Fort McClellan Exposure

What is Fort McClellan Exposure?

Fort McClellan Exposure refers to the health risks faced by veterans who served at Fort McClellan, Alabama. While the base served as the home of the Chemical Corps and the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the primary environmental hazard came from a nearby Monsanto chemical plant. This plant released Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) into the environment, contaminating the soil and water both on and off the base.

What were veterans exposed to?

Veterans stationed at Fort McClellan may have been exposed to:

• PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls): Highly toxic industrial chemicals that accumulate in the body and are linked to cancer and immune system issues.
• Herbicides: The base was used for testing herbicides, including agents similar to Agent Orange (Agent Blue and Agent White).
• Chemical weapons training: As the home of the Chemical Corps, live agent training involving mustard gas and nerve agents occurred there (though typically under controlled conditions).

Is there a presumptive list for Fort McClellan?

Currently, the VA does not have a specific list of presumptive conditions for Fort McClellan veterans (unlike Camp Lejeune or Vietnam). This means veterans generally must prove a “medical nexus” connecting their current illness directly to their service at the base.

However, the VA admits that exposure to high levels of PCBs occurred. Successful claims often involve proving that the veteran’s specific duties led to exposure and providing medical opinions linking PCBs to their diagnosis.

What conditions are often claimed?

While not presumptive, common claims from Fort McClellan veterans include:

• Cancers (breast, liver, bladder)
• Nervous system disorders
• Immune system dysfunction
• Reproductive issues