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The Surprising Link Between Sugary Drinks and Heart Disease: A Legal View

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Products Defect Blog.

Health, Large Companies, And Misrepresentation

Accident Coach. The Surprising Link Between Sugary Drinks and Heart Disease: A Legal ViewWe recently did a piece on energy drinks and their brain injury health risks to kids and military personnel here. This is a follow-up delving into recent research exposing something many people were aware of but had little direct proof of. Sugary drinks, like sugar and other products, represent a particular health risk to women. In addition to health risks represented by other types of food and drink, this adds another layer of a need for awareness among the general public. Unfortunately, this latest news should not surprise anyone familiar with how large food processors work.

Large corporate food distributors frequently pad their products with a variety of harmful and not-as-harmful effects. Some cases include ingredients to increase weight, such as water. In other cases, it may include using dyes or gases to create or preserve a specific color; this is especially common among butchers.

Lying About Sugary Drinks To Consumers – Not Okay!

However, some companies decide to stretch their foods with certain ingredients meant to get the eater addicted and coming back from war. In these cases, many companies add sugar, fat, or salt to their products. Each of these added, in addition to the natural state of the product, makes it more likely to cause health problems down the line. You may ask yourself why this matters. After all, such products are not nearly as dangerous as the additives included in products such as cigarettes.

In particular, these additives often include cancer-causing materials or additional nicotine. The dangers of such additives here are simple for anyone to see. That is why they are of so much focus both in the media and in the national consciousness. That is where the public does not include the same Focus as it should on food safety. In many ways, food safety is far more than it was perhaps fifty or a hundred years ago. However, in many ways, food safety and health hazards are significantly different t than they were even two decades ago.

Compare The Health Risks

To properly understand this, we must first include several major statistics for us to consider. We tend to think of smoking because of the severe issues caused by the practice. However, this only paints a portion of the story. Below we will list several significant health hazards caused by various causes.

  • Let’s start with one related to smoking. There are approximately 154,000 annual deaths in the United States caused by lung cancer.

Let’s tie in one that does include smoking and more common food and exercise habits. Almost 650,000 Americans die of heart disease every year. This number is surprising all on its own but also from the fact that this is the number of people killed in the entire Civil War. Heart disease represents one out of every four deaths in this country annually.

The New Study

The new study shows an incredible link between sugary drinks and specific health risks. The study was authored by Cheryl Anderson, interim Family and Public Health chair at the University of California, San Diego. It was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on May 13th. Among the many findings, the researchers found that women who drink one or more sugary drinks daily have a nearly 20% higher risk of heart disease than women who don’t.

And going beyond the traditional focus of just soda, researchers found that other sugary drinks, including fruit juice, also provide a particular risk. Among the many reasons that drinking sugary drinks may cause severe heart implications comes directly from the study.

“It raises glucose levels and insulin concentrations in the blood, which may increase appetite and lead to obesity, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” Anderson said. She added that additional sugar In the blood also could increase cholesterol in the bloodstream and inflammation in the body. Such sugar levels also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. All of these tend to narrow the arteries, potentially developing or exacerbating the effects of heart disease.

Extensive Research Shows A Personal Injury Connection?

And this was not just a fly-by-night study. Overall, the study included over 100,000 female teachers from the state of California. Included in the survey are some astounding statistics. This showed that women who drank one or more sugary drinks per day were 26% more likely to need surgery to restore blood flow and over 20% more likely to have a stroke. The research corrected cases in which an individual drank an occasional sugary drink and those who consumed such a product nearly every day. And even worse for people who drink fruit juices as an alternative to sugary sodas is that such drinks are not safe either.

The study found that women who drink fruit juices are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as women who drink soda. Researchers also correlated the drinking of sugary drinks with relative youth, obesity, and smoking. These combined make a person less likely to have a healthy diet. Furthermore, researchers did not find a direct link between diet drinks and heart disease. However, researchers and the American Heart Association say these are much less desirable than drinking water. Water alone is the number one means of preventing illness for drinkers.

What Are My Legal Options For A Sugary Drink Injury?

This is where your family may need some legal advice. The use of deceptive advertising and marketing by different juice companies and food manufacturers is critical. They may have played a role in how and why you are a loved one developed heart problems. This may also apply to severe health issues caused by consuming certain types of food. The attorneys at the Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys APLC have seen it all.

We have decades of experience battling large corporations that use their relative size and influence to peddle products that are uniquely unhealthy for Americans. In this particular age of looking out for our health, this is the time to stand up for those in need of help. For any information, please call the number below or email us at losangeles@ehlinelaw.com. We offer free consultations and the opportunity to go over your legal rights at no pressure and cost unless we were covered for you. Our many years of experience are here for you. Furthermore, our team offers free visits anywhere in California.

Those we work with agree: they trust Ehline Law for their legal needs. See why our clients swear by our service. In some cases, we offer the cost of medical treatment upfront. No matter what you need, we provide a skilled trainer.

Works Cited:

Top rated injury lawyer, Michael Ehline in Tuxedo Suit

Military Vets and Families: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Service Related Cancer Blog.

Military Vets and Families: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims

Toxic Water at Lejeune?

Ultimate Guide to Understanding Camp Lejeune Water Contamination. If you served at Camp Lejeune, lived on the base, or were a civilian worker, you were likely exposed to toxic substances in the water. Those on the base between 1953 and 1987 could now have developed a serious illness, adult cancer or childhood cancer, and be entitled to financial compensation over the toxic chemicals found.

It’s important to understand what happened at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Your military service helped your country, and now it’s time for the personal injury lawyers at Ehline Law Firm to assist you. A presumptive conditions lawsuit doesn’t affect your VA claims or VA disability benefits eligibility, so please call for a consultation today to discuss your legal rights!

Contaminated Drinking Water Found at Camp Lejeune Marine Base

Camp Lejeune water contamination victims were likely exposed to the contaminated drinking water before 1987. The two main water supply systems on the Camp Lejeune base had chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such compounds are dangerous for humans and are known carcinogens.

