Camp Lejeune Water contamination and VA Disability | All You Need To Know

Welcome to The Veterans Disability Nexus, where we provide unique insights and expertise on medical evidence related to VA-rated disabilities. Leah Bucholz, a US Army Veteran, Physician Assistant, & former Compensation & Pension Examiner shares her knowledge related to Independent Medical Opinions often referred to as “Nexus Letters” in support of your pursuit of VA Disability every Wednesday at 7 AM. In this video, Leah discusses the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and its health implications for veterans. She explains that volatile organic compounds, found in products like dry cleaning solvents, contaminated the camp's groundwater due to nearby industrial activities, surpassing Environmental Protection Agency limits. This contamination, discovered in 1982 but present for years prior, has been linked to several health conditions, including various cancers. Leah highlights the importance of understanding VA disability and healthcare benefits available for veterans exposed to these toxins between 1953 and 1987. She outlines the concept of presumptive conditions, which are health issues presumed to be caused by military service, eliminating the need for veterans to prove the link themselves. Conditions like leukemia, bladder cancer, and Parkinson's disease are among those recognized for eligibility for compensation.