Navy corpsman serving at Camp Lejune

[laldoroty]

I am 79 years old, Live in Canada but served at Camp Lejune NC from 1959-1961. A few years ago I found out that agent orange got into the water there. At this time my Platelet level started going down and this past January my VA doctor in Florida found my WBC and lymphocytes levels were above normal range. Back in Canada this July they found this levels more than doubled in 2 1/2 months. They still are going up but not as fast. I am doing another round of tests in 2 weeks. i seem to be normal in other respects other than not sleeping well and a little less energy. I have just applied for VA benefits a few days ago and will see where that leads. I'm very new to this so if anyone has any suggestions or advice let me know.

[GMa27]

Sounds like you spend winters in Florida? I live in southeast Florida. We have a Veterans Hospital near but I would not use them for CLL. We have great hematologist oncologist but also have 2 centers for CLL. Tampa /Moffitt and Jacksonville/Mayo. Not sure how your insurance works. Good to get second opinion. Good luck! 💕

[Spacee in reply to GMa27]

My husband is in a trial at Moffitt. It is for 70 and over and a white count of 100. Since it is a trial, the medicine is of no cost. Not sure if his insurance (if he has Medicare plus supplement) would cover the Bone Marrow Biopsy and all the scans.

This trial is to see if Keytruda and Ibrutinib used early will halt CLL. Rather than wait for a progression of the disease.

So far is working well with only about 3 weeks of fatigue. Still working some and playing golf and we just moved and his energy level is great.

Linda

[GMa27 in reply to Spacee]

I thought trials covered all tests/costs.

[Spacee in reply to GMa27]

I think some do and some do not. And I am only going by that my hubby’s does not covered the BMB and scans. Since the Keytruda is $95K an infusion, it is still a really good thing for us.

[lankisterguy Volunteer in reply to GMa27]

Hi GMa27,

The trials that I have participated in only provided the (unapproved) drug being studied. All other drugs and very frequent testing were deemed "Medically Necessary" and charged to my insurance. If they had resulted in copay's I would have been outraged.

-

I found this attitude uncomfortable since having 5 CT Scans in one year was NOT necessary, and I plan to negotiate with the drug companies BEFORE agreeing to enter a future trial.

-

Len

[GMa27 in reply to lankisterguy]

Wow...I thought everything was covered. That is sad.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

laldoroty, welcome to our CLL confab. There are several other posts by people asking about V.A. and CLL---here is a link to as many as I could find for now.

You will see your own post from 9 hrs. ago, that didn't get any response and a list of others. I hope you will find some help and that there will be others who will reply in regard to your question.

Your thought about applying to V.A. for CLL has been discussed because it has been proven to be related agent orange---I can't say for sure all have been approved, but it is smart to investigate your situation for yourself.

Best wishes.

The Link:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

[Shepherd777]

I was at Camp Lejeune in 1966 and again in 1968. All total of about 8 months. We called it Out House Bay. I thought the water tasted horrible as did most so we only drank it as coffee. No side effects here, but for those who have them I don't doubt it at all.

Ps: As a two tour Viet Nam Marine V et, I must add I love our Navy corpsman, you guys are the greatest and showed us as much compassion as our own mothers. Semper Fi.

[SlowCLL]

Laldoroty,

The rules on disability benefits associated with Camp Lejeune water pollution are straight forward. If you can prove you were on base for thirty days during that period and are later diagnosed with CLL, the disability eligibility rules contain a "rebuttable presumption" that the water pollution is the cause. You do not have to prove a connection between you CLL and the water, you just have to prove the diagnosis and the 30 days on base, and the days do not have to be consecutive. Processing the papers can take a couple of months. If you encounter any problems feel free to contact me.

Semper Fi

Owen

[michaelmac]

Hi

don't know if you have read any of the links pertaining to CLL and presumptive connection with Agent Orange. SlowCLL reply seems to be comprehensive and definitive. I'm not sure whether living in Canada or not will get involved ,,,,, we're assuming here that you are a US citizen. I served with a couple of people who were not US citizens and I have no idea what this might relate to getting benefits.

Dealing with the VA can be daunting. But, if you stick with it and you meet the criteria you should be able to get approved for both medical and disability benefits. If you belong to the VFW they have people who will help you file your claim etc. The person I dealt with was very knowledgeable and help me with securing my benefits. Perhaps the Legion also may have this type of help available. The only problem that I see there is you may face challenges being in Canada,,,,,, you may have some problems contacting these people. If nothing else you should get your claim file because the filing date is when your benefits would start if you qualify. Even if you have to go back and add to your claim ,,,,, your benefits will still start on that date. If you have any other questions about my experience,,,, filing,, please don't hesitate to private message. Just click on my icon and it will take you to a messaging center.

Good luck on your journey

I hope everybody else is having a good day/week

[DonnaMCTX]

I have a friend who was stationed at LeJune while in the marines. She did not develop CLL but other cancers. The VA should be able to assist. Advocate and document. Let us know how you do.

[SlowCLL in reply to DonnaMCTX]

Donna,

What follows is an excerpt from the federal regulations covering the Camp Lejeune water pollution crises. As you can see the regs cover a long period of time and many forms of cancer.

Owen

§ 17.36(b)(6).

(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:Camp Lejeune means any area within the borders of the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina.

Camp Lejeune veteran means any veteran who served at Camp Lejeune on active duty, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(21), in the Armed Forces for at least 30 (consecutive or nonconsecutive) days during the period beginning on August 1, 1953, and ending on December 31, 1987.

A veteran served at Camp Lejeune if he or she was stationed at Camp Lejeune, or traveled to Camp Lejeune as part of his or her professional duties.

Covered illness or condition means any of the following illnesses and conditions:

(i)Esophageal cancer;

(ii)Lung cancer;

(iii)Breast cancer;

(iv)Bladder cancer;

(v)Kidney cancer;

(vi)Leukemia;

(vii)Multiple myeloma;

(viii)Myelodysplastic syndromes;

(ix)Renal toxicity;

(x)Hepatic steatosis;

(xi)Female infertility;

(xii)Miscarriage;

(xiii)Scleroderma;

(xiv)Neurobehavioral effects; and

(xv)Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

(c) Limitations. For a Camp Lejeune veteran, VA will assume that a covered illness or condition is attributable to the veteran's active duty service at Camp Lejeune unless it is clinically determined, under VA clinical practice guidelines, that such an illness or condition resulted from a cause other than such service.

[Blue2018]

🙏🏾♥️

[michaeledward]

See the following link: va.gov/disability/eligibili...

Can I get disability benefits from VA?

You may be able to get disability benefits if you meet all of the requirements listed below.

Both of these must be true. You:

Served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987, and

Didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military

And you must have a diagnosis of one or more of these presumptive conditions:

Adult leukemia

Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes

Bladder cancer

Kidney cancer

Liver cancer

Multiple myeloma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Parkinson’s disease

Who’s covered?

Veterans

Reservists

Guardsmen

You didn't note your condition. But assuming you have CLL, do not let that stop you from contesting if you get an adverse decision from the VA inasmuch as CLL is basically synonomous with NHL for the purposes of applying for VA benefits. At least it is due to exposure to Agent Orange and I assume it would also be for exposure to the water contamination at Camp Lejune.

[laldoroty in reply to michaeledward]

Thanks for your reply, I was diagnosed with CLL this past September and during my 2+ years at LeJune at least 1 1/2 years on the actual base. I applied for VA benefits last we and will hope for the best. I will keep you updated when I hear from them.

Leo

[michaeledward]

Good luck!