Why Are U.S. Veterans at Risk of Mesothelioma?
Between the 1930s and early 1980s, asbestos products were widely used in military ships, bases, and vehicles. As a result, U.S. veterans have higher rates of mesothelioma than the general public.
Many manufacturers knew of the dangers of asbestos but hid the truth. By the time the risks came to light in the early 1980s, millions of service members had already been exposed.
If you or a U.S. veteran you love has mesothelioma, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center may be able to help. We are the #1 resource for veterans with mesothelioma.
To date, we’ve helped thousands of veterans, civilians, and families:
- Access benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Find the best mesothelioma doctors and treatments
- Secure mesothelioma compensation worth $1 million+
Get our Free Veterans Packet now to learn about all the ways we may be able to assist you.
Types of Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma, you may qualify for financial and medical benefits from the VA. Learn about top mesothelioma VA benefits below.
VA Disability Compensation
As of 2024, mesothelioma veterans often receive $3,946.25 or more per month from VA disability compensation. Mesothelioma usually qualifies for a 100% disability rating, so veterans can get the highest payouts possible from the VA.
VA Health Care
VA health care allows U.S. veterans with mesothelioma to get treatments at little to no cost. Many top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers are within the VA health care network.
VA Pension
You may be able to receive a VA pension if you meet certain income limits and other criteria. Most notably, your net worth must be under $155,356 as of 2024. You’ll get a monthly payout based on your specific case.
Special Monthly Compensation
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is an extra payout awarded to some veterans as part of their VA disability benefits. SMC may be provided if a veteran has dependents or can’t care for themselves.
Survivor Benefits
Survivor benefits may be available to the family members of veterans who have passed away from mesothelioma. These can include monthly compensation, reimbursement for funeral costs, and health care.
Call (877) 450-8973 now for help accessing or increasing your VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
How to File for Mesothelioma VA Benefits
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you file for VA benefits if you’re eligible.
Here is how to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits:
- Connect with our team: Call (877) 450-8973 or contact us now to speak with our veterans advocates and find out if you qualify to work with us.
- Gather evidence: We’ll help you gather evidence to prove that your mesothelioma diagnosis is service-connected. This evidence will show when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos while serving.
- File a VA benefits claim: Our team can help you fill out VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it along with supporting evidence.
- Review: Once your VA benefits claim has been submitted, the VA will review it and award you with benefits if your claim meets their criteria.
“Initially, when you file a VA benefits claim, an attorney doesn’t get any fee. So, when I help a veteran apply for VA benefits, I do that at no cost to them.”
— Eric Hall, Major USAFR & VA-accredited attorney
If you’re already receiving VA benefits at the time of your mesothelioma diagnosis, we can help you increase your disability rating to 100%.
Get help filing for or maximizing your mesothelioma VA benefits now.
Voices of Mesothelioma Veterans
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be stressful, but you’re not alone. Hear from others who have battled this cancer in our voices of mesothelioma veterans series.
Walter Twidwell
- Branch: U.S. Navy
- Service Years: 1954-1973
- Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
Decades after serving in the U.S. Navy, Walt was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lung lining. By taking legal action against private companies, he secured a $40.1 million payout for himself and his family.
“Asbestos didn't kill anybody on the spot that's for sure, but years later it started catching up with us.”
— Walter Twidwell, U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma
Art Putt
- Branch: U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force
- Service Years: 1956-1962
- Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
Given only 6 months to 1 year to live after his mesothelioma diagnosis in 2018, Art is still alive today thanks to cancer treatments and changes to his diet.
“I would tell people to make the best of it. You can’t change it. Make the best of it as you can. Get as close to your family and friends as you can.”
— Art Putt, U.S. Army and Air Force mesothelioma veteran
Ernie Conry
- Branch: U.S. Army
- Service Years: 1950s
- Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
After his mesothelioma diagnosis, Ernie helped spread awareness about the dangers of asbestos. He bravely battled mesothelioma for 7 years, living longer than expected.
“The thing to do is get up and do something. Don’t let the cancer bog you down.”
— Ernie Conroy, U.S. Army veteran with mesothelioma
Our team helped each of the U.S. veterans above secure compensation and justice, and we’re ready to assist you, too. Get a Free Veterans Packet now to see how.
Asbestos Exposure in the Military
All branches of the military relied on asbestos before the risks were known, putting veterans in danger of developing mesothelioma later in life.
See how each branch used asbestos below.
U.S. Navy
The Navy used more asbestos than any other branch of the Armed Forces in ships and shipyards. As a result, U.S. Navy veterans are at the highest risk of mesothelioma.
Navy Ships and Shipyards
All Navy ships used asbestos products to keep them fireproof and durable, putting veterans who served aboard them at high risk of exposure. Veterans were also in danger if they worked in shipyards, where asbestos products were installed or removed from vessels.
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force used asbestos-based brakes, gaskets, and clutches to prevent planes from catching fire. Many bases that U.S. Air Force veterans served on were also built with asbestos materials.
U.S. Army
U.S. Army veterans may have been exposed to asbestos products like cement, wires, and insulation. Dozens of U.S. Army bases were also built with asbestos, exposing countless service members.
U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard used asbestos to keep its ships fireproof. U.S. Coast Guard veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and other areas aboard military ships faced long-term exposure.
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marine Corps veterans who served aboard military ships, worked in shipyards, or serviced planes or vehicles may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos.
