Is there anyone else out there with Multiple Sclerosis that served at Camp Lejeune ? Why has it not been added to the diseases list ?

2023-11-08T19:11:47-05:00

I'm posting this question to anyone. I'm hoping someone related to the Nov 8 2023 Town Hall sees it:

Parkinson's is on the list. It is a disease of the central nervous system. MS is also a disease of the CNS. Diagnosis of the disease was made by accident in my case. I had a problem and ended up getting MRI. It showed up on the MRI. I was having symptoms of MS however, I ignored them thinking they were due to getting older. No one in my family has ever had MS as far back as I could research. I did two tours of duty. Time period was 1982-1986, close to three years total at CLNC.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Nov 8 at 2023 7:36 PM

2023-11-08T19:36:25-05:00

Sgt Agnes Jenkins The V.A. won't admit to anything unless there is a bunch of Veterans that served there and ended up with the same thing, and even then they will deny it and hope you die first so they don't have to pay out. I sincerely believe my stomach issues are from Lejeune but the V.A. says there is not history to back up my claim. I hope you get it sorted out, and quick. I wish you the best of luck.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 9 at 2023 5:51 AM

2023-11-09T05:51:51-05:00

With MS, it will be hard to prove Service Related. Right now, the two most likely causes are genetic and environmental, which in this case actually means infections, probably viral. It's not that uncommon.
My buddy Mike had it, eventually killed him. A couple of members of my wife's family are also MS patients.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 9 at 2023 9:39 AM

2023-11-09T09:39:26-05:00

Sgt Agnes Jenkins, MS is a presumptive condition to your military service if it developed within seven years of your discharge, but you are correct that it hasn't been declared one for being stationed at Camp Lejeune.

As to "why isn't it on the list for Camp Lejeune", I know that isn't an answer you want to hear, but there hasn't been adequate or sufficient evidence to determine whether an association exists between the solvent exposure and MS. While MS COULD have been caused by exposure to the contaminants in the water, there is nothing that can link the two aside from a causality view (these contaminants are shown to cause MS) or a incidence view (i.e., MS appears at a higher rate of occurrence in the population of those that were at Camp Lejeune vs the regular population).

After the initial list was developed, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine was requested "To ensure that the clinical guidance for the 15 covered medical conditions listed in Public Law 112-154 is 'scientifically sound'". In addition to MS, many other conditions were evaluated such as ALS, Alzheimer's, ADHD, Parkinson's, etc. and recommendations were made based on available studies and other scientific literature. Parkinson's was recommended for addition to the presumptive list, but "the scientific literature demonstrates that there is inadequate information to associate exposure to solvent contaminated water with ... multiple sclerosis..."*

There are two things regarding Camp Lejune that you should be involved with. The first is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim. You can file a claim through an attorney (there are many) or you can file a claim online through the Department of the Navy's website*. I won't give a recommendation either way as that is up to you.

The second is that regardless if MS is presumptive or not with regards to Camp Lejeune, you need to submit a VA claim. If nothing else (and the claim is denied), then if the presumptive list is updated in the future you can file a supplemental claim to reevaluated the originally denied claim. This is one of the few cases where VA claims can be backdated.
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* MS as a presumptive service-connected https://www.va.gov/MS/Veterans/benefits/What_Are_My_VA_Benefits_for_Multiple_Sclerosis.asp
* Review of VA Clinical Guidance for the Health Conditions identified by the Camp Lejeune Legislation - https://nap.nationalacademies.org/cart/download.cgi?record_id=18991 (free registration to download report)
* CLJA - https://www.navy.mil/clja/

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by Sgt Agnes Jenkins made Nov 10 at 2023 8:13 AM

2023-11-10T08:13:17-05:00

Thank you for your response and advice. I have submitted a claim recently. I forgot that I submitted one years ago. Both have been denied. I do get email notifications when a new condition is added to the list. Thank you for your indepth help Colonel, appreciate it.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Dec 4 at 2023 5:24 PM

2023-12-04T17:24:12-05:00

I would contact one of those law firms that advertise for Camp Lejeune issues and see if they can get it added. Seems like the list has grown since they foud out the water was contaminated. If a shyster lawyer can get a dime they will figure out a way.