United States Marines who served in the 20th century are at risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and this substance was widely used in military ships, vehicles, and bases. We can help Marines with mesothelioma pursue military benefits, treatments, and compensation.
Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma Risks
The U.S. Marine Corps and all other military branches relied on asbestos-containing products from the 1930s to the early 1980s.
Asbestos kept military assets durable, fireproof, and well-insulated. However, Marines exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma and other deadly illnesses later in life.
Video Summary: U.S. Marine Corps veterans are at risk of mesothelioma due to service-related asbestos exposure, but VA benefits and other resources are available to help. View Transcript
Those who served in the United States Marine Corps from the 1930s to the early 1980s may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a fiber-like mineral known to cause mesothelioma and other cancers.
Asbestos was widely used in Marine Corps ships, vehicles, and bases to make these assets durable, insulated, and heat resistant. Unfortunately, inhaling stray asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma later in life.
Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that can affect the lining of the lungs, heart, testicles, or abdomen. It can take 10-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear, and unfortunately, there is no cure.
Thankfully, If you're a Marine Corps veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of your military service, there are ways to get help.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers many benefits to veterans with mesothelioma, like medical treatments, monthly compensation, financial assistance for loved ones, and much more.
You served your country honorably, and the VA is here to support you in return.
Marine Corps veterans may also qualify for private compensation from a mesothelioma claim. Filing a claim won’t affect your ability to get VA benefits, and you won’t be taking legal action against the military.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and served in the U.S. Marine Corps, reach out to the Mesothelioma Veterans Center today. We are dedicated to helping you get VA benefits, life-changing treatment, and financial aid.
Marine Corps veterans risked military asbestos exposure from:
- Bases and buildings
- Cars, tanks, and other vehicles
- Planes
- Ships
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center stands ready to assist all veterans with mesothelioma.
We have fellow U.S. Marine veterans and patient advocates on staff who can help eligible patients access benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, treatments, and compensation.
Get a Free Veterans Packet now to find out more about the risk of mesothelioma in Marine veterans and key resources available after a diagnosis.
How Were Marines Exposed to Asbestos?
Since asbestos use was so widespread, Marines may have been exposed in several ways. Learn about different was Marines risked exposure below.
Marine Bases and Mesothelioma Risks
Dozens of Marine bases and barracks contained asbestos before the health risks were fully understood.
Marine bases built with asbestos include:
- Camp Garcia Vieques, Puerto Rico
- Marine Barracks, Washington D.C.
- Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Orange County, CA
- Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, Tustin, CA
- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA
- Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Havelock, NC
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA
- Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma, AZ
- Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan
- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC
- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
- Marine Corps Base Quantico, Quantico, VA
- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Albany, GA
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Port Royal, SC
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, San Diego, CA
- Marine Corps Rifle Range Camp Matthews, San Diego, CA
- Marine Reserve Center, Portland, ME
This list of U.S. Marine bases that contained asbestos is not complete — you may have been exposed even if your base isn’t shown above.
Marines at the highest risk on base were construction workers who handled asbestos-containing materials every day while building and renovating structures.
Navy Ships
Marine veterans who served on U.S. Navy ships have a higher risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Virtually every Navy ship was built with asbestos products for much of the 20th century.
Marines risked asbestos exposure on Navy vessels from:
- Boilers
- Bulkheads
- Cables
- Ceiling tiles
- Deck flooring
- Engines
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Pipes
- Valves
The risk was particularly high in boiler rooms and engine rooms, which were cramped and had extremely poor ventilation.
Shipyards & Mesothelioma Marine Risks
Throughout most of the 20th century, Marines working in shipyards were at high risk of asbestos exposure.
Shipyard workers handled asbestos-containing materials every day. The New York Times reports that asbestos dust clouded World War II-era shipyards to the point that people couldn’t see to the other end of the room.
Actor and U.S. Marine veteran Steve McQueen believed he developed mesothelioma from removing asbestos insulation in a Navy shipyard.
Call (877) 450-8973 to get assistance if you or a loved one is a Marine with mesothelioma. We can help you pursue VA benefits, health care, and compensation, if eligible.
Vehicles and Planes
Many cars and planes used by the U.S. Marines relied on asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos helped these products resist heat and friction but released cancer-causing asbestos fibers into the air.
Notable asbestos-containing car parts included:
- Brake pads
- Clutches
- Engine heat shields
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Seals
- Wiring
Marines frequently risked asbestos exposure while operating planes, tanks, and other vehicles. Marine mechanics were also in danger since they installed, repaired, and replaced asbestos-containing components every day.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure and the Marine Corps
If a Marine’s family members lived on base where asbestos materials were used, they may have been exposed indirectly.
Marines could come home covered in asbestos dust, putting loved ones at risk of mesothelioma and other diseases as a result of this secondary exposure.
Post-Service Asbestos Exposure
U.S. Marines also risked exposure after they served, as many civilian jobs relied on asbestos-containing materials. Repeated exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma over time.
