Def. Secretary Hagel to Focus On Earlier Onset Date for Camp LeJeune Chemical Exposure

Newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has pledged to help Marines find answers about three decades worth of contaminated drinking water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune. 

http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington/2013/02/hagel-pledges-to-help-camp-lejeune-victims.html

Under the new law signed by President Obama last August, for the first time veterans and family members who lived or worked at the base from 1957 - 1987 can receive government-funded hospitalization and medical services for 15 specific ailments linked to contaminated water at the base.

Scientists from the federal government recently announced that they discovered contaminated water at two additional water distribution systems as far back as August 1953, four years earlier than previous findings. A detailed report on the sources of contamination is expected later this year from CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). For more information on ATSDR and the studies at Camp LeJeune, visit: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/index.html

Veterans disability compensation is a full-time practice area at our offices in Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Latrobe.  In 2012, Quatrini Rafferty was able to obtain full service-connection, and a 100% disability percentage, for our client - a Camp LeJeune vet - by working with our clients treating oncologist and hematologist to get medical nexus reports.  For more information about veterans disability legal services at QR, please call us at 888-534-6016 or visit our Veterans Disability Benefits page.

- Quatrini Rafferty Veterans Law Group

Serving veterans in Pennsylvania, and the surrounding states, from our offices in Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Latrobe

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QR Gets Vietnam Vet Service-Connected for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Our client from Westmoreland County applied for, and was denied, service-connection for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  He had a previous unfavorable decision.  

The Army veteran served a year-long tour in Vietnam.

QR helped the client appeal his Ratings Determination to the Regional Office in Pittsburgh.  A hearing was held with a Decision Review Officer and which point testimony was taken from the veteran regarding his experiences and his treatment.

Working with the client's treating psychiatrist, QR was able to attack the thoroughness and credibility of the examinations performed by the Veterans Administration.  

Following the hearing, a favorable Statement of the Case was issued granting full service-connection.  The veteran was awarded an ongoing disability percentage, and, retroactive benefits back to the day of his application.
 

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Military Service Records: How Can I Get a Copy?

Many veterans, as they left the service, never received a copy of their service treatment records.  These documents are very important as they can reveal medical treatment for in-service conditions or disabilities.  They often times serve as the smoking gun for winning a service-connected benefit.

Most veterans can obtain free copies of their DD Form 214 (Report of Separation) and other military and medical records by requesting them online at the website of the U.S. National Archives.

Go to www.archives.gov and click on "Veterans' Service Records", and follow the instructions.

OR GO DIRECTLY TO the Military Service Records page of the National Archives at:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

- Quatrini Rafferty Veterans Law Group

Serving veterans in Pennsylvania, and the surrounding states, from our offices in Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Latrobe

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