By Sarah Jones, J.D., VA-Accredited Attorney
Veterans, family members, and civilian workers exposed to contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 may have rights under two separate frameworks: VA disability benefits for qualifying veterans, and a federal civil cause of action under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act for individuals exposed for at least 30 days who developed a qualifying condition.
What happened at Camp Lejeune
From August 1953 through December 1987, drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated with industrial solvents — including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride — at levels above modern safety standards. A large number of service members, family members, and civilian workers were exposed during this period.
Government investigations, including by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), have documented the contamination, identified the responsible water systems (notably Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point), and reviewed the medical literature linking these chemicals to specific cancers and other illnesses.
VA presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune veterans
The VA has established a presumptive service-connection list for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days during the qualifying period. Recognised conditions include certain cancers and other illnesses linked to the contaminants. Presumptive treatment means the VA does not require proof of a medical nexus for these conditions if qualifying service is established.
- Adult leukaemia
- Aplastic anaemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Parkinson's disease
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, enacted as part of the PACT Act, created a separate federal civil cause of action allowing individuals exposed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the qualifying period to sue the United States for harm caused by the contamination. CLJA claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
CLJA claims are distinct from VA disability benefits. Recovery under the CLJA may be offset by certain VA payments. Statutory deadlines apply, and claimants must first present an administrative claim to the Department of the Navy before filing in court.
Who can file
Veterans, dependants, civilian workers, contractors, and others exposed for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 who developed a qualifying condition. In utero exposure may qualify in certain circumstances, opening a pathway for adult children of personnel who lived on base during pregnancy.
Unlike VA disability benefits, which are limited to veterans, the CLJA expressly covers family members and civilian personnel. This is a critical difference: many family members suffered serious health consequences from the contamination but had no remedy until the CLJA was enacted.
Conditions commonly associated with the contamination
Medical literature has linked Camp Lejeune contaminants to a range of cancers (kidney, liver, bladder, breast), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukaemia, Parkinson's disease, aplastic anaemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, female infertility, miscarriage, and certain birth defects. The exact list a court applies in CLJA litigation may differ from the VA presumptive list.
If your condition is not on the VA presumptive list, you may still have a non-presumptive VA claim under 38 CFR § 3.320, and you may still have a CLJA claim. Each framework evaluates causation under its own rules.
Healthcare benefits separate from compensation
Beyond disability and CLJA recovery, qualifying Camp Lejeune veterans and family members may be eligible for VA healthcare for a list of conditions associated with the contamination, under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program. This program covers out-of-pocket medical expenses for eligible family members for covered conditions.
Practical first steps
Gather proof of presence at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days during the qualifying period: orders, housing records, family base ID cards, and medical records. Collect current medical records documenting the qualifying condition. Note any prior VA claims and their outcomes.
Consider both tracks. A qualifying veteran can pursue a VA disability claim and, separately, a CLJA claim. Each has its own forms, deadlines, and standards. A coordinated approach typically produces the best overall outcome.
Coordination with VA benefits
Recovery under the CLJA may be offset by VA payments for the same harm. This does not mean veterans should choose one over the other — it means counsel should structure recovery to account for the offset. The VA disability benefit also brings collateral benefits (healthcare, certain housing programs) that the CLJA does not provide.
Two parallel tracks survivors and veterans should understand
Camp Lejeune cases run on two separate tracks. The first is the VA disability and healthcare track, which uses the existing presumptive framework for the eight covered conditions. The second is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act track, which allows civil claims for personal injury or wrongful death in federal court.
The two tracks are independent. Filing one does not bar the other, and many veterans, family members, and civilian workers have valid claims on both tracks at once.
- VA disability compensation for covered presumptive conditions
- VA healthcare under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program
- Civil claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
- DIC or wrongful-death claims for surviving family members
Evidence the Justice Act track typically requires
A Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim must show at least 30 days of presence at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 and a qualifying diagnosis. Documenting both points is the foundation of any successful claim, and missing either is the most common reason claims stall.
Civilian workers, family members of service members, and in utero exposures all qualify if the presence and diagnosis can be documented. The Justice Act is not limited to uniformed service members.
- Military or personnel records showing dates at Camp Lejeune
- Housing records, school records, or employment records for family members and civilians
- Medical records showing the qualifying diagnosis
- Pathology reports, oncology records, or other specialty records where applicable
- Documentation of any prior VA decisions on a related condition
How Cross & York coordinates the two tracks
When a Camp Lejeune case comes in, we evaluate both tracks together so a strategy on one does not undercut the other. Settlement timing, evidence sharing, and statute-of-limitations management all benefit from a coordinated approach.
Veterans and survivors can pursue either track on their own or with separate counsel. We are happy to coordinate with existing counsel if you already have a Justice Act lawyer and need VA-side support, or vice versa.
Frequently overlooked next steps
Many Camp Lejeune-eligible veterans, family members, and civilian workers have not yet filed under either track because they assume the other track will cover them. Each track has its own statute of limitations and its own evidence requirements, and pursuing one does not automatically protect rights under the other.
If you or a family member spent time at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 and have one of the covered conditions, the first step is to gather presence and diagnosis documentation. From there, separate decisions can be made about each track.
The VA disability and healthcare side can be pursued directly at VA.gov or with a VSO at no cost. The Justice Act civil track is typically handled by tort lawyers on contingency.
Frequently asked questions
Are CLJA claims the same as VA disability claims?
No. The CLJA creates a separate federal civil cause of action filed in U.S. District Court. VA disability benefits are administered by the VA. The two frameworks are distinct, with different eligibility rules and remedies.
Is there a deadline for CLJA claims?
Yes. Statutory deadlines apply to CLJA filings. Confirm current deadlines with qualified counsel before relying on this summary.
Can family members file?
Yes — family members and other non-veterans exposed for at least 30 days during the qualifying period may file CLJA claims, though VA disability benefits are limited to veterans.
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Last reviewed by Sarah Jones, J.D., VA-Accredited Attorney. Content reviewed against VA.gov and Federal Register sources.