Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune): VA Presumptive Condition (Camp Lejeune)
VeteranHQ lists Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune) as a presumptive condition in the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water group. The exposure it is tied to is: Contaminated drinking water: TCE (neurotoxin), PCE, benzene. The presumption is effective January 29, 2013. It is governed by 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7); Public Law 112-154.
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: Neurobehavioral Effects (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: TCE (neurotoxin), PCE, benzene
- Effective date
- January 29, 2013
- Filing deadline
- No statutory deadline
Service required for this presumption
Minimum 30 days active duty service at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
About this presumption
NOTE: Neurobehavioral effects are not a statutory presumptive under 38 CFR § 3.309(f). Camp Lejeune veterans with neurobehavioral conditions may pursue claims through direct service connection or PACT Act healthcare eligibility. However, neurobehavioral effects — including impaired cognitive function, memory loss, attention deficits, depression, anxiety, and peripheral neuropathy — may be recognized for Camp Lejeune veterans through direct service connection based on the well-documented neurotoxicity of TCE and related compounds. TCE is an established central nervous system depressant and peripheral neurotoxin. Chronic TCE exposure causes trigeminal neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive dysfunction through mechanisms including mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species generation in neural tissue.
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; neuropsychological testing documenting cognitive deficits; neurology records; nerve conduction study/EMG for peripheral neuropathy component; MRI brain if cognitive symptoms are prominent; psychiatric records for mood components; nexus opinion linking neurobehavioral condition to Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Controlling legal authority
38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7); Public Law 112-154
Related on VeteranHQ
Questions About Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune) and Presumptive Service Connection
Is Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune) a VA presumptive condition?
Yes. VeteranHQ lists Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune) as presumptive in the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water group, effective January 29, 2013, under 38 CFR § 3.307(a)(7); Public Law 112-154. 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 Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune) presumption?
Minimum 30 days active duty service at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. 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 Neurobehavioral Effects (Camp Lejeune) claim?
Service records; neuropsychological testing documenting cognitive deficits; neurology records; nerve conduction study/EMG for peripheral neuropathy component; MRI brain if cognitive symptoms are prominent; psychiatric records for mood components; nexus opinion linking neurobehavioral condition to Camp Lejeune water contamination. 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 Neurobehavioral Effects (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.