
- Discharge status. You did not receive a dishonorable discharge.
- Covered condition. You have a current diagnosis of one or more of the eight presumptive conditions listed below.
There is no statute of limitations for filing a VA disability claim based on a Camp Lejeune presumptive condition. You can file a claim decades after separating from service.
The 8 Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions
The VA recognizes eight conditions as presumptively connected to Camp Lejeune toxic water exposure. If you have one of these diagnoses, you do not need to prove a link to your service:
| Condition | Notes |
|---|
| Adult leukemia | Includes chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, hairy cell leukemia |
| Aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes | Bone marrow disorders affecting blood cell production |
| Bladder cancer | Includes transitional cell carcinoma |
| Kidney cancer | Renal cell carcinoma and related types |
| Liver cancer | Hepatocellular carcinoma |
| Multiple myeloma | Cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow |
| Non-Hodgkin lymphoma | A group of blood cancers that affect the lymphatic system |
| Parkinson's disease | A neurodegenerative disorder |
Cancer diagnoses among the eight presumptive conditions typically receive 100% disability ratings during active treatment, which translates to the maximum monthly compensation.
VA Disability Compensation Rates for 2026
VA disability compensation is paid tax-free each month based on your disability rating. The VA applied a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment effective December 2025, making these the rates in effect through late 2026.
Veterans Without Dependents
| Disability Rating | Monthly Payment |
|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.21 |
| 30% | $553.54 |
| 40% | $797.46 |
| 50% | $1,134.04 |
| 60% | $1,435.56 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,100.84 |
| 90% | $2,358.54 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Veterans with a spouse, children, or dependent parents receive additional amounts at ratings of 30% and above. For example, a veteran rated at 100% with a dependent spouse receives $4,158.17 per month. Active cancer cases typically receive a 100% rating during treatment.
Retroactive Pay
Under the PACT Act, eligible veterans who file now can receive retroactive benefits going back to August 10, 2022 (the date the PACT Act was signed). For a veteran rated at 100%, that retroactive window can represent more than $150,000 in back pay depending on when their condition was diagnosed.
VA Healthcare Benefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans
Beyond disability compensation, Camp Lejeune veterans may qualify for free VA healthcare specifically for 15 covered health conditions. Under this program, you pay no copay for treatment of any listed condition, regardless of your VA healthcare enrollment priority group.
The 15 conditions covered for no-cost healthcare include:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
This healthcare benefit is separate from the VA disability compensation claim. You can access free healthcare for these conditions even if you have not yet filed a disability claim.
Family Members May Also Qualify
Family members who lived at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, are eligible for VA healthcare reimbursement under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program (CLFMP).
Eligible family members include:
- Spouses
- Children (including those who were in utero while a parent lived on base)
- Stepchildren who lived at the base for the required period
The VA can reimburse out-of-pocket medical expenses incurred for treatment of a covered condition. This is a reimbursement program, not direct VA care for family members, but it can recover substantial costs for those who paid for treatment themselves.
Note: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provided a civil litigation pathway for family members, but the two-year filing window under that law closed on August 10, 2024. The VA healthcare reimbursement path through CLFMP remains open.
How to File a Camp Lejeune VA Disability Claim: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather Your Records
Before filing, collect:
- DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
- Military orders or other documentation showing service at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River
- Medical records confirming your diagnosis of a presumptive condition
- If applicable, doctors' notes connecting your condition to treatment history
If you do not have your DD-214, request it through the National Archives at archives.gov or through your VA regional office.
Step 2: File VA Form 21-526EZ
The primary form for VA disability compensation is VA Form 21-526EZ, "Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits." You have several ways to submit it:
- Online: Log into VA.gov, go to "File a disability claim," and complete the form through the Benefits portal
- By mail: Mail the completed form to your VA regional office
- In person: Bring the form to your nearest VA regional office
- Through a VSO: A Veterans Service Organization representative can file on your behalf at no cost
When filing, explicitly state that you are claiming one or more Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions. Write "Camp Lejeune water contamination presumptive" in the remarks section.
Step 3: Request a Nexus Letter (If Applicable)
For the eight presumptive conditions, a nexus letter (a doctor's statement connecting your condition to service) is technically not required because the presumption does the work. However, having strong medical documentation of your diagnosis and treatment history will speed processing and support any rating decision.
