Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune): VA Presumptive Condition (Camp Lejeune)
VeteranHQ lists Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune) as a presumptive condition in the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water group. The exposure it is tied to is: Contaminated drinking water: benzene (primary), TCE. The presumption is effective March 14, 2017. It is governed by 38 CFR § 3.309(f); 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7); VA Final Rule, 82 FR 4173 (January 13, 2017); 38 USC § 501(a).
A presumption removes one requirement and one only: the veteran does not have to prove a medical link between the condition and service. Everything else still applies. There must be a current diagnosis, the service has to meet the requirements below, and VA decides the claim on the evidence in the record.
What qualifies: Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune)
- Service era
- August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987
- Service location
- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (including MCAS New River)
- Exposure
- Contaminated drinking water: benzene (primary), TCE
- Effective date
- March 14, 2017
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
Service required for this presumption
No less than 30 days of service, consecutive or nonconsecutive, at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7)(iii) reaches "a veteran, or former reservist or member of the National Guard", so Reserve and National Guard service at Camp Lejeune in that period qualifies, and the 30 days need not be continuous. Service at Camp Lejeune means any service within the borders of the entirety of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Under § 3.307(a)(7)(ii) the disease need only become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service.
About this presumption
Aplastic anemia (bone marrow failure causing pancytopenia) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS, a clonal hematological disorder with dysplastic marrow and risk of transformation to acute leukemia) are presumptively service-connected for Camp Lejeune veterans. Benzene is the primary causal agent, acting as a bone marrow toxin that causes DNA double-strand breaks in hematopoietic stem cells. MDS is classified by WHO 2022 subtype (MDS with single/multi-lineage dysplasia, ring sideroblasts, excess blasts, 5q deletion).
Evidence still needed
A presumption does not remove the evidence requirement. VA still needs a current diagnosis from a medical provider and service records that show the qualifying service above. What it removes is the medical opinion connecting the two.
Service records; CBC showing cytopenias; bone marrow biopsy and aspirate with cytogenetics (FISH, chromosome analysis); hematologist evaluation with WHO MDS subtype classification; transfusion history if applicable.
Controlling legal authority
38 CFR § 3.309(f); 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7); VA Final Rule, 82 FR 4173 (January 13, 2017); 38 USC § 501(a)
Related on VeteranHQ
Questions About Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune) and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune) a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune) as presumptive in the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water group, effective March 14, 2017, under 38 CFR § 3.309(f); 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7); VA Final Rule, 82 FR 4173 (January 13, 2017); 38 USC § 501(a). A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
What service qualifies for the Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune) presumption?
No less than 30 days of service, consecutive or nonconsecutive, at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7)(iii) reaches "a veteran, or former reservist or member of the National Guard", so Reserve and National Guard service at Camp Lejeune in that period qualifies, and the 30 days need not be continuous. Service at Camp Lejeune means any service within the borders of the entirety of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. Under § 3.307(a)(7)(ii) the disease need only become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more at any time after service. Service era: August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987. Service location: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (including MCAS New River).
What evidence is still needed for a Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune) claim?
Service records; CBC showing cytopenias; bone marrow biopsy and aspirate with cytogenetics (FISH, chromosome analysis); hematologist evaluation with WHO MDS subtype classification; transfusion history if applicable. A presumption removes the requirement to prove a medical link to service. A current diagnosis and qualifying service are still required, and VA decides the claim.
Is there a filing deadline for Aplastic Anemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (Camp Lejeune)?
No statutory deadline
VeteranHQ publishes VA rules and the citations behind them. It does not prepare, file, or represent claims, and nothing here is legal advice or a prediction of what VA will decide.