Mesothelioma and the Army

The U.S. Army used asbestos in bases, vehicles, and other assets before the risks were publicly understood. This put many U.S. Army veterans at risk of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer. We can help mesothelioma Army veterans seek benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), treatments, and compensation.

Legally reviewed by Jonathan N. Nelson Retired U.S. Major & VA-Accredited Attorney

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Army Veterans and Mesothelioma Risks

Between the 1930s and early 1980s, the U.S. Army used asbestos-containing products to keep its assets durable and heat-resistant.

U.S. Army Veterans & Mesothelioma Video Thumbnail

Video Summary: U.S. Army veterans are at risk of mesothelioma. This is because Army bases and vehicles relied on asbestos for between the 1930s and early 1980s. Get help now by calling (877) 450-8973.

The United States Army used countless asbestos-based products from the 1930s to the early 1980s. As a result, U.S. Army veterans who served their country during this time frame are at high risk of developing mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that can develop decades after asbestos exposure.

Since asbestos is very durable and fireproof, it was included in many products that were used to make Army bases, vehicles, and other assets. At the time, the risks of asbestos were hidden by corporations, so Army personnel didn’t know they were in danger.

Sadly, many U.S. Army veterans develop mesothelioma each year from being exposed to asbestos while they served. Mesothelioma can form in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen, and is almost always fatal.

Fortunately, there is hope for U.S. Army veterans who have received a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Army veterans with mesothelioma can receive specialized treatment through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These former service members can also access financial payouts worth thousands of dollars each month, and get help for their spouse and families.

In addition to health care benefits, U.S. Army veterans with mesothelioma may also qualify for private compensation from asbestos companies. This money can provide veterans with the financial security to take care of their medical treatment and daily living expenses.

If you or a loved one served in the U.S. Army and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact the Mesothelioma Veterans Center right now. We can help you explore your options and get the support you deserve.

The U.S. Army used asbestos in:

Bases & barracks
Vehicles
Weapons

Army veterans could develop mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases 10-50 years following exposure. The companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products hid the dangers to make a profit.

U.S. veterans with mesothelioma may now qualify for a wide range of VA benefits, including monthly payouts and free or low-cost medical care, to make life after a diagnosis easier.

Get our Free Veterans Packet to see how our team can help Army veterans like you pursue benefits, treatments, and compensation.

Army Asbestos Exposure Risks

The U.S. Army and other branches of the armed forces used asbestos to insulate and fireproof bases, ships, planes, weapons systems, and equipment.

Asbestos-containing materials used by the Army included:

Cement foundation
Electrical wiring
Floor and ceiling tiles
Gaskets
Gloves and fireproof suits
Insulation
Pipes
Roofing materials
Siding

As Army personnel worked with or around these products, asbestos fibers may have been released into the air. Those who inhaled or swallowed the fibers could develop mesothelioma 10-50 years later.

Army personnel didn’t know the risks of asbestos exposure since manufacturers concealed the deadly truth for much of the 20th century.

Army Bases That Used Asbestos

Over 60 U.S. Army bases were built with asbestos products. Soldiers working or living on these military bases were at risk of asbestos exposure.

Army bases and barracks that used asbestos included:

Camp Bullis, Texas
Camp Dodge, Iowa
Camp Haan, California
Camp Mackall, North Carolina
Fort Benning, Georgia
Fort Carson, Colorado
Fort Devens, Massachusetts
Fort Dix, New Jersey
Fort Drum, New York
Fort Meade, Maryland
Fort Riley, Kansas
Fort Shafter, Hawaii

International U.S. Army bases also may have contained asbestos. For example, reports of asbestos in Army barracks in Germany, South Korea, and other countries have made headlines as recently as 2024.

Do you have questions about army veterans with mesothelioma? Ask Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret) now!

High-Risk Mesothelioma Army Jobs

Anyone serving in the U.S. Army prior to the early 1980s was in danger of coming in contact with asbestos. However, some jobs came with a very high risk.

