Camp Lejeune Marine Battles to Live After Chemical Exposure

Former Marine fights for disability benefits after chemical exposure
KVOA News
Written By Lauren Reimer
May 5, 2015

TUCSON - A Tucson veteran who thought his fighting days were over is now in a battle he can't seem to win. It's against the very organization that's supposed to help him and other vets deal with the effects of war.

His case goes back 40 years, but now his time is running out.

Stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina off and on for three years back in the 70's, former Marine, Robert O'Rourke, is one of thousands possibly exposed to drinking water contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

With his health declining, he filed for veterans' benefits and qualified, but had his claim for disability denied.

"I have kidney cancer, lung, liver, and now it's in my bone in back," said O'Rourke.

In 2012, a new law made it possible for veterans and civilians who lived at camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987 to receive VA health benefits if they were diagnosed with any of 15 listed health conditions.

O'Rourke qualified, and now has his medical expenses and prescriptions paid for.

"Their medical care is fantastic," said O'Rourke. "They took care of everything right away."

The cancer will never leave his body. "Eventually it's going to kill me," he said.

This makes working nearly impossible. A jeweler by trade, the 60-year-old is not yet eligible for social security. He thought he would apply for disability, but was denied.
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