Noteboom The Law Firm

Veterans Waiting For Compensation Following Toxic Exposure

April 29, 2010 - Soldiers are very aware of the inherent risks they face as military personnel. In exchange for the incredible amount of sacrifices veterans have made for this country, it is reasonable to believe excellent health care and benefits should be available when they are needed. Yet, many veterans find what they consider to be vital benefits due to service-connected conditions being delayed or denied on a routine basis.

The plight of veterans injured from environmental hazards and their inability to get the medical care they deserve is an ongoing struggle. There are currently 130 bases on the National Priority List and veterans all over the country are suffering from exposure to hazardous agents while stationed at these bases.

With the exception of Camp Lejeune, neither the Department of Defense (DoD) nor the VA are required to notify veterans they could have been exposed to toxic hazards. Trichloroethylene (TCE), for example, is a degreaser, a known carcinogen, and a toxic chemical which has been identified as contaminating over 1,400 Air Force bases.

Veterans exposed at contaminated bases will likely not receive notice. Further, it is common to not develop symptoms until years following exposure. Long term harms from exposure to hazardous agents can include:

• Neurological damage;
• Infertility;
• Cancer; and
• Heart disease.

 The government continues to deny disability claims for essential services and benefits from thousands of veterans exposed to hazardous agents while stationed at military posts. While males are only 1.7% of total breast cancer patients, there are 55 Marines with breast cancer who were stationed at Camp Lejeune while the drinking water was contaminated. The Camp Lejeune exposure has affected approximately 500,000 people, many still waiting for government medical services.

Congress has attempted to help the situation this year, but the benefits proposed are not enough. The Janey Ensminger Bill, H.R. 4555, was recently introduced, which specifically targets veterans exposed to environmental hazards while on active duty. This bill would require a board of independent scientists to review the exposures and then make recommendations to the DoD for proper compensation. With any luck, the veterans will receive their due benefits sooner rather than later.