Army jobs with the highest risk of asbestos exposure included:

Automotive work
Carpentry
Construction
Demolition
Electrical work
Millwork
Pipefitting
Plumbing
Shipyard work

Military veterans who worked in these jobs during active duty could have been exposed to asbestos every day. For example, Army construction workers regularly used asbestos-containing insulation, pipes, and cement.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Risks in Army Families

Family members of Army veterans may have been put at risk of secondhand asbestos exposure if they lived on base.

Soldiers could bring home stray asbestos fibers that stuck to hair or clothes, exposing loved ones. Family members could also breathe in or swallow asbestos fibers disturbed during Army construction or renovation projects.

Contact us now if you or someone you love developed mesothelioma after serving in the Army. You may qualify for VA benefits and financial compensation.

Modern-Day Army Asbestos Exposure Risks

The Army stopped using asbestos in the 1980s when the health risks became clear. However, millions had already been exposed. Mesothelioma takes 10-50 years or longer to develop after exposure, so many Army veterans are at risk today.

Did you know?

While steps were taken to remove most asbestos from military assets, some products may still be found in older Army buildings.

Fort Campbell finally demolished several asbestos-containing buildings dating back to World War II in 2021. A project planner said the buildings were “just unsafe to be in” since they contained asbestos.

A 2023 Army Times report also noted that more effective oversight was needed to protect Army families living in older, privatized base housing from asbestos and lead paint.

Asbestos Risks in Army Vehicles

Almost all U.S. Army vehicles built before the early 1980s contained asbestos, including ambulances, buses, jeeps, and tanks.

Asbestos was used in the following vehicle parts:

Brake pads
Clutches
Gaskets
Heating systems
Hood liners
Spark plugs
Valves

The U.S. Army used asbestos to keep vehicle parts from wearing down. However, working with these parts could send asbestos fibers flying into the air.

This put Army mechanics at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses later in life.

Benefits & Compensation for Mesothelioma Army Veterans

Mesothelioma Army veterans and their families typically qualify for many benefits from the VA. They may also be able to pursue compensation through lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims with no impact to their VA benefits.

Army Mesothelioma VA Benefits

Notable Army mesothelioma VA benefits include monthly compensation and free or low-cost medical treatments.

As of 2026, married veterans with mesothelioma can access $4,158.17 or more in monthly payments from VA disability compensation.

The VA typically grants a 100% disability rating for mesothelioma so veterans can get the highest financial payouts. This also allows veterans to get treatment at little to no cost through the VA health care system.

We can help you apply to increase your mesothelioma VA benefits right now.

Mesothelioma Army Lawsuits

It’s possible for U.S. Army veterans to file mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation for any expenses they face. The average mesothelioma legal claim is worth over $1 million.

Asbestos lawsuits are never filed against the U.S. Army, other branches of the military, or the government. Veterans can still file for VA benefits even if they take legal action.

Mesothelioma lawsuit payouts secured for Army veterans include:

$34 million

to a U.S. Army veteran and civilian mechanic from California

$1.56 million

to a Pennsylvania U.S. Army veteran

$3.2 million

to a Texas U.S. Army veteran and maintenance worker

$4.3 million

to a Florida U.S. Army veteran and boilermaker

$2.25 million

to a Washington U.S. Army veteran and roofer

$1.88 million

to a New York U.S. Army veteran

$2.9 million

to a Colorado U.S. Army veteran and pipefitter

$1.38 million

to a New Jersey U.S. Army veteran

Get a free case review now to find out if our legal partners can file a mesothelioma lawsuit on your behalf. They’ll handle all the work, making the process as stress-free as possible.

Asbestos Trust Funds for Mesothelioma Army Veterans

Asbestos trust funds allow mesothelioma Army veterans to pursue compensation without going to court.

There’s over $30 billion available in asbestos trust funds today, and we can help you pursue a payout along with veterans benefits and lawsuit compensation.

