“Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
Few phrases capture the lifelong identity, pride, and brotherhood of the United States Marine Corps so clearly.
Each November, the Marine Corps Birthday on November 10 and Veterans Day on November 11 give us an opportunity to honor those who have served. For Marines, however, service does not simply end when the uniform comes off. The values, experiences, relationships, injuries, and sacrifices of military service can last a lifetime.
So can the right to pursue the VA disability benefits a Marine has earned.
At The VA Claims Lawyer, we help veterans who are seeking VA disability compensation or challenging a VA decision that denied or undervalued their claim. If your military service caused or aggravated a disabling condition, you should not assume that an initial VA decision is the final word.
Celebrating the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday
The Marine Corps traces its founding to November 10, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress authorized two battalions of Continental Marines. More than 250 years later, the Corps remains defined by its traditions and its core values of honor, courage, and commitment. (Marine Corps)
Its motto, Semper Fidelis, means “Always Faithful.”
That commitment does not disappear at discharge.
The Marine Corps itself describes those who have worn the uniform as continuing to carry the Corps with them after their military service - serving their communities and embodying the spirit of “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” (Marine Corps)
For generations of Marines, November 10 has therefore become far more than another date on the calendar. It is a celebration of history, tradition, sacrifice, and the bonds shared by Marines across generations.
Being a Marine Is an Identity, Not Just a Job
Marines remain Marines long after they leave active duty.
The discipline, pride, responsibility, and commitment to others developed during service often continue throughout civilian life. Marines who never served together may nevertheless recognize a shared experience and connection.
That bond can be forged through experiences such as:
Deployments and combat
Demanding training and physically strenuous duties
Separation from family
Shared hardships and dangerous assignments
Responsibility for fellow Marines
A culture that emphasizes perseverance, discipline, and resilience
But the same determination that helps Marines complete the mission can sometimes make it difficult to acknowledge an injury or ask for help after leaving the service.
That can matter when it comes to VA disability benefits.
The Hidden Costs of Marine Corps Service
Not every service-related injury is obvious when a Marine leaves active duty.
Some disabilities become worse over time. Others may not be diagnosed until years later. Toxic exposure-related illnesses, in particular, may not become apparent until long after the exposure occurred.
Depending on a Marine’s service history and individual circumstances, conditions associated with military service can include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Hearing loss and tinnitus
Back, knee and shoulder conditions
Other musculoskeletal injuries
Respiratory illnesses
Conditions associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures
Conditions associated with contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Agent Orange-related diseases for qualifying Vietnam-era veterans
VA recognizes numerous health concerns associated with military service, including PTSD, hearing loss, traumatic brain injuries, spinal conditions, and illnesses associated with hazardous-material exposure. (Veterans Affairs)
Toxic Exposure and Marine Veterans
Toxic exposure deserves particular attention because changes in federal law have expanded eligibility for some veterans.
VA recognizes presumptive conditions and exposures associated with circumstances including burn pits, Agent Orange, and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. For a qualifying presumptive condition, a veteran generally does not have to independently prove that military service caused the condition, although the veteran still must establish the applicable diagnosis and qualifying service. (Veterans Affairs)
Marines who served at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may qualify for presumptive disability compensation for certain diagnosed conditions if the other eligibility requirements are met. (Veterans Affairs)
VA also recognizes numerous presumptive diseases associated with qualifying Agent Orange exposure, and burn pits and other environmental hazards may provide a basis for VA disability compensation under applicable eligibility rules. (Veterans Affairs)
The important point is this: Do not assume that too much time has passed to investigate whether an illness or disability may be connected to your military service.
Families Serve, Too
Military service affects more than the person wearing the uniform.
Marine families may experience:
Long deployments and extended separations
Missed birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and milestones
Frequent moves and career disruptions
Stress associated with deployments and combat
Challenges when a Marine returns home with physical or psychological injuries
Difficult transitions from military to civilian life
When a veteran develops a service-connected disability, those effects can ripple through the entire household.
A successful VA disability claim cannot erase those sacrifices, but the benefits a veteran has earned can provide important financial support and access to other benefits for eligible veterans and their families.
You Earned Your VA Benefits
VA disability compensation is not charity.
It exists to compensate eligible veterans for disabilities connected to their military service.
Marines are trained to persevere, adapt, and continue the mission. Those qualities can become a disadvantage when a veteran minimizes pain, ignores symptoms, or believes someone else “has it worse.”
You do not have to compare your sacrifice to someone else’s.
“Marines spend their careers being taught to push through pain, adapt, and take care of the Marine beside them. But when military service leaves lasting injuries, pursuing the benefits you earned is another way of taking care of your family and yourself. Asking the VA to honor its obligation to you is not asking for a handout.”
- Al Giordano, The VA Claims Lawyer
If a disability was caused or aggravated by your service, seeking the benefits available under the law is part of protecting your future.
When the VA Says No, Your Claim May Not Be Over
A denied VA disability claim can be frustrating, especially after years of living with the effects of an injury or illness.
But a denial does not necessarily mean you are ineligible for benefits.
A claim may have problems involving medical evidence, service records, the connection between a disability and military service, the severity of the condition, or the evidence VA considered.
The right strategy depends on the facts of the individual case. That is why it is important to carefully review the VA decision before deciding what to do next.
A VA claims attorney can examine the decision, identify potential weaknesses in the claim or errors in the VA’s analysis, and help determine the appropriate path forward.
Semper Fidelis - And We Remain Faithful to Those Who Served
This November, we honor active-duty Marines, Marine veterans, those who gave their lives in service, and the families who stood beside them.
The words Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful have defined generations of Marines.
Veterans deserve that same commitment when they seek the benefits they earned through service.
At The VA Claims Lawyer, we represent veterans nationwide. If your VA disability claim was denied, your condition was underrated, or you believe you may be entitled to additional VA disability benefits, talk with us about your options.
Your Service Did Not End Your Right to Fight for the Benefits You Earned
Do not let a VA denial be the end of your claim.
Let us review what happened, examine the evidence, and help you understand your options for moving forward.
Request a FREE VA case evaluation today.
Call 877-VET-FILE (877-838-3453) or 850-542-7985.
The VA Claims Lawyer serves veterans in all 50 states.
Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Benefits for Marines
What should I do if my VA disability claim was denied?
Start by carefully reviewing the VA decision and the reasons given for the denial. The appropriate next step depends on the evidence, the decision, and the circumstances of your case. A VA claims attorney can review the decision and help determine your options.
Why are Marine veterans’ VA disability claims denied?
There is no single reason. A claim may be denied because VA finds insufficient evidence of a current disability, qualifying event or exposure, or connection between the veteran’s condition and military service. Other disputes can involve disability ratings, effective dates, or how evidence was evaluated.
Can Marines receive VA benefits for Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Some veterans who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may qualify for presumptive VA disability compensation for certain diagnosed conditions, subject to VA’s eligibility requirements.
Can a Marine file a VA disability claim years after leaving the service?
Potentially, yes. The passage of time does not automatically prevent a veteran from filing a disability claim. The veteran will still need to satisfy the applicable eligibility and evidence requirements. Certain presumptive conditions have special rules that can make establishing service connection different from a standard claim.
How much does a VA benefits lawyer cost?
At The VA Claims Lawyer, there is no upfront fee for a case evaluation. Contact us to discuss your individual situation, potential representation, and any applicable fees.