Before U.S. Rep. Richard Burr's Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act went before the Senate Veterans Affairs committee for its vote, its future was very dim. At the time, it did not appear as if there were enough votes to pass the bill.
The bill would provide health care for what could amount to hundreds of thousands of veterans and families stationed at Camp Lejeune and possibly exposed to contaminated water. The committee, however, approved and passed the bill.
This is a critical step for those requiring health care due to their exposure to various contaminants in Camp Lejeune's water supply. Rep. Burr and U.S. Sen Patty Murray apparently came to a last-minute agreement just prior to the bill going to vote. Under Rep. Burr's bill, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would pay the health care tab. Sen. Murray believed that burden should be put on the Department of Defense (DoD) because they were initially responsible for the toxic water.
Although this is the farthest this bill has reached in the last two years, there is still much to overcome. The legislation must still receive the stamp of approval from the Senate, the House, which is adverse to increasing spending, and the Obama administration. According to the VA and the DoD, the Obama administration opposes this bill.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today
- 1-888-234-5758.
Category: Veterans' Disability
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Soldiers can return home with a number of conditions, injuries, and aggravated preexisting conditions. If you believe you have a service-connected physical or psychological injury you may be entitled to Veterans’ Disability Compensation.