U.S. Mesothelioma Army Veterans We've Helped

Thousands of U.S. veterans and families have trusted the Mesothelioma Veterans Center to access the resources they need after a diagnosis. Hear from U.S. Army veterans that our team assisted below.

Art Putt
Art served in the U.S. Army and Air Force before becoming a mechanic, where he was exposed to asbestos every day. Following his mesothelioma diagnosis, we helped Art get compensation to protect his family.

“We gave all that money to our kids, paid all their debts off, paid our house off, and made our life a little easier because we had no financial worries.”

— Art Putt, U.S. Army & Air Force veteran with mesothelioma

Ernie Conry
Ernie developed pleural mesothelioma after working as a mechanic and serving during the Korean War. With our help, Ernie was able to afford treatment and lived for nearly a decade with this cancer.

“Don’t let the cancer bog you down. Someday, it might bog you down, but my God, if you are still moving, keep moving.”

— Ernie Conry, U.S. Army veteran with mesothelioma

Alan Bonnin
Alan was working as a civilian when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Faced with mounting expenses, Alan and his wife worked with our legal partners to pursue compensation and justice.

“At one point, we didn’t know where our next meal would come from. When the first check came in, I can remember how relieved I was.”

— Connie Bonnin, wife of mesothelioma Army veteran Alan Bonnin

We're Here to Help U.S. Army Veterans With Mesothelioma

U.S. Army veterans never deserved to be put at risk of mesothelioma. ‌Military asbestos exposure could have been prevented if private companies had done their due diligence.

Many U.S. Army veterans develop mesothelioma every year as a result of corporate negligence. We’re here to make life easier for veterans and families affected by this cancer.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we can help you:

Access VA benefits typically worth $4,158.17 a month
Connect with top doctors and cancer centers
Pursue legal compensation worth $1 million+ on average
Understand your diagnosis and get support

Get a Free Veterans Packet or call (877) 450-8973 now to learn about all the ways we may be able to assist you or a loved one who served in the Army.

Mesothelioma and Army Veterans FAQs

What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?

The VA typically grants a 100% disability rating to U.S. veterans affected by mesothelioma.

This means that Army veterans can receive the highest monthly disability compensation payouts at $4,158.17 as well as free or inexpensive VA medical care.

Why do Army veterans get mesothelioma?

U.S. Army veterans get mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, which is the only known cause of the cancer.

Army veterans could have been exposed while serving since many military bases, vehicles, and other assets contained asbestos products up through the early 1980s.

After military service, many Army veterans also risked asbestos exposure in civilian jobs such as automotive work and construction.

Can veterans get compensation for asbestos?

Yes, U.S. Army veterans with mesothelioma can get compensation from VA benefits, trust fund claims, and lawsuits.

Mesothelioma claims award $1 million or more on average, and no legal action is taken against the U.S. military in this process. Trust fund claims and VA benefits can also award significant compensation.

Contact our team now to get help seeking compensation for asbestos-related diseases.

How do you prove asbestos exposure in the military?

Work with the Mesothelioma Veterans Center to prove how you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the U.S. Army.

Our partner mesothelioma lawyers can determine when, where, and how your exposure occurred. From there, we can pursue mesothelioma Army VA benefits and compensation on your behalf.

How much is compensation for death from mesothelioma?

If you lost a U.S. Army veteran you love to mesothelioma, you may be able to seek compensation worth $1 million+ on average from a wrongful death lawsuit.

Wrongful death lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that caused the veteran’s illness, not the U.S. military or government.

Call (877) 450-8973 to find out the potential value of your case.

Has anyone survived mesothelioma?

Yes. Many mesothelioma Army veterans and civilians have become long-term survivors.

U.S. Army and Air Force veteran Art Putt was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2018 and is still alive today. Another U.S. Army veteran, Ernie Conry, lived for over 7 years with mesothelioma thanks to his treatment plan.

Other mesothelioma survivors have lived for 20 years or more.

Disclaimer

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.