After serving in World War II, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Conrad “Connie” Bauer worked as an industrial electrician and used asbestos products for roughly 30 years. He later developed asbestosis, an incurable lung disease, due to his exposure.
Marines had no idea that asbestos was dangerous because private companies hid the health risks for decades to make huge profits.
If you or a loved one is a Marine with mesothelioma, get our Free Veterans Packet to explore VA benefits, treatments, and compensation options.
VA Benefits and Compensation for Marine Corps Veterans
There are many VA benefits available to help Marines and other veterans with mesothelioma.
Notable mesothelioma Marine VA benefits include:
- Disability compensation: The VA awards a 100% disability rating to veterans with mesothelioma. Married veterans with this rating can receive $4,044.91 a month in VA disability payouts.
- Health care: U.S. Marines with mesothelioma can access free or low-cost mesothelioma treatment if they have VA health care. Since mesothelioma is considered a 100% disability, Marines with this cancer have the lowest copays.
- Survivor benefits: Family members can seek compensation, burial reimbursement, health care, and other resources.
Our team can help veterans file for or increase their VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma Compensation Options
Marine veterans may be able to take legal action and seek mesothelioma compensation from the companies responsible for their illnesses.
Legal compensation options include:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: These claims are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that a Marine was exposed to. The average asbestos lawsuit awards $1 million or more.
- Asbestos trust funds: These trusts were established by bankrupt asbestos companies and contain over $30 billion today. Marines with mesothelioma may qualify for some of this money.
Our partner mesothelioma law firm, founded by U.S. veterans, can file lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims for you. The firm’s lawyers can do all the paperwork, allowing you to get the compensation you deserve with minimal stress.
Marine veterans often receive more compensation than is available through VA benefits with help from our partner mesothelioma attorneys. Veterans can still file for VA benefits even if they file legal mesothelioma claims.
Mesothelioma Marine Corps Payouts
Our legal partners have secured $9.6 billion for mesothelioma patients, including many U.S. Marine Corps veterans.
Notable mesothelioma payouts for Marine Corps veterans include:
You can use the compensation secured for anything you see fit, including medical bills, mortgages, and travel expenses.
Get a free case review now to learn how much you or a U.S. Marine veteran with mesothelioma could potentially secure after a diagnosis.
We Can Help Marines With Mesothelioma
U.S. Marine Corps veterans should’ve never been put at risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, but private corporations only thought of the profits.
They put millions of service members in harm's way — and each year, thousands of veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result.
At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we're here to help U.S. Marine veterans, their families, and civilians navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
We can assist in:
- Filing for or increasing mesothelioma Marine VA benefits
- Finding top doctors and cancer treatments
- Seeking legal payouts from lawsuits and trust funds
- Ensuring Marines with mesothelioma get support
Call (877) 450-8973 now or get a Free Veterans Packet to see all the ways we can support you or a loved one with mesothelioma.
Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs
Why do Marines get mesothelioma?
U.S. Marine Corps veterans are at an increased risk of mesothelioma due to the widespread use of asbestos by the military for decades.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. All branches of the military used asbestos-containing materials up until the early 1980s. Marines risked exposure from bases, vehicles, planes, and Navy ships.
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
The VA rates almost all cases of service-connected mesothelioma as a 100% disability.
This means veterans of the U.S. Marines and other military branches can get the highest disability payouts and lowest health care premiums.
Eric Hall, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and our VA-accredited attorney, can help you file for mesothelioma Marine VA benefits or increase your disability rating to 100% — for free.
Call (877) 450-8973 now to get started.
Are Marines exposed to asbestos?
Yes, many U.S. Marines were exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their service.
Dozens of military bases relied on asbestos products. Marines were also at risk if they were stationed on Navy ships, all of which contained asbestos before the early 1980s.
Marines who worked as mechanics risked exposure to car components like brake pads and insulation that contained asbestos. Many cases of mesothelioma in Marines are linked back to service-related exposure.
Is asbestos still used by the U.S. Marine Corps?
No, the U.S. Marine Corps doesn’t use asbestos in any new buildings, ships, or other assets. However, older U.S. military structures may still contain asbestos even today.
Though steps were taken to remove most of the asbestos found on older military bases and ships, it was simply impossible to remove it all.
Is mesothelioma a terminal illness?
Mesothelioma is often considered a terminal disease since many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. However, U.S. Marine veterans may become long-term survivors with medical care.
Contact our team now to learn more about the link between Marine veterans and mesothelioma. We can also help you connect with top doctors and pursue compensation to help cover the cost of treatments.
Can Marine veterans get compensation for asbestos?
Yes, U.S. Marine veterans may be able to get compensation for asbestos exposure if they’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
The VA offers $4,044.91 in monthly compensation for married veterans with mesothelioma.
Eligible Marines can also seek money from asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits, which award $1 million or more on average. Taking legal action won’t affect a veteran's ability to receive VA benefits.
