In 2025, mesothelioma is considered a presumptive condition for U.S. veterans who worked with or around asbestos while serving. This means that veterans may qualify for many benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including monthly disability compensation and free or low-cost health care.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and the only known cause is asbestos exposure. All branches of the military relied on asbestos in ships, bases, and vehicles between the 1930s and early 1980s. As a result, 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients are U.S. military veterans.
Your mesothelioma may be considered a presumptive condition if you held a military job that put you in regular contact with asbestos, allowing you to access the highest disability payouts and other key benefits more easily.
Learn more about how presumptive status works, who qualifies, and what steps to take if you’ve received a mesothelioma diagnosis. Get a Free Veterans Packet now for information on this cancer and accessing VA benefits.
What Is a VA Presumptive Condition?
A VA presumptive condition is a medical issue that the VA automatically assumes is connected to a veteran’s military service.
To receive VA disability benefits, veterans usually must prove 3 things:
- Diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease
- Exposure to asbestos during their time of sevice
- Evidence linking your exposure to your illness
With a presumptive condition, the VA removes the need to prove the connection, so veterans simply need to show their diagnosis and asbestos exposure history.
If a veteran meets the eligibility requirements — such as having served in a specific location, time period, or job role — the VA presumes their illness was caused by their service.
Similarly, mesothelioma may be treated as service-connected if the veteran’s military records show asbestos exposure was likely.
List of VA Asbestos Presumptive Conditions
The VA recognizes several asbestos-related diseases as presumptive conditions, meaning veterans who can show they were likely exposed to asbestos during their service may not need additional proof.
The list of VA asbestos presumptive conditions includes:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Pleural diseases (pleural plaques, pleural effusions, and pleural thickening)
These conditions often develop decades after exposure, which is why the presumptive framework is so critical for veterans seeking benefits.
Mesothelioma
The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Veterans who served on Navy ships, in shipyards, or in occupations like construction, demolition, or insulation work before the early 1980s had an exceptionally high risk of exposure.
The VA generally accepts mesothelioma as service-connected when a history of exposure can be established.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers for military service members and veterans, according to the VA. About 8,000 veterans are treated for lung cancer each year at VA cancer centers. And while it’s commonly caused by smoking, veterans can also develop it as a result of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos harms the lungs and may cause lung tumors to form 10-50 years after someone was first exposed. The risk is even greater for those who both smoked and were exposed to asbestos, since the combination multiplies the likelihood of developing cancer.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Over time, the fibers scar your lungs, causing coughing and shortness of breath. Asbestosis can lead to death as it worsens over time.
Because it is directly caused by asbestos exposure, veterans who develop asbestosis are often eligible for VA disability benefits under presumptive rules.
Pleural Diseases
The VA also recognizes several pleural diseases as asbestos-related presumptive conditions. The pleura is the lining of the lungs, and asbestos fibers often become lodged there, leading to illnesses over time.
Asbestos-related pleural diseases recognized by the VA include:
- Pleural effusions (fluid buildup around the lungs)
- Pleural plaques (buildup of scar tissue in the lung lining)
- Pleural thickening (stiffening of the lung lining that makes breathing more difficult)
While these conditions may not be as aggressive as mesothelioma or lung cancer, some still cause serious breathing issues and may progress over time, warranting VA benefits and medical care.
Types of Benefits for VA Asbestos Presumptive Conditions
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may qualify for a range of VA benefits to help them get treatment and afford any expenses.
Types of asbestos VA benefits may include:
- VA disability compensation: Monthly tax-free payments based on your disability rating, paying out $4,044.91 a month in many cases. Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer are both rated at 100% disability, allowing veterans to receive the most compensation each month in disability.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Additional funds if you need daily assistance or are housebound.
- VA pension: Income-based support for wartime veterans with permanent disabilities.
- Aid & Attendance (A&A): Extra payments for veterans needing help with daily activities.
- VA health care: Access to mesothelioma specialists and treatment at VA facilities.
- Survivor benefits like pensions and burial benefits: Support for families after a veteran’s passing.
Together, these benefits can ease the financial burden of treatment, provide specialized care, and ensure veterans and their families have ongoing support after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Help for Accessing Mesothelioma VA Benefits
Even though mesothelioma is a presumptive condition, it can still be confusing to navigate the VA benefits process on your own.
Here are 3 steps we recommend to make the process easier:
- Review the VA benefits form: This is VA Form 21-526EZ and is relatively straightforward.
- Connect with your doctor: You’ll want to get a nexus letter from the doctor who diagnosed you with mesothelioma. This letter is proof that your doctor believes your diagnosis was caused by asbestos, and is crucial to getting the VA benefits you deserve. While mesothelioma is a presumptive condition, this letter is still helpful to have.
- Work with VA-accredited lawyers: If you’re still unsure or worried about receiving the VA benefits you’re entitled to, we have experienced mesothelioma lawyers on staff who are trained to make the process easier for you. They can help you gather the information and evidence needed to file for VA benefits, prove your condition was presumptive, and ensure you don’t make a mistake.
Get free help filing for VA benefits. We'll help prove your asbestos exposure history, connect it to your disease, and get you the monthly payouts you deserve.
Get Benefits for VA Asbestos Presumptive Conditions
If you’re facing mesothelioma, you may be able to get VA benefits more easily, as this cancer is considered an asbestos presumptive condition. However, you may still feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the VA. That’s where we can help.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has VA-accredited attorneys on staff who can help you or a loved one pursue the VA benefits you deserve. Our patient advocates, including veterans and families of veterans, will also support you throughout a diagnosis.
We're here to help veterans and their families:
- Access or maximize their VA benefits
- Find top doctors and treatments
- Pursue compensation for expenses
- Secure other important resources
Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet to explore mesothelioma VA benefits and other options that may help you or a loved one after a diagnosis.