Secondhand Asbestos Exposure in the Military
A service member’s family members could’ve also been exposed to asbestos if they lived in military housing on base.
Service members who worked with or around asbestos may have unknowingly brought home stray fibers on hair, clothing, or equipment, resulting in secondhand exposure
High-Risk Military Asbestos Exposure Jobs
While any U.S. military veteran could have been exposed to asbestos, specific jobs came with a higher risk than others.
Military jobs with the highest risk of asbestos exposure included:
- Aircraft and vehicle mechanics
- Boiler operators
- Construction workers
- Enginemen
- Hull technicians
- Insulation workers
- Machinist mates
- Plumbers
- Seabees
- Shipyard workers
Service members frequently used asbestos-containing products in these roles or worked in places where stray fibers could easily be inhaled.
In addition, for many U.S. veterans, the risk of asbestos exposure didn’t stop after their military careers ended. Veterans often found jobs similar to the ones they held while in the service, adding to their exposure history.
After serving in World War II, U.S. veteran Conrad “Connie” Bauer worked as an industrial electrician and used asbestos-based electrical products for roughly 30 years. He later developed asbestosis, an incurable lung disease, due to his exposure.
Top Mesothelioma Doctors for Veterans
Through the VA health care system, veterans can access free or low-cost mesothelioma treatments from some of the best doctors in the country.
Top VA mesothelioma doctors include:
Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Robert Cameron has decades of experience treating pleural mesothelioma patients. He treats veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
Dr. Lorraine Cornwell
Dr. Lorraine Cornwell helps mesothelioma veterans at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Texas. This facility treats pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma, the two most common types of this cancer.
Dr. Daniel Wiener
Dr. Daniel Wiener leads the mesothelioma treatment team at the VA Boston Healthcare System, helping veterans on the east coast get the care they need.
Use our Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match to find the best mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers for you.
Additional Compensation Options for Mesothelioma Veterans
Outside of VA benefits, you may qualify for legal compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. These companies knew asbestos was dangerous but hid the risks for decades.
Our legal partners have recovered over $9.4 billion total for other mesothelioma patients. We may be able to help you secure legal compensation in addition to your VA benefits.
Compensation options for veterans with mesothelioma include:
- Personal injury lawsuits: These types of mesothelioma lawsuits award $1 million or more on average, and you won’t sue the U.S. military or government — only the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: You may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit if someone you love passed away from mesothelioma. These lawsuits can help cover leftover medical expenses, funeral costs, and other bills.
- Asbestos trust funds: Over $30 billion is currently in asbestos trust funds, and we can file a claim for you if you qualify.
“My lawyer came to see me and talked to me personally. He knew what kind of a man I was and how involved I was with my job in the Navy. I felt very comfortable with him.”
— Walter Twidwell, U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma
Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about all the compensation options available to you.
Get Help Now From the Mesothelioma Veterans Center
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is the nation’s most trusted resource for U.S. veterans with asbestos-related diseases.
By working with our team of veterans advocates, VA-accredited attorneys, and fellow U.S. veterans, you can access the benefits, treatments, and compensation you deserve. There are no upfront or out-of-pocket costs to work with us.
“They will be there by your side the whole way through.”
— Linda Maple, daughter of U.S. veteran with mesothelioma Albert Manring
Call (877) 450-8973 now to connect with our team or get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about the different ways we may be able to help.
Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs
Why do veterans get mesothelioma?
Many older U.S. veterans get mesothelioma because they worked with or around asbestos-containing products during their service.
Asbestos is the only known cause of this cancer, but the health risks weren’t widely known until the early 1980s. By that point, asbestos had been in use by the U.S. military for over 50 years.
Over 1,000 veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. This cancer takes 10-50 years to develop after asbestos exposure, so many don’t get sick until much later in life.
Can veterans get compensation for asbestos?
Yes, veterans may be able to get compensation if they now have mesothelioma or another serious illness after being exposed to asbestos while serving in the military.
If you're a married veteran with mesothelioma, you may receive monthly payments worth almost $4,000 a month from VA disability compensation.
You may also be able to access additional money from mesothelioma lawsuits, which pay $1 million on average.
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
Almost all mesothelioma cases are given a 100% disability rating by the VA, allowing mesothelioma veterans to get the most disability compensation possible.
As of 2024, mesothelioma veterans with a 100% rating can receive $3,946.25 a month through disability compensation.
Is mesothelioma a VA disability?
Yes. Mesothelioma is considered a VA disability if a military veteran was exposed to asbestos while they served.
The VA awards both medical and financial VA disability benefits to mesothelioma veterans and their loved ones.
Are there time limits to file a VA mesothelioma claim?
No. VA mesothelioma claims are considered “post-service claims” since this cancer develops decades after a veteran served — and these claims can be filed at any time.
However, it’s in your best interest to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the sooner you can start to receive compensation from VA benefits.
Don't wait — learn if you’re eligible to access mesothelioma veterans benefits now.
What is the VA disability rating for lung cancer?
The VA typically assigns a 100% disability rating to U.S. veterans suffering from service-related lung cancer. This allows these veterans to get the highest payouts available.
Like mesothelioma, lung cancer can be caused by asbestos exposure as well as exposure to other toxins that veterans may have encountered while they served.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly. Visit the UCLA Health website to learn more about Dr. Robert Cameron.
