Camp Lejeune Eligibility Criteria: A Veteran-Friendly Checklist
By Jordan Reyes, Editorial · Reviewed by: Pending Veterans Affairs Editorial Reviewer Recruitment · Last reviewed: May 15, 2026
This page is editorial and informational. It is not legal advice.
To confirm your eligibility, consult a VA-accredited attorney through the VA’s official accreditation search at va.gov.
Eligibility for a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim has three main parts: where you were, when you were there, and what health condition you have. This page walks through each part as a checklist you can use to start your own review.
The Eligibility Checklist
Step 1. Confirm the location.
Time at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina counts. Time at Marine Corps Air Station New River, which shared the same water system, also counts. Time on the base where you lived in family housing counts. Service or work at other bases does not count under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Step 2. Confirm the date range.
The eligible window is August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987. Any time on base outside this window does not count for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Step 3. Confirm at least 30 cumulative days.
The law requires at least 30 days of presence on base in the eligibility window. The days do not need to be in a row. Short visits add up. You will need records to show this.
Step 4. Confirm you are in a covered group.
The law covers service members of any branch, civilian workers, family members who lived on base, children exposed in the womb during the eligibility window, and the estates of people who have since died from a qualifying condition.
Step 5. Match your health condition.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows claims for injuries linked by scientific evidence to the toxic water. The VA also lists eight presumptive conditions for disability claims. Both lists are below.
VA Presumptive Conditions for Camp Lejeune Service
The VA recognizes eight conditions as presumptive for Camp Lejeune veterans. If you served at least 30 cumulative days in the eligibility window and you have one of these conditions, the VA presumes service connection for disability claims.
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Parkinson disease
Other Conditions That May Qualify
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows a wider set of claims than the VA presumptive list. The DOJ Elective Option also covers conditions outside the VA list. These include:
- Kidney disease
- Systemic sclerosis
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
- Cardiac defects (for those exposed in the womb)
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Renal toxicity
A VA-accredited attorney can check whether your condition fits a recognized claim. The list of recognized injuries continues to develop as science evolves.
Records You Will Need
To support a claim, you need proof of three things: who you are, that you were on base, and that you have a qualifying condition.
Proof of identity and service
DD-214 for veterans. Military personnel records. Birth records or marriage records for family members.
Proof of time at Camp Lejeune
Service records showing duty station. Base housing records. School records for children. Employment records for civilians. Pay stubs.
Proof of medical condition
Medical records showing diagnosis. Treatment history. Doctor statements. Pathology reports.
If You Missed the Filing Deadline
The two-year filing window under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act closed on August 10, 2024. No new claims can be filed under that law. If you missed it, you are not out of options.
The VA has a separate path. If you have a presumptive condition and served at least 30 days in the eligibility window, you can still file a VA disability claim. The VA path is open and has no expiration date for filing.
VA: Camp Lejeune water contamination claimsNext Step: Talk to a VA-Accredited Attorney
A short conversation with a VA-accredited attorney can tell you if your facts fit. The VA keeps an official search of accredited attorneys, claims agents, and Veterans Service Organization representatives.
Find a VA-accredited attorneyRelated Guides
What About PFAS Where You Live Now?
Camp Lejeune water was contaminated decades ago. PFAS is a different family of chemicals. If you live near another former military base today, PFAS may still be in your tap water. Learn what PFAS is and how to filter it.
What is PFAS? (pfasfilterguide.com)Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum time on base?
At least 30 cumulative days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. The 30 days do not need to be consecutive. Short visits can add up if you have proof.
Are family members covered?
Yes. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 covers family members who lived on base or spent at least 30 days there in the eligibility window. Children exposed in the womb during this window are also covered.
What if my loved one died before filing?
The estate of the person who died can bring a claim. Wrongful death claims are part of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Talk to a VA-accredited attorney about the process.
Are civilian workers covered?
Yes. Civilian workers employed on base for at least 30 cumulative days in the eligibility window can file. This includes federal employees, contractors, and others who worked at the base.
What if I served at Marine Corps Air Station New River?
MCAS New River was on the same water system as Camp Lejeune during the eligibility window. Time at MCAS New River counts. Confirm your service location with your records.
What conditions does the VA recognize?
The VA lists eight presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune service: adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Parkinson disease. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act covers a broader list including injuries linked by scientific evidence to the water.
I missed the August 10, 2024 deadline. Can I still file?
No new Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims can be filed. The two-year filing window closed. You may still have VA disability options under the presumptive condition rules. Those run on a separate path.
How do I prove I was on base?
For service members, your DD-214 and personnel records show your duty stations. For civilians and family members, base housing records, school records, employment records, and pay stubs can serve as proof. A VA-accredited attorney can help collect what you need.
Primary Sources
This page is editorial and informational. It is not legal or medical advice. For legal questions, consult a VA-accredited attorney through the VA’s official accreditation search at va.gov.