Posted on Dec 14, 2025
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I need some help finding something. As many of you know this past year I was diagnosed prostate cancer. I filed with the V.A to get disability compensation for this because I was at Camp Lejeune and I believe this is the cause of my cancer. The V.A denied my application because it is't a "presumptive" condition so I have been doing some research on my own. What I found is what I have listed below:
Prostate cancer is linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but its classification differs between benefit programs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not list prostate cancer as a presumptive condition under 38 CFR § 3.309 for disability benefits. However, it is EXPLICITLY INCLUDED for claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA). The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. These chemicals are known carcinogens and are linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer. Benzene exposure has been reported to double the risk of prostate cancer.
This is posted on numerous lawyer websites but I have yet to find the actual bill where they are quoting this from so I can quote it to the person interviewing me for the the appeal. I want to be able to quote the exact page and paragraph it comes from. I have searched to find the wording on it for my appeal but it keeps circling back to the same thing, lawyer websites, and so far I have made zero progress. Where did the lawyers find this statement?
I haven't been able to find a lawyer willing to take up my appeal if need be either. One office told me the reason nobody wants the case; they won't make enough money off of it since the case is somewhat new from the date I filed plus, they further stated by law they are only allowed to get 20% of whatever they can get for me. I'm not out to get some huge settlement, just make V.A take care of it and whatever disability rating I should get because of it.
If anyone has any information on where to find this wording, please let me know. I appreciate any and all help.
Prostate cancer is linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, but its classification differs between benefit programs. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not list prostate cancer as a presumptive condition under 38 CFR § 3.309 for disability benefits. However, it is EXPLICITLY INCLUDED for claims under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA). The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. These chemicals are known carcinogens and are linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer. Benzene exposure has been reported to double the risk of prostate cancer.
This is posted on numerous lawyer websites but I have yet to find the actual bill where they are quoting this from so I can quote it to the person interviewing me for the the appeal. I want to be able to quote the exact page and paragraph it comes from. I have searched to find the wording on it for my appeal but it keeps circling back to the same thing, lawyer websites, and so far I have made zero progress. Where did the lawyers find this statement?
I haven't been able to find a lawyer willing to take up my appeal if need be either. One office told me the reason nobody wants the case; they won't make enough money off of it since the case is somewhat new from the date I filed plus, they further stated by law they are only allowed to get 20% of whatever they can get for me. I'm not out to get some huge settlement, just make V.A take care of it and whatever disability rating I should get because of it.
If anyone has any information on where to find this wording, please let me know. I appreciate any and all help.
Cancer
Camp Lejeune
Disability
Edited 1 d ago
Posted 1 d ago
Responses: 10
Sorry to hear about the cancer diagnosis. I hope all goes well with your treatment.
Regarding your overall question, it looks like the Camp Lejuene Justice Act of 2022 was never passed, but it was incorporated into the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (which was passed). Here's the link to a pdf of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. I pulled this from the official website for U.S. federal legislative information.
https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.pdf
Looks like the important part relevant to you is on page 26 of the pdf, where they list "Reproductive cancer of any type" under the section addressing "Presumption of service connection".
Regarding your overall question, it looks like the Camp Lejuene Justice Act of 2022 was never passed, but it was incorporated into the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 (which was passed). Here's the link to a pdf of the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. I pulled this from the official website for U.S. federal legislative information.
https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ168/PLAW-117publ168.pdf
Looks like the important part relevant to you is on page 26 of the pdf, where they list "Reproductive cancer of any type" under the section addressing "Presumption of service connection".
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Cpl Vic Burk I am familiar with what LTC Kevin B. has provided a link for. I have not been a DAV Service Officer for 10 years, now. Before I hung up my DAV Chapter Certification, it seems to me inquiries were made by individuals to a particular office at Camp Lejuene. The reason I include this is because I feel others may have contacted the command to get documentation that shows what the official statement or responsibility of care for those who were there. It is very vague to me, now. And the final passage of the Bill makes a difference. But you will know what agency to direct a claim for benefit award, if the Veterans Benefit Administration does not see the matter your way. Prayers and fight the good fight because the bar has been raised to make it difficult to win cases with evidence that would have prevailed 20 years ago. But, should you need to file for a successful claim in a different venue, some office at LeJuene should be able to guide you.
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Cpl Vic Burk
PO3 Phyllis Maynard - Thank you for the info. I intend to fight the V.A tooth and nail on this issue. I wonder if they denied the claim hoping I'd not pursue it further. I understand there are a lot of fraudsters out there trying to get disability for things they are not entitled to so the V.A has become very selective about who they award benefits to. so, the waiting begins. First for the phone interview and then more waiting for the decision. We'll see what happens with the appeal.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Cpl Vic Burk my thoughts are with you. I understand the fight to the death, to get one person in power to do the right thing. I filed an OIG on several matters. I provided proof. It all comes down to 1 person in power to do the right thing. Best to you.
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The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) text is part of the larger Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, allowing those exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (Aug. 1953-Dec. 1987) to sue the U.S. government for related illnesses, but you can find specific bill text and related legislation on Congress.gov by searching S.3176 (2021-2022) or S.3237 (2023-2024) for amendments, with the main provisions embedded within Public Law 117-168.
Where to Find the Text:
Congress.gov: This is the official source for federal legislative information. You can find versions of the bill that led to the Act and related amendments.
Search for S.3176 (117th Congress) or the PACT Act (H.R.3967).
Look for Public Law 117-168 (The PACT Act) text, which contains the CLJA provisions.
Official U.S. Code: The text is codified within Title 28 of the U.S. Code as a note preceding Chapter 171, related to the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Key Provisions of the Act (Summary):
Eligibility: Anyone who lived, worked, or was otherwise present at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and suffered specific health conditions.
Covered Conditions: Includes cancers (kidney, liver, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma) and Parkinson's disease, among others.
Purpose: Waives sovereign immunity, allowing claims against the U.S. for negligence related to the water contamination.
Note on Deadlines: While the Act was signed in August 2022, the initial filing deadline for claims has passed (August 10, 2024), but the claims process is ongoing for those who filed, with potential amendments (like S.3237) addressing claimant notifications.
Where to Find the Text:
Congress.gov: This is the official source for federal legislative information. You can find versions of the bill that led to the Act and related amendments.
Search for S.3176 (117th Congress) or the PACT Act (H.R.3967).
Look for Public Law 117-168 (The PACT Act) text, which contains the CLJA provisions.
Official U.S. Code: The text is codified within Title 28 of the U.S. Code as a note preceding Chapter 171, related to the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Key Provisions of the Act (Summary):
Eligibility: Anyone who lived, worked, or was otherwise present at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and suffered specific health conditions.
Covered Conditions: Includes cancers (kidney, liver, bladder, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma) and Parkinson's disease, among others.
Purpose: Waives sovereign immunity, allowing claims against the U.S. for negligence related to the water contamination.
Note on Deadlines: While the Act was signed in August 2022, the initial filing deadline for claims has passed (August 10, 2024), but the claims process is ongoing for those who filed, with potential amendments (like S.3237) addressing claimant notifications.
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Out of my league on this. Tried some searches but got pretty much the same as LTC Kevin B. already posted.
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