They include:

  • Benzene
  • Vinyl Chloride
  • Perchloroethylene (PCE)
  • Tetrachloroethylene
  • Trichloroethylene (TCE).

What are these chemicals involved, and why are they so bad?

Benzene

Benzene is primarily used to make different chemicals for synthetic fibers, resins, nylon, and plastics.

Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride is made when PCE and TCE in the groundwater degrade.

Perchloroethylene (PCE)

Sometimes called PERC, perchloroethylene is used to degrease metals and in dry-cleaning practices. Exposure could lead to irritation of the throat, nose, skin, eyes, and respiratory system. It’s a potential carcinogen and could lead to liver cancer.

Tetrachloroethylene

Tetrachloroethylene is a scouring solvent used to remove oil from fabrics. It can also be a carrier solvent and works like a water repellant. Therefore, many dry-cleaning facilities used it, and one was located near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Trichloroethylene was the preferred solvent to clean metal parts at the time. Therefore, Camp Lejeune water contamination is prevalent because it gets into the groundwater, causes people to become sick, and leads to death.

Why Was It Left for So Many Years?

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry claims that the VOCs in the water wells surpassed the EPA’s limits of what was okay. The contaminated water was initially discovered in 1982. Still, it took three years longer before anyone shut the wells down for the Marines, children, and workers with access to Camp Lejeune contaminated water.

Those in power wanted to hide the fact that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were used on the base, causing the Camp Lejeune water contamination history to be obscured until recently.

However, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry claims that the Camp Lejeune water contamination continued from 1950 until 1987, leaving hundreds of thousands of people, possibly your loved ones, potentially exposed to the toxic chemicals and suffering.

Over the years, scientific and medical evidence has come to light that indicates those toxic chemicals were harmful. Many people exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina have severe health conditions they battle with as they get older.

Military service members and their families could receive disability compensation because of the Camp Lejeune water contamination situation. Ehline Law Firm can assist, requesting your medical records and information about your military service. Those who bathed or used the drinking water and have a listed illness should speak to us and let us seek compensation immediately.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act

Congress passed a bipartisan bill that could help those who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 and were then diagnosed with serious illnesses or cancer. They deserve compensation for their injuries and their disability benefits from the VA.

Unfortunately, many veterans were exposed to toxic drinking water and developed serious conditions. Many vets had their claims denied unfairly. Many pass away waiting for care. This led to additional harm for the survivors who suffered the loss of a loved one.

Overall the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 hopes to allow individuals and veterans to file claims in the US federal court for any financial damages. It’s part of the Honoring Our PACT Act. These people must have lived, been stationed at, exposed in-utero, or worked at Camp Lejeune and used the contaminated water between the years of 1953 and 1987.

Through the PACT Act and Justice Act, you can finally receive compensation for out-of-pocket treatment costs and much more. It’s in your best interest to file a money damages claim and get started today by calling for assistance! Contact us at (833) LETS-SUE.

Camp Lejeune Families Act

Congress passed the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act in 2012 because of the toxic water. Under the legislation, veterans and family members exposed to the contaminated water automatically qualify for some medical benefits.

This Act provides VA health care benefits to the veterans with qualifying conditions, but they must have served on active duty for 30 days at Camp Lejeune. Because of the toxic water, eligible family members are also covered for Camp Lejeune injuries.

Generally, there’s no need to hire Camp Lejeune lawyers, but it’s often easier for Marine Corps veterans to do this. If we establish an attorney-client relationship with you, we can help you get your VA disability benefits and file the Camp Lejeune claim.

What Does It Mean?

The Camp Lejeune water contamination fiasco took a long time to come to light. Many veterans had their disability benefits cut and had to pay out of pocket for health care related to the toxic chemicals in the drinking water.

Now that everyone knows about the contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, they can’t hide the medical evidence indicating that those chemicals found in the water supply were the reason for all those health conditions or other health problems listed below.

Starting the claims process doesn’t affect your disability benefits as a veteran. You could be entitled to financial or disability compensation, and you don’t have to be a veteran.

Family Members, Civilian Workers, and Veterans Exposed at Camp Lejeune Could Be Eligible for Financial Compensation

You could be entitled to disability compensation for the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune if:

  • You were diagnosed with the health issues listed below
  • You served on active duty, worked at, or resided at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987.

The Camp Lejeune water contamination issue is a hot-button topic right now, and we want to make sure you get everything you’re entitled to. Since it doesn’t affect your disability benefits, checking into this and filing a claim over contaminants and certain conditions listed is a smart move.

Severe Illnesses Associated with Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Veterans and their families affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination must have worked or lived at the base for 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987.

It doesn’t have to be consecutive, and you could be entitled to receive health benefits for these medical conditions that are linked to the water at Camp Lejeune:

  • Adult Leukemia
  • Aplastic Anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Liver Cancer
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Kidney Cancer.

These conditions listed above are considered presumptive service connection-related.

Explaining the Eight Diseases in More Detail

Adult Leukemia

Leukemia is blood cell cancer. The bone marrow makes your blood cells; the white ones fight infection, while the red ones carry oxygen to your body’s tissues. There are also platelets to help your blood clot.

When you have leukemia, the bone marrow (spongy tissue inside your bones) creates abnormal white blood cells. They push out the correct blood cells, so your blood can’t circulate and function correctly.

There are four leukemia classifications, which are characterized by how quickly they grow and what blood cell type they affect:

  • Acute leukemia often develops quickly, affecting immature blood cells.
  • Chronic leukemia develops more slowly, affecting mature blood cells.
  • Lymphocytic leukemia affects your lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell.
  • Myeloid leukemia affects your myelocytes, yet another white blood cell type.

Adult leukemia primarily develops in adults from 55 to 64 years old, though it does occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown, but scientists have identified certain risk factors.

