Fort McClellan
Fort McClellan, near Aniston, Alabama, was an active Army installation from 1917 until its closure in 1999. In 1951, the training center for the Chemical Corps was established, with Fort McClellan as its permanent home. The program’s name was changed to the U.S. Army Chemical Center and School in 1962, and remained so until it was disestablished in 1973. During this time, the U.S. Army Combat Developments Command Chemical Biological-Radiological Agency operated from Fort McClellan. This branch of the Army is tasked with defending against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons. In pursuit of that goal, Fort McClellan was home to extensive testing of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons.
As a result of this testing, it is possible that anyone stationed at Fort McClellan could have been exposed to one or more hazardous materials, including radioactive compounds (celsium-137 and cobalt-60), chemical warfare agents (mustard gas and nerve agents), and airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the Monsanto plant in Aniston. Exposure to high levels of these compounds can cause a variety of adverse health effects, though the VA has stated that there is no evidence of exposures of this magnitude having occurred at Fort McClellan. However, if you are a Veteran who was stationed at Fort McClellan, you should know that you may have been exposed to these dangerous materials. It may also be important to inform your doctor of this potential exposure. There is no current presumed service connection for any impairment related to hazardous material exposure at Fort McClellan.
If you are a veteran who has filed for VA disability benefits and needs help navigating the appeal process, call the experienced veterans’ disability attorneys at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. at 251-343-1111 today for a free case evaluation. The disability attorneys at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. help veterans throughout the Gulf Coast area, including, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana with regard to establishing service connection for claimed conditions, establishing entitlement to higher compensation ratings, and establishing entitlement to individual unemployability.