Bladder Cancer (Camp Lejeune): VA Presumptive Condition (Camp Lejeune)
VeteranHQ lists Bladder Cancer (Camp Lejeune) as a presumptive condition in the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water group. The exposure it is tied to is: Contaminated drinking water: trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, vinyl chloride, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE). 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: Bladder Cancer (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: trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, vinyl chloride, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE)
- Effective date
- March 14, 2017
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
- Diagnostic code
- 7528
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. This compensation presumption is for veterans, reservists and National Guard members only. A separate VA program may pay for or reimburse health care for a FAMILY MEMBER, and its conditions are all required: the person must be or have been the birth or adopted child, married spouse, or otherwise a legal dependent of a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River; must have lived there, or have been in utero while their mother lived there, for at least 30 days total between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987; and must apply for and be approved under current law. Having worked on the base is not a qualifying basis for that program.
About this presumption
Veterans and service members who served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 were exposed to contaminated drinking water containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — primarily trichloroethylene (TCE, a degreaser), perchloroethylene (PCE, from dry cleaning operations), benzene (a petroleum product), vinyl chloride (a TCE/PCE degradation product), and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene. Bladder cancer is one of the 8 designated presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune veterans. Benzene and vinyl chloride are established human bladder carcinogens.
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.
DD-214 or service records confirming duty at Camp Lejeune, NC, with dates of service falling within August 1953–December 1987; minimum 30 days service required; pathology confirming bladder cancer (cystoscopy, transurethral resection biopsy); urology records.
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
- Malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system: 38 CFR Part 4 rating criteriaThe percentage tiers VA applies once service connection is established, under DC 7528.
- VA presumptive conditions, explainedHow presumptive service connection works, and what it does not cover.
- All presumptive conditions by exposureAgent Orange, PACT Act, Camp Lejeune, Gulf War, and ionizing radiation.
Questions About Bladder Cancer (Camp Lejeune) and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Bladder Cancer (Camp Lejeune) a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Bladder Cancer (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 Bladder Cancer (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. This compensation presumption is for veterans, reservists and National Guard members only. A separate VA program may pay for or reimburse health care for a FAMILY MEMBER, and its conditions are all required: the person must be or have been the birth or adopted child, married spouse, or otherwise a legal dependent of a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River; must have lived there, or have been in utero while their mother lived there, for at least 30 days total between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987; and must apply for and be approved under current law. Having worked on the base is not a qualifying basis for that program. 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 Bladder Cancer (Camp Lejeune) claim?
DD-214 or service records confirming duty at Camp Lejeune, NC, with dates of service falling within August 1953–December 1987; minimum 30 days service required; pathology confirming bladder cancer (cystoscopy, transurethral resection biopsy); urology records. 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 Bladder Cancer (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.