They include:

  • Radiation exposure
  • Previous treatments with certain drugs (chemotherapy)
  • Exposure to certain chemicals.

Typically, people experience easy bruising, pale skin, and fatigue when they have it.

Aplastic Anemia and Other Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Aplastic anemia is a sporadic blood disorder that occurs when the bone marrow doesn’t produce enough blood cells. It’s often caused by exposure to radiation and chemicals, certain medications, and cancer.

The symptoms can include easy bleeding, easy bruising, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Treatments consist of immunosuppressive therapy, bone marrow transplants, and blood transfusions.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are conditions affecting the blood and bone marrow. The same things often cause them. However, symptoms vary depending on your syndrome and can include bleeding, bruising, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The same treatments apply, such as bone marrow transplants, blood transfusions, and immunosuppressive therapy.

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer means that malignant cells form in your bladder’s tissues. Risk factors include exposure to toxins, smoking, gender, and age. Older individuals are at a higher risk because their bodies have more time to accumulate mutations in the cells.

Some chemicals found in workplace environments lead to an increased risk of developing the disease. That’s what happened at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The nearby dry-cleaning company used such toxins, which seeped into the groundwater.

There’s no cure for bladder cancer, but early treatment and detection can reduce your symptoms and improve your chances of recovery. Regular screening tests and lifestyle changes are proactive steps people can take if they’re at a high risk of developing this cancer.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer develops in either kidney, though it affects the left one most often. This type of cancer is usually found in adults over 50 years old, and it’s more common in men than in women.

Symptoms can include blood in your urine, weight loss, and back pain. If you don’t treat it soon, cancer may spread to other body parts and become fatal. Treatment often includes surgery to remove the kidney. However, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are also used in most cases.

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a highly aggressive disease and is hard to treat. Your liver is vital and performs crucial functions, such as producing bile to digest food and filtering toxins from your blood. Cancerous cells often spread quickly, which causes extensive damage.

The symptoms of this cancer may include abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. However, it’s so aggressive that the disease is usually fatal to those who get it. Treatment options are slim and include targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is one type of cancer affecting the plasma cells in your body. This causes them to grow uncontrollably, which crowds out the healthy blood cells. It often has severe consequences for the person’s overall health and includes symptoms such as frequent infections, anemia, muscle weakness, and fatigue.

No one knows the exact cause of this condition, but certain risk factors increase your likelihood of developing it. They include being over 65 years old, having a history of multiple myeloma in your family, and being exposed to radiation and certain toxins.

Right now, the disease doesn’t have a cure, but treatments could help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. They include bone marrow transplants, immunotherapy drugs, and chemotherapy. With proper care and treatment, most people with the condition live healthy and happy lives.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

NHL (Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) is a blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Symptoms can vary significantly, depending on how aggressive the tumor is and its location. However, you will likely experience weight loss, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and night sweats.

There’s no cure for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, but treatment options alleviate discomfort and slow its progression. They include radiation and chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplants.

Getting an early diagnosis and collaborating effectively with your healthcare provider to manage your disease is important. With the right support and care, most people live full and long lives.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease affects movement and is a neurological disorder. It’s one of the most common, and you can expect symptoms like slow movements, rigidity, and tremors. There’s no cure right now for this condition, but treatments may improve your quality of life.

Sometimes, surgery is necessary to implant brain stimulation devices deep into your head. They help you control movement better. Scientists are constantly developing new therapies, and researchers believe that a better understanding of this condition can lead to even more effective treatments.

What’s the Presumptive Service Connection?

A presumptive service connection indicates that the Department of Veterans Affairs formally acknowledges that the water at Camp Lejeune was likely responsible for those eight conditions listed above.

When you file lawsuits relating to Camp Lejeune, you must submit medical evidence and medical records demonstrating that your conditions are linked to your military service. However, they require no other documentation.

Other Health Conditions

Camp Lejeune’s water was so toxic that some people might have other presumptive conditions other than adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, and other myelodysplastic syndromes, along with the rest of the list. You may have to show additional information besides medical records, including base housing records and more.

It’s best to hire an attorney to help you through the process.

The drinking water at Camp Lejeune could also lead to:

  • Scleroderma
  • Renal toxicity
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Miscarriage
  • Lung cancer
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Female infertility
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cancer of the central nervous system
  • Prostate cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Cardiac defects.

Health Care Benefits

Veterans and families can receive health care benefits.

The VA health care option pays people for any out-of-pocket costs relating to these conditions (with proof in some cases):

  • Scleroderma
  • Renal toxicity
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Miscarriage
  • Lung cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Kidney cancer
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Female infertility
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Bladder cancer

 

Family Members Getting Benefits

If you’re a family member of a veteran stationed at Camp Lejeune, you must file a claim to receive disability compensation. However, you need to provide supporting documents (evidence).

The Evidence Required

  • Documents proving the relationship to the active duty veteran who was at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more (can include adoption papers, birth certificate, and marriage license)
  • Documents proving you lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 (can include military orders, base housing records, tax forms, and utility bills)
  • Medical records indicating that you’ve got one of the conditions above (must include the date of your diagnosis and that you were treated or are being treated for the illness.)

You must also provide evidence of the paid health care expenses you incurred for the claimed condition during a time period shown below:

  • January 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987 (those who lived at Camp Lejeune during that time get reimbursement for the care received from the Department of Veterans Affairs on/after August 6, 2012, or for two years before the application date)
  • August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1956 (those who lived at Camp Lejeune / MCAS New river during that time get reimbursement for the care received from the Department of Veterans Affairs on/after December 16, 2014, or for two years before the application date for benefits.)

What to Do If You’re Not Sure

Many veterans and their families are confused about the rules on building a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. We all know that veterans are covered, but what about their family members? Ehline Law Firm can listen to your story and determine your options.

How to Choose Camp Lejeune Attorneys

We know that this is a difficult time for you and the family. Filing a lawsuit under the best circumstances is overwhelming and sometimes out of reach for service members.

