More so, the agency is urging more veterans to submit claims quickly. Joshua Jacobs, the VA’s senior adviser for policy and acting Veterans Benefits Administration undersecretary, said veterans should submit their claims before August so their benefits begin from the day the PACT Act became law and they will receive back pay.
“There seems to be a lot of confusion because the VA already service-connects veterans with illnesses related to the contaminated Camp LeJeune water,” said Michael A. Iwanicki, superintendent of the McHenry County Veterans Assistance Commission. “The PACT Act is actually for the civilian workers and families living and working on the base. This could present a problem for a veteran who may already be receiving benefits from the Veterans Benefits Administration. Should a veteran who is in receipt of VA Disability for illness from his service in Camp LeJeune and later receive an award from the legal action, the VA will recoup the monies awarded including the attorney’s fees.”
“I would really suggest to them to find an accredited service officer through the State of Michigan, whether it be the county, the veteran service organizations, DAV [Disabled American Veterans], the American Legion, the VFW [Veterans of Foreign Wars], talk to somebody about that,” he said.
He said the new Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows veterans to file a class action lawsuit against the federal government, but that may be impacted by any service-connected disability payments the veteran already received. He said it’s important for a veteran to look at all their options before making a decision.
The government has acknowledged chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water from 1953 to 1987 are responsible for causing cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other illnesses. A law signed by President Joe Biden this summer gaves those who have gotten sick the right to sue the government, unleashing the gold rush by personal injury lawyers.