where benefits are made available to those exposed was badly needed and a good thing IMHO. But am I the only one whose blood boils when I see all the ads by lawyers wanting to "help" the veterans work through their claims? There must be 7-8 different legal firms advertising on channels I watch wanting to get their grubby hands on taxpayer money that should be going to those who served. My BP shoots up 20 points every time I see one of their ads. So for those who know more about this than me (which is pretty much everybody here): are these benefits set up so you have to consult a lawyer to take advantage of them?

Edited September 2, 20223 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I hope not Fred, and it should not have to be.

The legislation came way too late to help my brother, but I hope it serves the remaining veterans exposed to Agent Orange (and subsequent toxins) the way it is intended.

Every time I see those ads, I wonder how it happened in the first place.  Someone must have made a conscious decision - to cover something up, to save a few bucks?

Found this. @Fred W. Hargis Jr

 

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/exposures/camp_lejeune_brochure.pdf

 

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/

Maybe I'm confused, I'm also seeing legal ads for the Camp ejuene water problems...but I though the burn pits were a sandbox thing where all sorts of bad stuff was burned for disposal. The toxic smoke apparently has sickened a great many vets and Congress has set up a fund to compensate them. I'm interpreting the Camp Lajuene problem as something different.

6 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Maybe I'm confused, I'm also seeing legal ads for the Camp ejuene water problems...but I though the burn pits were a sandbox thing where all sorts of bad stuff was burned for disposal. The toxic smoke apparently has sickened a great many vets and Congress has set up a fund to compensate them. I'm interpreting the Camp Lajuene problem as something different.

It's me that's confused, Fred. We've been bombarded with the Camp Lejeune lawyer TV adds. Sorry, you asked about the burn pit problems, not the bad water..

 

This is from the VA on toxic exposure-

https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/specific-environmental-hazards/

 

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-senate-passes-bill-to-help-veterans-exposed-to-toxic-burn-pits-/6620822.html

 

 

6 minutes ago, lew said:

It's me that's confused, Fred. We've been bombarded with the Camp Lejeune lawyer TV adds. Sorry, you asked about the burn pit problems, not the bad water..

 

Me too, @lew!  For whatever reason, I'm not seeing the burn pit ads, only the hazardous water ones.

In this article, there is a link for veterans to apply for compensation- no lawyer required. 

 

As far as I know, legal representation is not required to apply for any VA compensation.

 

https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/newsevents/newsletter/December-2021-Retiree-Newsletter-Partners-VA-Presumptive-Conditions-and-the-Airborne-Hazards-and-Open-Burn-Pit-Registry/

Edited September 2, 20223 yr by lew