You must have the support of an experienced team on your side to help you with the Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit. Once we determine that you have a case because you were denied VA benefits and want to get your treatment costs reimbursed, we can establish an attorney-client relationship.

What We Do For You

When searching for lawyers to help with your Camp Lejeune toxic water claim, find a law firm that offers:

  • Free case reviews – Don’t wonder about your legal recourse and rights. Let us find out what happened and if the water caused your health problems.
  • History of success – Ehline Law Firm fights hard to get what you’re entitled to. Health complications from being at the Marine Corps base camp can be costly. Such toxic exposure can’t go unnoticed, and your medical treatment is crucial to your quality of life.
  • Decades of experience – Our law firm has helped thousands of injured clients secure compensation and justice from negligent people.

It’s not easy to learn that your children’s birth defects or your liver cancer could have been caused by you being in the National Guard or Marine Corps. It would help if you took legal action against Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune now, and we can help you gather evidence, such as a physician report, military orders, and more.

File a Claim Relating to the Camp Lejeune Water

When you work with us, we make filing your Camp Lejeune toxic water claim stress-free for military veterans or the family member in charge. If you’ve got a case, through the PACT act or the Justice Act, your health problems could be paid for, and you should receive VA benefits.

We can help with your Camp Lejeune settlement.

What We Do

Our Camp Lejeune lawyers focus on the claims process. Therefore, your Camp Lejeune lawsuit includes the following:

  • Building a strong case with evidence, medical records, and testimony
  • Determining if you’re eligible to file with a free consultation
  • Filing the lawsuit for you
  • Negotiating settlement amounts
  • Presenting the case in court if necessary.

Verdicts and Settlement Amounts for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

A Camp Lejeune lawsuit might result in a financial payout for your injuries in two different ways:

  • Camp Lejeune settlement – Lawyers helping us back east might negotiate a settlement with the defendants, allowing you to receive compensation faster without going to court.
  • Jury verdict – If our legal team and others of counsel can’t reach a settlement amount that is worthy of your time, your case might move to court. A jury and judge might hear the case, determining the compensation amount you get in a verdict. There’s no guarantee of compensation in these situations.

You are ill and served at Camp Lejeune in the Marine Corps in the Eastern District. Now, you’re worried about your life because you were diagnosed with kidney, bladder, or other conditions. A family member might have been exposed in-utero and now has congenital disabilities. We offer the resources and legal help to get families living on military bases the compensation they deserve with this new law called the PACT ACT!

Symptoms You Might Experience after Being at Camp Lejeune

Exposure to water contamination at Camp Lejeune could cause many health problems, such as cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and others. Initial symptoms can include neurobehavioral effects (changes to cognitive functioning and behavior).

You may also experience the following:

  • Cramping
  • Confusion
  • Cholera
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
  • Hepatitis A
  • Headaches
  • Light sensitivity
  • Lack of coordination
  • Numbness in the limbs
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Skin infections (impetigo or dermatitis.).

Many of these symptoms are caused by various cancers, such as kidney cancer, but they relate to other conditions, too. If you served at Camp Lejeune or were a family member of someone stationed there, you should visit a doctor, get a diagnosis, and call us.

Ehline Law Firm Can Help if You Were Exposed to Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune

President Biden will sign this legislation swiftly. And you will have a limited time to bring a civil action. The Camp Lejeune water contamination situation exposed many people to toxic chemicals while living, working, or stationed at the base. There have been many instances where Congress has tried to help veterans, such as through the PACT Act and the Justice Act of 2022.

While the VA has made it easier to get benefits, you may want to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. This includes giving data about your family history and providing confidential or sensitive information about the time you served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.

If you drank or bathed in the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you might want to establish a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if your symptoms are on the presumptive conditions list. You need the best Camp Lejeune attorneys, and Ehline Law Firm is here to help you sue the government over their fault on base water wells. Please call (833) LETS-SUE for a consultation today!

Shoot house USMC Shoot house USMC

Veteran Water Contamination Claim | How to Get the Maximum Compensation

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Service Related Cancer Blog.

Active-duty military veterans must have access to safe drinking water, and no one in the military service anticipates getting a debilitating illness from using polluted water at a military facility.
Veteran Water Contamination Claim and Maximum Compensation

How Can You Maximize Your Contaminated Water Claims?

Toxic Base Water and Getting the Most $$ Revealed by Expert

Unfortunately, thousands of Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 experienced this. Recent studies suggest that other military facilities may share the same water contamination problems. Several long-term medical conditions, including an increased risk of liver failure, kidney cancer, and more, can result from exposure to contaminated water.

Former military veterans may face challenges taking care of themselves and their family members because of this, which can significantly impact their quality of life.

Fortunately, filing a water contamination claim through the veteran disability compensation program can provide disabled veterans with the financial support they need.

You might be eligible for significant compensation if you can link your present medical problem to your time spent serving in the military on active duty. If the VA denies your claim, the expert attorneys at Ehline Law can help you file an appeal.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Before being sent to the Pacific Islands during the Second World War, troops trained at Camp Lejeune, a military base in North Carolina, for amphibious warfare.

Ever since, the base has prepared Marines for every significant US battle and task, such as strategic aircraft, troop recovery, and Lebanon peacekeeping. However, a troubling part of Camp Lejeune’s past has only been brought to light.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry claims that drinking water contamination at Camp Lejeune started in the 1950s and persisted into 1987 when the worst-affected wells were shut down.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, chemical reagents from an off-base launderette, benzene from holding tanks at the base leaked, and other volatile organic compounds got into the groundwater.

During the 1950s to 1980s, thousands of military veterans who resided on the base experienced a variety of severe ailments, including cancer and birth deformities. The committee was tasked with looking into the situation at Camp Lejeune in 2010 and found that the Marine Corps and US Navy knew about the pollution and hid it for years.

