Schofield Barracks
Schofield Barracks, HI
Known Toxins2
Years of Operation1909-Present
Base Background
Schofield Barracks, located in central Oʻahu, is one of the U.S. Army’s largest installations in Hawaii. Built in 1909, the base originally served as a mobile defense unit for the state and Pearl Harbor. The barracks suffered casualties and damage during the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Following the war, the base continued as a post for soldier strategy, chemical and biological defense training, and general defense of the island. Schofield Barracks are currently home to the 25th Infantry Division and United States Army Pacific Command.
Toxic Exposure
The groundwater beneath Schofield Barracks (Operable Unit 2, or OU 2) was found to be contaminated primarily with trichloroethylene (TCE) and carbon tetrachloride. More recently, Schofield Barracks has also undergone a Preliminary Assessment / Site Inspection (PA/SI) to evaluate the use, storage, or disposal of PFAS compounds (e.g. PFOS, PFOA) on its grounds and adjacent training areas. Environmental investigations are ongoing.
If you lived or worked at or near Schofield Barracks, you may have been exposed to the toxins below and be eligible for VA benefits. Get in touch with our VA disability lawyers for a free evaluation of your case.
Known Toxins
The following chart outlines the medical conditions associated with toxic exposure at this base, classified by the strength of evidence required (strong, good or limited).* Please keep in mind that it is not a complete list.
| Toxin | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Good | Limited | ||
| Carbon tetrachloride | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | Steatosis (fatty liver) Cirrhosis... Acute tubular necrosis Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) |
Scleroderma Porphyria toxic... Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Childhood Leukemias Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias Aplastic anemia Adult-Onset Leukemias |
Renal (kidney) cancer Pancreatitis... Pancreatic cancer Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate) Nephrotic syndrome Melanoma Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Immune suppression Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Brain cancer adult |
| Trichloroethylene (TCE) | Potential Effects & Strength of Evidence Needed | Acute hepatocellular injury (Hepatitis) |
Scleroderma Renal (kidney) cancer... Psychiatric disturbances Lymphoma non Hodgkin's Hepatocellular cancer (Liver cancer) Fetotoxicity (Miscarriage/spontaneous abortion; stillbirth) Decreased Coordination/ Dysequilibrium Cirrhosis Childhood Leukemias Cardiac congenital malformations Autoimmune antibodies, positive ANA Arrhythmias |
Trigeminal neuropathy Testicular cancer... Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Raynaud's phenomenon Prostate cancer Peripheral neuropathy Pancreatitis Pancreatic cancer Oral clefts (cleft lip and palate) Neural tube defects/CNS malformations Nephrotic syndrome Multiple myeloma Lung cancer Low birth weight/Small for Gestational Age Immune suppression Hodgkin's Disease (lymphoma) Genitourinary malformations (includes cryptorchidism, hypospadias) Cognitive impairment (includes impaired learning, impaired memory, and decreased attention span) Choanal atresia Cervical cancer Brain cancer adult Adult-Onset Leukemias ADD/ADHD, hyperactivity Acute tubular necrosis |
*Effects are according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry unless otherwise noted.
Paths to Compensation
Veterans and civilians who lived or worked at or near Schofield Barracks could be eligible for compensation if they have medical conditions caused or worsened by toxic exposure. This would require:
Service records and other documentation confirming presence at the base
Comprehensive medical evidence
Expert medical opinions linking the diagnosed medical conditions to the toxic exposure
An experienced VA lawyer can greatly increase your changes of winning the disability claim. Please contact us for a free case evaluation.