Local Veterans Services officer offers updated information concerning benefits and claims
David Batchelder, Carter County Veterans Services Officer, issued an update on Tuesday for veterans and their families, to notify them of changes and information concerning benefits and claims.
“There was a change a couple of years ago that I want to ensure veterans and their families are aware of,” Batchelder said. “In 2012 the Veterans Administration (VA) acknowledged that anyone stationed at the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina from January 1, 1957 through December 31, 1987 may have been exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene and other chemicals. Veterans have to have been assigned to Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the designated period to qualify for any benefits due to exposure to contaminated water.”
“There are several conditions the VA recognizes that can be caused by this exposure,” he added. “Veterans with one of these conditions are eligible for enrollment in the VA health care system and may also be eligible for disability compensation.”
The 15 conditions recognized by the VA as caused by this exposure to contaminated water are bladder cancer, miscarriage, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, esophageal cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, female infertility, neurobehavioral effects, hepatic steatosis, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, kidney cancer, renal toxicity, leukemia, scleroderma, and lung cancer.
“I’d also like to urge anyone who filed a claim from May to August of this year who hasn’t heard anything from the VA yet to contact me so we can check on the status of your claim,” Batchelder said.
“If you have questions concerning any of your veterans benefits please call the Carter County Veterans Service office at 542-1824,” he added. “Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Wednesday afternoons are reserved to assist veterans that are unable to come to the office but need assistance with a claim.”