Camp Lejeune veterans and their families who resided at the camp frequently developed cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Those who have endured suffering as a result of these conditions are entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering and medical care.

However, for years the Veterans Affairs (VA) handled Camp Lejeune water contamination claims individually and required military members to demonstrate a presumptive service connection. This changed in 2021 when these benefits became Congress-mandated.

What Problems Does Contaminated Drinking Water Cause?

It is essential to know about the dangers posed by contaminated drinking water because these illnesses can potentially cause severe health problems and even death in humans.

Animals and people can both suffer from a variety of health issues as a result of polluted water. Gastroenteritis, a condition caused by an infection in the gastrointestinal tract, is one of the most prevalent health issues.

Vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps are symptoms. Gastroenteritis can, in extreme circumstances, cause dehydration or even death.

Apart from dermatitis and impetigo, exposure to contaminated water can also result in skin diseases. Although these illnesses can still be unpleasant, they are typically considerably less severe than gastroenteritis.

Additionally, other infections could occur as a result of consuming polluted water. This includes hepatitis A, cholera, and dysentery. Another more serious effect of consuming toxic chemicals found in Camp Lejeune drinking water is neurobehavioral changes.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act

Unsuspecting citizens and military veterans should not have been exposed to harmful chemicals, and the Camp Lejeune water contamination could have been avoided.

In 2021 following an investigation by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a bill was passed that allowed veterans and family members the opportunity to receive VA benefits for exposure to toxic chemicals in contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

This means that all vets, members of the armed forces who are currently on active military duty, and their family members will now be able to file legal claims. They can receive compensation for any illnesses and disabilities brought on by exposure to volatile organic compounds in the toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

The compensation couldn’t come soon enough for thousands of vets and their families, and the VA alleges that more than 2,400 Camp Lejeune benefits claims are already pending in their severely overloaded system.

Pursuing Disability Benefits for Complications Caused by Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

US army members may have been exposed to polluted water at locations other than Camp Lejeune. No matter where the exposure occurred, any vet who can prove that their present disability is caused by consuming contaminated water may be eligible for disability benefits.

Veterans Must Prove That They Were Exposed to Contaminated Water While They Served at Camp Lejeune

Demonstrating that contaminated water exposure occurred while the veteran was on active duty is a crucial component of this strategy. In rare circumstances, acquiring proof of service in a location or on a base with documented water concerns may be necessary.

You can get assistance from a VA-accredited lawyer in gathering the evidence needed to prove your case and receive benefits related to contaminated drinking water.

The VA may occasionally assume a presumptive service connection for specific incapacitating symptoms linked to exposure to polluted water. A former veteran who spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 could be considered eligible for VA disability benefits.

What Conditions Automatically Qualify?

The following eight presumptive conditions qualify for these benefits:

  1. Kidney cancer
  2. Liver cancer
  3. Bladder cancer
  4. Adult leukemia
  5. Parkinson’s disease
  6. Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  7. Multiple myeloma
  8. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Remember that it is essential to retain your medical records as proof when pursuing a Camp Lejeune claim. We’ll discuss these presumptive conditions in the section below.

Kidney Cancer

Any of the two kidneys can form cancerous growths. However, the left kidney is the one that is most commonly affected. People over 50 are typically affected by kidney cancer, which tends affectsore than women.

This type of cancer can spread to other body parts and be lethal if not treated. Surgical procedures are often used to remove the kidney in question. Patients also undergo radiation and chemotherapy.

Symptoms of kidney cancer include:

  • Back pain
  • Blood in the urine
  • Weight loss.

Liver Cancers

One of the most malignant and difficult-to-treat cancers is liver cancer. The liver is a vital organ that carries out numerous essential tasks, such as removing toxins from the blood and creating bile to aid digestion.

Cancerous cells can easily invade the liver and do significant harm.

Symptoms of liver cancers include:

  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Appetite loss
  • Abdominal pain.

Surgery, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy are typically used to treat this condition.

Bladder Cancer

Another cancer that is typically seen in veterans exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination is bladder cancer.

Gender, smoking status, age, and environmental pollutants present the most prevalent risk factors.

Because their bodies have had more time to form cellular mutations, older people are at a higher risk of developing bladder cancer.

Adult Leukemia

Leukemia is a cancer or mutation of the blood cells. Usually, the bone marrow produces blood cells.

Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues, platelets aid with blood clotting, and white blood cells combat disease. However, your bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells when you have leukemia.

Although it can happen at any age, adult leukemia is most prevalent in people between 55 and 64. Even though the precise cause of adult leukemia is unclear, some risk factors were found. These may include exposure to radiation, prior use of specific medications, and exposure to toxic substances.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that impairs motor movement.

This medical condition is characterized by tremors, stiffness, and sluggish movements. Parkinson’s disease currently has no known cure, but some therapies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Implants that stimulate the deep brain may sometimes be inserted surgically to help control movement.

Aplastic Anemia and Other Myelodysplastic syndromes

If you have aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndromes because of Camp Lejeune water contamination, you should contact an attorney to pursue disability compensation.

Aplastic Anemia

An uncommon blood condition known as aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells.

Cancer, specific drugs, and exposure to radiation or toxic substances, or cancer can result in this condition.

Symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Easy bruising.
Myelodysplastic syndromes

A category of diseases known as myelodysplastic syndromes typically affects the blood and bone marrow. Again, exposure to toxic chemicals could lead to the development of these syndromes.

Multiple Myeloma

A form of cancer known as multiple myeloma causes the plasma cells to grow uncontrollably and drive out healthy cells.

It may hurt a person’s general health and cause symptoms such as:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Tiredness
  • Recurrent infections
  • Anemia.

There is currently no cure for this condition, but certain medicines can help patients manage their symptoms. These might consist of immunotherapy or chemotherapy treatments and bone marrow transplants in some cases.

