I learned a lot about Camp LeJeune (CLNC) water issues when I was doing disability work at Naval Medical Center San Diego for the Wounded Warrior Battalion.
Any veteran receiving VA benefits who is signing up with an attorney for the CLNC water case needs to read Will I Lose My Benefits? Camp Lejeune Litigants May Get Hit With Offset, which is written by a true expert who is always looking out for the best interest of veterans.
This is a huge issue for any service-member receiving VA benefits. I learned a lot about the CLNC water issues when I was doing disability work at Naval Medical Center San Diego. The ones that were the worse hit were the civilian family members and especially the children born with birth defects, which were through the roof at CLNC during the timeframe when they were poisoning the water. They had no way to receive compensation.
Veterans, however, whose medical conditions for VA disability benefits are linked to the CLNC water issues may potentially have their benefits offset by any recovery from the CLNC Water trust fund. And if the attorney takes 30-40% of the recovery, you could be left off worse than if you just kept your VA benefits intact.
I do not know enough to opine on the likelihood of this. But any veteran who is receiving VA benefits and is applying for compensation from the CLNC fund needs to ensure they have an attorney who discusses this issue with them and how it impacts them overall. Again, this does not apply to any civilians harmed. Only veterans who are in receipt of VA benefits that are likely tied to the CLNC water issue.
