The Camp Lejeune Justice Act deadline to file new claims passed on August 10, 2024 — the Navy is no longer accepting new ones. But two paths are very much still open in 2026: (1) VA disability benefits for Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions, which have no deadline, and (2) if you’re among the 410,000+ people who already filed a Justice Act claim, settlement help — the DOJ is now approving settlements weekly.
Where things stand in 2026
- The Justice Act filing window closed August 10, 2024; no new claims are accepted.
- More than 410,000 claims were filed before the deadline.
- The Department of Justice is approving settlements on a rolling, weekly basis ($175M+ approved as of early 2026).
- Claims that were denied — or sat 6+ months without a decision — can become lawsuits in federal court.
- VA disability benefits are separate and have no deadline.
Track 1 · Open, no deadline
VA disability benefits
If you served at Camp Lejeune 30+ days (Aug 1953–Dec 1987) and have a presumptive condition, you can file a VA claim any time — monthly tax-free compensation and VA health care.
Track 2 · Already filed
Justice Act settlement help
Filed before the deadline? Your claim is active. If you filed on your own, were denied, or are weighing a settlement offer, an attorney can review where your claim stands and what it may be worth.
VA presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune
For these eight conditions, the VA presumes the link to Camp Lejeune — you don’t have to prove causation.
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia & other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
- Parkinson's disease
Other illnesses linked to the contamination
Scientifically associated with the solvents in the water — relevant to Justice Act claims and VA health-care eligibility, and worth a professional review.
Exposed at Camp Lejeune? Get a free review.
Whether you want to file a VA disability claim or you already filed a Justice Act claim and need to know where it stands, a VA-accredited representative or attorney can review your situation at no cost.
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Camp Lejeune — frequently asked questions
- Can I still file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim in 2026?
- No. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act gave a two-year window that closed on August 10, 2024, and the Department of the Navy is no longer accepting new claims. However, if you filed by that deadline, your claim is still active — and the DOJ is now approving settlements on a rolling basis.
- I already filed a Camp Lejeune claim — what happens now?
- More than 410,000 administrative claims were filed before the deadline. The DOJ is approving settlements weekly through the Elective Option and individual negotiations. If your claim was denied, or six months passed with no decision, you have the right to file a lawsuit in federal court (Eastern District of North Carolina).
- Is there still a way to get help if I was exposed at Camp Lejeune?
- Yes — through the VA. VA disability benefits for Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions have no filing deadline. If you served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 and have a qualifying illness, you can file a VA disability claim at any time.
- Who was exposed to the contaminated water?
- Marines, sailors, family members, and civilian workers who lived or worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (or MCAS New River) for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. In-utero exposure (a parent stationed there during pregnancy) also counts.
- What was in the water at Camp Lejeune?
- Two of the base water systems were contaminated with industrial solvents — trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride — at levels far above safe limits, from the 1950s until the wells were shut down in the mid-1980s.
Updated June 2026. Educational information, not legal or medical advice, and not affiliated with the VA or the Department of the Navy. The Justice Act filing deadline (Aug 10, 2024) has passed; claims filed before then remain active.
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