Most sufferers can live happy, healthy lifestyles well into adulthood with the proper treatment and care.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

The position and severity of the cancerous tumor will have a significant impact on the symptoms of the condition, but typical symptoms often include the following:

  • Exhaustion
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Night sweats
  • Weight loss.

Although NHL has no known treatment, there are ways to minimize symptoms while also slowing tumor growth. Chemotherapy and radiation are frequently used in these therapies, either alone or in combination with immunotherapy or stem cell transplants.

Why Is Presumptive Service Connection Important?

As required by Congress, a presumptive service connection denotes that the Veterans Affairs has recognized a link between the abovementioned eight presumptive health conditions and the time served at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987.

The VA typically demands proof of a connection between a veteran’s health and military service. In essence, you must demonstrate that your condition had an equal chance of being brought on by hazardous exposure while serving in the military.

You shouldn’t need to present any additional documentation to receive benefits for these conditions.

The two basic requirements for eligibility are having medical evidence confirming a diagnosis for one or more of the eight presumptive conditions and residing in a region that received contaminated water. Members of the Reserve and National Guard are also eligible.

It’s important to note that new diseases have been added to the Agent Orange presumptive list over time. Additionally, the Camp Lejeune presumptive list could be extended soon, given the continued pressure from veterans advocacy groups on Congress to take action.

How to Ensure That You’re Getting the Highest Possible VA Rating

It’s essential to check that the VA assigns your rating correctly because this may affect the amount of VA disability benefits you can obtain.

Leukemia, for instance, is only given a 100 percent rating by the VA when it is active or while the person is receiving treatment for it. The VA updates your disability rating six months after completing your treatment.

Depending on which is more advantageous for the sufferer, leukemia may alternatively be classified as plastic anemia. Understanding the system’s functions will help you avoid typical errors that could lead to a low disability rating.

Applying for Disability Compensation

Vets who are successful in their Camp Lejeune groundwater contamination claims may be awarded up to $3,000 per month with a perfect rating.

Additionally, if your disability is severe, you may be entitled to Special Monthly Compensation. Individual Unemployability may also be used to obtain the highest pay possible without a perfect rating. Your attorney will help you navigate the system and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

A Serious Injury Attorney Who is a Marine Vet Can Help You File Your Veteran Water Contamination Claim

Veterans and family members exposed to toxic substances can file a Camp Lejeune claim to cover all paid health care expenses. If the VA wrongly rejects claims, we will work hard to file an appeal, proving that you suffered harm by supplying the VA medical records. Compensation doesn’t just get you the money you need to deal with conditions such as liver cancer. It also holds the VA liable for not keeping Camp Lejeune veterans safe.

The truth is that exposure to polluted water at bases like Camp Lejeune is an underrated risk linked with military service and is now being addressed in the United States District Court and as VA Disability Compensation. Even National Guard Members and other United States government employees may soon have rights to medical expenses from health risks over Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply, including for adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, and more.

Fortunately, the dedicated attorneys at Ehline Law can assist you in preparing for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits and VA Disability claims. So regardless of whether you automatically qualify or must provide additional proof tying your illness to your service at Camp Lejeune, the families affected can rest easy knowing we are in their corner. We can even help you get or locate the physician report needed to identify the cause of your disability claims and unpaid bills for treatment. (Ex: family members with lung cancer, families exposed to congenital disabilities from leaking toxic water storage tanks related to Camp Lejeune, and even peacekeeping operations while deployed from there, etc.).

Schedule an Appointment Today to Learn More About Camp Lejeune and other water contamination Claims and other contaminants by Dialing (833) LETS-SUE! Form an attorney-client relationship with attorneys who are also inactive marines today!

Learn more at AgentOrange.Org

Three New Conditions to Agent Orange Presumptive List

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Service Related Cancer Blog.

Agent Orange and Its Three New Presumptive Conditions

Ultimate Guide to Understanding Agent Orange and Presumptive Conditions

Three new conditions were just added to the list of presumptive conditions to apply for VA benefits, in addition to the PACT ACT.

These certain additional conditions are:

  1. Bladder cancer
  2. Hypothyroidism
  3. Parkinsonism.

The Department of Veterans Affairs uses these presumptive diseases to establish eligibility to provide health services to Vietnam War veterans exposed to a chemical herbicide.

As a result, many veterans, including Thailand veterans and Vietnam veterans, now qualify for VA disability compensation if their exposure to the dangerous Agent Orange led to bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, or symptoms such as Parkinson’s Disease.

The fact that Congress, not the VA, added these conditions to the Agent Orange presumptive list makes a move exceptional. Hypothetical conditions are typically established by the VA based on a substantial amount of supporting data from scientific investigations. Agent Orange’s presumptive conditions are included in this list as a part of a measure contained in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

If you served in Vietnam or inside of Thailand, close to the Korean DMZ, during certain time periods, you might be entitled to special protections and compensation. Vietnam War-era Veterans and others previously denied benefits for these presumptive conditions will reportedly have their cases automatically reviewed “without the need to refile a claim,” and “VA will send letters to impacted Veterans and survivors.”

Does your child have spina bifida or other birth defects? Did you know in some cases, even offspring may qualify for certain disability benefits? Vietnam War Veterans with health issues, especially caused by Agent Orange exposure, also have less than two years to file a claim. Learn about these conditions and what to do next to take for the presumptive health conditions caused by Agent Orange under this new law!

Why Does the Three Conditions Move Help Vietnam-era Veterans?

To kill its enemy’s crops during the Vietnam War, the United States employed a number of herbicides as chemical weapons. They intended to cut off their food supply and burn the jungle’s vegetation down to improve visibility and ward off ambush attempts.

Agent Orange was one of these chemical weapons and is arguably the most well-known of the “rainbow herbicides” used in the war. It had a mixture of two herbicide agents and a highly toxic dioxin contaminant.

As a result, veterans developed severe health conditions. However, they were denied benefits for several illnesses. These new presumptive conditions, added alongside Parkinsonism, are some of the most common cancers and sicknesses for vets.

