Were you exposed to contaminated groundwater in the service? You may be eligible for contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits. Many military bases exposed veterans to some of the most dangerous cancer-causing carcinogens. This page explains how contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits work, demonstrates how to apply and appeal, and identifies the locations veterans were exposed.
About Contaminated Groundwater VA Disability Benefits
The U.S. military gave troops and their families contaminated groundwater for decades. There are many instances where the military knew or should have known that service members and their families were being exposed. There is no clear idea how many veterans have been poisoned. It is suspected that many generations of military members and their families have developed serious medical conditions from contaminated groundwater poisoning. The sad truth is many have lost their lives from cancers, Hodgkins disease, miscarriages, neurological disorders, and more.
Compensation for Poisoned Veterans
Veterans who were exposed to contaminated water and have service-connected impairments may be able to receive over $2,900 a month from the Veterans Administration. Veterans that have dependent children and parents can receive extra monthly compensation. Veterans that can’t work from service-connected disabilities may be entitled to Total Disability Individual Unemployability benefits.
Your effective date will determine when you should have started receiving contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits. When you are approved for contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits you may find you are owed back pay. That means you could receive a lump sum check from the Veterans Administration.
Help for Dependents Left Behind
If you were married to a veteran who died from a service-connected groundwater impairment, you may be entitled to receive DIC benefits. The Veterans Administration offers DIC benefits to help families left behind. In some instances, there are various VA benefits for children of deceased veterans.
***Please note that the list below does not cover all military bases that had contaminated groundwater. The VA has expanded this list over the years. The VA may have even added more bases since this page was written. Not sure if your base had contaminated groundwater? Give us a call and we can investigate.
Anniston Army Depot
Anniston Army Depot is located in Bynum, Alabama. Anniston Army Depot was where our nation’s military stored ammunitions, chemicals, fuel, and other toxic compounds for decades. Unfortunately, many of these substances leaked into the groundwater, streams, and rivers. This contaminated groundwater may have been used by U.S. troops and their families. The illnesses associated with these chemicals are dangerous and possibly deadly. The chemicals that may be found in the groundwater at Anniston Army Depot are:
- Agent Blue: A defoliant that contains arsenic.
- Agent Orange: A defoliant that contains dioxin.
- Mustard Gas: a weapon used in chemical warfare.
- Sarin Gas: A weapon used in chemical warfare.
- VX Nerve Gas: A weapon used in chemical warfare.
- Other Chemicals: Things such as fuel, degreasers, and base chemicals
Camp Lejeune
From 1957 to 1987 U.S. service members and their families drank contaminated water at Camp Lejeune located in North Carolina. The same water was used for cooking, cleaning, and showering. For decades fuel, dry cleaning agents, and other contaminates leaked into the groundwater which the base used. There seems to be a general consensus that the military knew the water was contaminated, yet still used it. It is believed the contaminated water has caused cancers, leukemia, neurological disorders, and many more possibly deadly conditions. The chemicals found in the groundwater are:
- Benzene: a fuel component.
- Perchloroethylene (PCE): a dry cleaning solvent.
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): a toxic metal greasing solvent.
- Vinyl chloride: which can form when TCE and PCE are broken down.
Camp Pendleton
Camp Pendleton is a Marine Corp training facility located in California. The groundwater and soil are so polluted at Camp Pendleton that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers the military base a “Superfund Clean Up Site.” According to the EPA, there was a groundwater well located only 1,320 feet from one of the disposal areas. That means it is likely that veterans and their families were drinking very heavily polluted water that leads to devastating medical conditions. The chemicals found at Camp Pendleton are:
- Benzene: a fuel component.
- DDT: a pesticide that has been banned.
- Heptachlor: a pesticide the EPA now limits.
- Lead: if ingested lead can cause neurological disorders.
- Lindane: a pesticide that has been banned.
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone: commonly used as an industrial solvent that is toxic.
- Trichloroethylene: commonly used as an industrial solvent.
- Xylene: a major petrochemical produced by catalytic reforming.
- 2,4-T: an herbicide used to defoliate plants.
Fort McClellan
Fort McClellan, located in Anniston, Alabama is also known as Fort Mac. The groundwater at Fort McClellan is also contaminated and veterans used the contaminated water for daily use. Fox News reports that “a bill introduced in 2013 called the Fort McClellan Health Act sought to create a registry for veterans stationed at the base to help them get coverage for health issues stemming from their exposure to toxins, and open up disability payments. However, the bill was referred to a committee where it has yet to advance.” Because this is a changing area of VA law, we suggest you contact our contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits lawyers if you have questions. The chemicals that may have leaked into Fort McClellan’s groundwater are:
- Agent Blue: A defoliant that contains arsenic.
- Agent Orange: A defoliant that contains dioxin.
- Mustard Gas: a weapon used in chemical warfare.
- Sarin Gas: A weapon used in chemical warfare.
- VX Nerve Gas: A weapon used in chemical warfare.
- Other Chemicals: Things such as fuel, degreasers, and base chemicals.
Hiring a Lawyer for Contaminated Groundwater Claims
Woods & Woods veterans disability lawyers helps veterans and their families exposed to contaminated water on military bases. Our contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits lawyers never charge a penny unless you win your appeal. There is never a charge for a legal consultation or help filing your initial application. When you hire us, our contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits lawyers begin combing through your medical and service records to prove your claim. Woods & Woods contaminated groundwater VA disability benefits lawyers work with doctors, psychologists, and vocational experts to provide evidence of your medical conditions.