If you are claiming a non-presumptive condition you believe is related to Camp Lejeune exposure, a nexus letter from a qualified physician becomes essential.
Step 4: Submit Supporting Evidence
Along with your claim form, submit:
- Copies of your military records documenting service at Camp Lejeune
- All relevant medical records and diagnostic reports
- A buddy statement (VA Form 21-10210) from someone who served with you or witnessed your service at Camp Lejeune, if needed to establish your presence at the base
Step 5: Attend Your C&P Exam If Scheduled
After submitting your claim, the VA may schedule a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to evaluate your condition. This is standard practice. Attend the exam and be thorough in describing your symptoms and limitations. Missing the exam can result in a denied claim.
Step 6: Review Your Rating Decision
Once the VA processes your claim, you will receive a rating decision letter. Processing times for Camp Lejeune presumptive claims currently average 4 to 6 months. If you disagree with the rating assigned, you have one year from the decision date to appeal through one of three lanes: Supplemental Claim, Higher-Level Review, or Board of Veterans' Appeals.
Where to Get Free Help Filing
You are not required to hire a lawyer to file a VA disability claim. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) offer free claims assistance and are accredited by the VA:
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Benefits.va.gov/vso
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): VFW.org
- American Legion: Legion.org
- Marine Corps League (for Lejeune veterans specifically)
Accredited VSO representatives can help gather evidence, complete forms, and submit your claim at no cost. Law firms that handle VA claims typically charge a contingency fee only if they win your appeal, not for the initial claim.
Camp Lejeune vs. Standard VA Toxic Exposure Claims
| Factor | Camp Lejeune Presumptive | Standard VA Disability Claim |
|---|
| Need to prove service connection | No (presumptive) | Yes |
| Average processing time | 4 to 6 months | 12 to 18 months or more |
| Retroactive benefits available | Yes, back to Aug 2022 | Yes, from date of claim |
| Medical evidence required | Diagnosis only | Diagnosis plus nexus |
| Family members covered | Yes (healthcare reimbursement) | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a Camp Lejeune VA disability claim?
There is no deadline for filing a VA disability compensation claim based on Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions. The VA path is open indefinitely. Note that the separate civil litigation pathway under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act closed on August 10, 2024.
Do I need to prove the water caused my illness?
No. For the eight presumptive conditions, the VA assumes the connection if you served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. You only need to show your service dates and provide a diagnosis.
Can I get both disability compensation and VA healthcare?
Yes. These are separate benefits and you can receive both. VA disability compensation is a monthly cash payment. VA healthcare for the 15 covered conditions provides copay-free medical treatment.
What if I have a condition not on the presumptive list?
You can still file a VA disability claim for conditions not on the list if you believe they are connected to your service at Camp Lejeune. In that case, you would need medical evidence and a nexus letter from a physician explaining the connection. These claims take longer to process.
How much can I receive in back pay?
The PACT Act established August 10, 2022, as the earliest effective date for retroactive Camp Lejeune claims. If you are rated at 100% and your condition existed on or before that date, you may receive approximately $47,000 to $50,000 per year retroactively from that date forward, depending on dependents and specific rating.
Can my family get benefits if I have already passed away?
Surviving spouses and dependents may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the veteran died from a Camp Lejeune presumptive condition. DIC pays $1,562.74 per month to eligible surviving spouses in 2026, with additional amounts for children.
I served at Camp Lejeune but do not have one of the 8 presumptive conditions. Do I qualify for anything?
Yes. If you were at Camp Lejeune during the covered period, you may still be eligible for VA healthcare for the 15 covered health conditions if you develop one later. You can also file a non-presumptive disability claim for conditions you believe are connected to the toxic exposure, though those require more supporting evidence.
Where do I start if I am not sure about my eligibility?
Start by checking your service records to confirm dates at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, then run a free benefits screening at benefitsusa.org/screener to see what programs you may qualify for.
Camp Lejeune disability claims are among the most straightforward in the VA system because of the presumptive framework. If you have the service history and one of the eight diagnoses, the VA's job is to rate the severity and calculate your benefit. The hardest part for most veterans is simply getting started. Use a VSO for free help, file online through VA.gov, and include explicit language about Camp Lejeune contamination in your claim.