So this is HUGE for thousands of families across the US, and we applaud lawmakers for passing this bill further compensated for service in Vietnam and its affects on adults and children.

What’s VA’s Presumption of Agent Orange Exposure?

The Agent Orange Act, established in 1991, was passed in response to the numerous Vietnam-era heroes who had health issues due to herbicide exposure. Under the presumption of exposure, the VA must presume that those who served during specific time periods in specific areas were exposed, in one way or another, to the dangerous substance.

The presumption of exposure replaced the service connection requirement, so they don’t have to prove the in-service event or injury.

Instead, any veteran who served in these locations and timeframes can get VA health care:

  • The Republic of Vietnam (January 9, 1962 – May 7, 1975)
  • Thailand (January 9, 1962 – June 30, 1976)
  • Laos (December 1, 1965 – September 30, 1969)
  • Cambodia’s Mimot or Kreak, Kampong Cham Province (April 16, 1969- April 30, 1969)
  • Guam or American Samoa (January 9, 1962 – July 30, 1980)
  • Johnston Atoll (January 1, 1972 – September 30, 1977)
  • Korean demilitarized zone or DMZ (September 1, 1967 – August 31, 1971.).

Presumptive Service Connection for Conditions related to Agent Orange Exposure

The Agent Orange Act then established a presumption of service connection. Those who claim a presumptive service connection do not need to provide medical evidence linking their ailment to their military service to get disability benefits.

The VA will approve the service connection if the service fits one of the above mentioned conditions. The Act also granted the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs the authority to add more illnesses to this list gradually.

VA Disability Benefits that Apply in Cases for Exposition to Agent Orange

If the VA presumed service connection, it could benefit people with these Agent Orange Exposure-related medical conditions:

  • Amyloidosis
  • Chronic B-cell Leukemias
  • Chloracne
  • Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (high blood sugar levels)
  • Diseases associated with white blood cells
  • Hodgkin’s disease
  • Hypertension
  • Ischemic Heart Disease
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Respiratory Cancer
  • Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

New Presumptive Conditions Added to the VA’s List

Approving the 2021 NDAA indicates that Congress has bypassed VA and established the connection between three new medical problems and exposure to Agent Orange by statute.

The following THREE NEW conditions are now included in the list of presumptive conditions and are subject to VA benefits:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Hypothyroidism: It’s a medical condition that defines when a thyroid gland does not produce the right amount of certain hormones.
  • Parkinson’s-like symptoms: A progressive disorder that can permanently affect people’s lives and cause tremors, impaired speech, and muscle movement.

More Locations and Conditions Added to the VA’s Presumptive List

Besides the 2021 NDAA, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act) 0f 2021 was enacted this July, expanding the Agent Orange presumptions to add more time periods, locations, and conditions.

The new conditions include in the presumptive list:

  • Hypertension or high blood pressure
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): A condition that defines when there’s abnormal protein in the blood

The new locations include:

  • C-123 aircraft. It applies to any veteran or reservist personnel who often had contact with them.

Eligibility for Agent Orange Benefits

Unfortunately, being terminally ill or suffering a condition added to the Agent Orange presumptive list isn’t enough. A Vietnam veteran, for example, must also demonstrate they meet the eligibility criteria with proper documents, including their medical record.

Moreover, applicants will be asked to prove that they are veterans of the military of Vietnam who served at a particular Thai Air Force base. In other words, they must show other eligibility requirements to validate that the physical or psychological conditions occurred during active duty service or while in service aboard a US military vessel.

However, a qualified lawyer can assist all Vietnam veterans in understanding the eligibility criteria and handling the complicated process behind these cases.

What Can Ehline Law Do for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange?

When seeking compensation to cover medical costs after being exposed to Agent Orange while serving in the military, Ehline Law can be Vietnam-era veterans’ best ally. Are you a veteran who suffered exposure to Agent Orange and want to get benefits under the Agent Orange presumptive list? It would help if you managed a lot of paperwork and records.

Thankfully, we’re here to help you understand the PACT ACT regulations if you were stationed in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa, and even the Johnston Atoll! For many Vietnam vets stationed outside of Vietnam yet became “toxic-exposed” to Agent Orange, this is long overdue justice!

Schedule a Free Consultation with Serious Injury Lawyers in Los Angeles

Don’t hesitate to call us and set up a free consultation if you are exposed to toxic chemicals. Our law firm is ready to help you file that Agent Orange claims to get the compensation you deserve if you have been affected by herbicide exposure. You only need determination and your medical records!

Thanks to the PACT ACT, you may be eligible for benefits far beyond what would make you eligible for VA disability. The presumptive condition list is what vets have been looking for, so it’s not just about to burn pits, and Agent Orange has seriously damaged millions of people.

What we learn about your conditions can result in long-term success in your claim for damages. So contact us today at (213) 596-9642 for a free legal consultation and to discuss forming an attorney-client relationship.

Mike Ehline Mike Ehline

The Agent Orange in Vietnam Program – Claims Under New PACT Act

Written by MichaelEhline on . Posted in Service Related Cancer Blog.

Agent Orange and Its Destruction

Ultimate Guide to Understanding Agent Orange and the PACT ACT

The Agent Orange in Vietnam Program - Claims Under New PACT Act
Michael Ehline, inactive United States Marine, Los Angeles, personal injury attorney

In 1960, the Diem government of South Vietnam held arms against the communist-backed North Vietnam forces. At the time, US assistance to the Diem government was in the form of military advisors, financial aid, and logistics support. However, the US soon realized that the Diem government would not be able to hold off the Viet Cong troops for much longer, urging the need for a US intervention.

