The battlefield doesn’t always end with active duty. Many veterans face a hidden threat – exposure to toxins during their service, leaving a silent enemy within.
This unseen enemy stems from exposure to toxic substances encountered during military service. If you’re a veteran reading this and experiencing unexplained health issues – persistent coughs, unusual skin conditions, a constant sense of fatigue – know that you are not alone.
This blog post aims to shed light on the realities of toxic exposure, help you recognize the signs, and, most importantly, guide you towards the support you deserve.
Understanding Toxic Exposure
Not all battlegrounds consist of firearms and detonations. It could also be your everyday existence, in which you contend for survival daily. Toxic exposure during military service is a concealed menace, an adversary whose effects may not become apparent for years.
For veterans, the source of these toxins can be diverse, weaving a complex tapestry of potential health risks.
Burn Pits
Imagine billowing plumes of toxic smoke emanating from open trenches overflowing with burning waste—a consequence of post-9/11 waste disposal practices. Soldiers stationed near these burn pits faced chronic exposure to noxious fumes released by incinerated plastics, metals, and other materials.
Despite voiced concerns, the issue remained unaddressed. Studies analyzing over 100 bases in Iraq and Afghanistan found that around 80% of the 450,000+ veterans examined experienced prolonged exposure to burn pits.
Disturbingly, research now suggests a correlation between burn pit exposure and increased incidences of immune system dysfunction and neurological decline.
Agent Orange
Agent Orange, which the military developed in the latter half of the 1940s, served as more than just a defoliant. It was also used in industrial agriculture applications. While its intended purpose was to clear away unwanted plant life, the long-term consequences were far more sinister.
Testing revealed a shocking truth – Agent Orange contained dioxin, a powerful toxin. Veterans exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, and potentially through industrial means, now face a significantly higher risk of developing various severe health issues.
Studies have established a clear link between exposure and a rise in leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and a range of other cancers.
Toxic Water
Military bases should provide a haven, but for some veterans, even the water they relied on became a source of harm. The crisis at Camp Lejeune is an illustrative case in point.
Testing conducted between the 1950s and 1980s revealed disturbing levels of industrial solvents, like trichloroethylene (TCE), in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. These contaminants exceeded safety standards, with concentrations ranging from a concerning 240 times the permissible limit to an astounding 3,400 times higher.
Notwithstanding these findings, the Marine Corps’ reaction was deficient in the sense of urgency that the situation necessitated. This delay in addressing the contamination resulted in prolonged exposure for over a million residents of the base.
According to TorHoerman Law, there’s a correlation between exposure to military toxins and veterans experiencing rare cancers, neurological disorders, and even birth defects in their offspring.
As we move forward, we’ll delve into the ongoing, challenging, and often painful journey veterans face in their pursuit of compensation.
Persistent Struggles in Securing Due Compensation
Earlier, veterans suffering health problems linked to toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune had no way to get financial help. Thankfully, 2022 saw a ray of hope with the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This law allows anyone who lived at the base for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 to seek compensation for health problems.
Unfortunately, some eligible veterans were initially excluded from faster compensation options. This stemmed from limitations in the initial data collection process, which overlooked some potentially deserving individuals.
So, where do you stand in this gruesome, time-consuming compensation process? What is the average payout for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
The predicament was additionally worsened by the overwhelming volume of claims that the Navy received. The Bloomberg Law News reveals a staggering figure – nearly 150,000 claims have been filed by veterans, civilian workers, and dependents who lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987.
Traditionally, these legal cases involve lengthy and intricate procedures, raising concerns about the well-being of many claimants. The majority are older adults battling life-threatening conditions. For them, the time it takes to resolve their claims can be a matter of life or death.
The average settlement payouts are difficult to calculate at this time. The determination of the settlement amount for each specific case is contingent upon various factors, including
- The extent of the injuries sustained
- The conditions that were diagnosed
- The duration of time spent at the base, and more.
Additionally, lawsuit settlements would encompass the compensation for harms suffered, such as expenses related to medical treatment, financial losses, psychological distress, and additional comparable losses.
The settlement amounts might range from $10,000 to $1,000,000, based on the strength of your case. Potentially substantial individual settlement amounts may be awarded for Camp Lejeune water contamination-related injuries, illnesses diagnosed, and available evidence.
Filing a VA Claim for Toxic Exposure
Veterans who believe their health problems stem from toxic exposure during their service face a complex system when filing for VA benefits. Understanding the process beforehand can improve your claim’s success.
The Essentials
Every veteran seeking benefits related to toxic exposure needs to complete VA Form 21-526EZ. This form details your military service, diagnosed medical conditions, and how they might be linked.
Eligibility
To qualify for VA disability benefits, veterans must demonstrate a clear connection between their current health and their military service. This involves:
- A diagnosed illness or injury: You must have a current medical condition impacting your physical or mental health.
- Military service: Proof of active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training is required.
To qualify for benefits, veterans need to prove their illness is linked to their service:
In-service disability: Your current illness resulted from an illness during service.
Pre-existing condition: Your service worsened a pre-existing health issue.
Post-service disability: You developed a disability after your service ended.
Presumptive Conditions
Certain illnesses are assumed to be linked to military service. These “presumptive conditions” have specific lists depending on your exposure.
Camp Lejeune: The probable ailments experienced by veterans and their families exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are outlined in a detailed list.
Agent Orange: Allegations made by Agent Orange lawsuits rely on a similar list of ailments that include several malignancies as well as other ailments like ischemic heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and chloracne.
Burn Pits: Burn pit exposure claims require evidence of proximity to burn pits and a doctor’s opinion linking your condition to the exposure. This is due to the absence of a preset list of diseases in this case.
The invisible scars of toxic exposure demand a different kind of courage from veterans. It’s a fight for recognition, for healthcare, for a future free from this silent enemy. This battle extends far beyond the individual, impacting families and shaping a future for veterans’ health.
With advancements in medicine and a unified voice, you can not only secure compensation but pave the way for better prevention and long-term care. The fight for a healthier tomorrow starts now.
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