One of the significant challenges during the Vietnam war was the dense foliage and forestation that the enemy troops would hide behind. Such tactics made it difficult for the South Vietnamese forces to fight. In the meantime, US military experts proposed a defoliation program where they would use toxic herbicides to remove foliage eliminating cover for the enemies, improve visibility in dense canopied jungles, and destroy food crops cutting off the enemy’s food supply. They didn’t anticipate the lingering effects of the defoliation program that would affect millions of veterans and Vietnamese victims.

Ehline Law and our toxic exposure attorneys help veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other harmful substances during the Vietnam War or their service at Camp Lejeune and other military bases under the PACT Act. If you’re a veteran suffering from Agent Orange-related illnesses from your service during the Vietnam war, you may qualify for compensation. Contact our attorneys now for a free consultation on your case.

Operation Ranch Hand: US Intervention in Vietnam War

In November 1961, to combat the advancing Viet Cong forces, the Kennedy administration started Operation Ranch Hand, an aerial spraying herbicide program formally directed by the South Vietnam government.

During the period 1962 and 1971, according to the US Air Force records, the US military sprayed over 45 million liters of Agent Orange and about 28 million liters of other herbicides over 24% of Southern Vietnam. The concentration was more than 20 times what farmers would use for agricultural purposes. Due to its toxicity, Agent Orange destroyed 5 million acres of upland and mangrove forests and about 500,000 acres of crops.

The US used C-123, a large cargo plane, to dump 95% of the herbicides across more than 3,181 villages while they used trucks, helicopters, and their hands to spray the remaining. By 1972, the US and the Vietnamese stopped using Agent Orange, and production halted. They incinerated any remaining Agent Orange stored at Johnston Atoll and other bases, ending the use of Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Aftermath of Contaminated Agent Orange

In 1965 and 1968, the Bionetic Research Laboratories conducted several tests on lab rats to determine the effects of Agent Orange, particularly, Dioxin, on the test animals. The lab animals started showing signs of malformation. The more tests occurred, the similar the results. The test reports were brought to the attention of the White House, resulting in the suspension of the use of toxic herbicides.

When the Vietnam veterans returned from the war, they started to develop symptoms associated with Dioxin contamination. Cases began to arise of wives of military personnel suffering from miscarriages or giving birth to children with birth defects. The veterans were unaware of the potential human health problems from their military operations during the Vietnam war.

The US government promised to compensate and care for their veterans when they returned. However, out of the 39,419 claims filed, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) only paid 489 victims. It was challenging for the victims to prove their service-related illness derived from using Vietnam-era herbicides. In 1991, the United States government passed the Agent Orange Act allowing the VA to declare certain conditions as presumptive, making it easier for claimants to receive compensation for those illnesses.

The effect of the toxic herbicides was far more devastating to the Vietnamese citizens than to the US Vietnam-era veterans. According to the Vietnam Red Cross, more than 3 million people suffer from the deadly herbicide’s effects, while approximately 1 million face disabilities or serious birth defects.

Aspen Institute’s Agent Orange in Vietnam Program

The Aspen Institute started a multi-year project known as the Agent Orange in Vietnam program aimed at addressing the health issues, and the environmental contamination of the herbicides sprayed in Vietnam during the war.

The Agent Orange in Vietnam program promoted discussion within the US policy about using Dioxin during chemical warfare. The Agent Orange in Vietnam program also aimed to strengthen the ties between the United States and Vietnam. The U.S.-Vietnam Dialogue Group identified ways to combat the effects of the US military’s defoliation campaign.

This initiative is led by the Aspen Institute, comprising researchers, policymakers, business leaders, and other important figures. In May 2011, Charles Bailey became the new Director of the Agent Orange in Vietnam program, conveyed a meeting where the relevant stakeholders discussed the progress made on the program.

VA Disability Compensation for Exposure to Agent Orange

Veterans may qualify for compensation if they’re suffering from service-related illnesses. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs assesses the facts of each claim to determine eligibility.

To be eligible for VA benefits, you must meet both of the following requirements:

  • An illness is resulting from exposure to Agent Orange.
  • We were on active duty at a location exposing you to Agent Orange.

Although the requirements are not long, proving your Agent Orange-related illness is challenging. The VA has a list of presumptive diseases that they believe result from exposure to Agent Orange, and anyone suffering from those diseases does not have to prove their illness. The VA adds a disease to its list of presumptive diseases when medical and scientific evidence shows that the sickness results from Agent Orange exposure.

The following are the types of cancers in the VA’s list of presumptive diseases that they cover:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Hodgkin’s disease
  • Myeloma
  • Respiratory cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Chronic B-cell Leukemia, and more.

Besides cancer, here are some of the other illnesses on the VA’s presumptive disease list:

  • Diabetes mellitus type 2
  • Hypothyroidism
  • AL amyloidosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Peripheral neuropathy, and many others.

To get disability benefits for your service-related illness, you must file a claim for disability compensation and submit evidence, including medical records showing you have Agent Orange-related illness and military records showing your time in service and how you came into contact with the toxic herbicide.

In cases where your illness is not on the VA’s list of presumptive diseases, you must submit one of the following types of evidence:

  • Evidence suggests that your medical problems started while in service or got worse because of it.
  • Scientific or medical evidence that your illness is due to Agent Orange exposure. It could include a published medical or research study paper.

You would also need to submit military records, such as separation papers which show the time and place of your service.

Even if you provide all of the documents, there is no guarantee that the VA will accept your claims. However, with an experienced toxic exposure attorney by your side, you can increase your chances of securing compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law

In August 2022, Congress passed the PACT Act, expanding the list of presumptive diseases for war veterans, especially those exposed to Agent Orange, making it easier for them to receive benefits. However, even with the PACT Act, you may find it challenging to recover compensation for your service-related illnesses.

If you’re a veteran suffering from a service-related illness from exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam war, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE to learn your rights as a war veteran. Your condition may not be on the VA’s list of presumptive diseases for Agent Orange.

However, our attorneys have the skill and knowledge to prove the connection between your deteriorating health condition and your military service in Vietnam. We will help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve to pay for your health care.