Asbestos VA Disability Ratings

What Is the Mesothelioma Disability Rating Through the VA?

The disability rating is a percentage assigned by the VA to describe how severely a service-connected condition affects a veteran’s health and ability to work.

Ratings range from 0% to 100%, with higher ratings qualifying for greater monthly VA disability payouts. The VA usually assigns veterans with mesothelioma a 100% disability rating since the cancer is very aggressive. Married U.S. veterans with a 100% rating qualify for $4,158.17 tax-free every month.

Other benefits of a 100% asbestos VA rating include:

Low-cost or free VA health care coverage
Special monthly compensation (SMC) for help with daily activities
Higher payouts for additional dependent family members

“When a veteran is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it's almost always going to be a 100% disability rating. And this disability compensation can go a long way towards helping provide for expenses and other things that come up during this particular time.”

– Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is proud to help veterans with this cancer maximize their VA disability rating to 100%. We are independent of the VA and can fight for the highest rating on your behalf. Our in-house VA-accredited attorney, Major Jonathan Nelson, is ready to assist you.

Get help boosting your mesothelioma VA disability rating to 100% right now — for free.

Requirements for a 100% Asbestos Exposure VA Rating

You’ll need to present several pieces of evidence if you’re looking to receive 100% VA disability compensation following a mesothelioma diagnosis.

To qualify for a 100% asbestos VA disability rating, you’ll need:

Proof of military asbestos exposure: You may need to provide records showing you were exposed to asbestos (the only known cause of mesothelioma) while serving. U.S. veterans were commonly exposed on Navy ships or in high-risk jobs like construction.
Confirmed diagnosis: These are medical documents verifying the mesothelioma diagnosis. Your military or civilian VA doctors can provide these.
Medical nexus: This is a statement from your doctor confirming your cancer stems from military asbestos exposure.

Major Nelson and our other VA-accredited attorneys can ensure this evidence is gathered before a disability claim is filed, saving you time, stress, and hassle.

We Can Help You Get a 100% Mesothelioma VA Disability Rating

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is the #1 resource for U.S. veterans and families facing this cancer. We can help you get a 100% VA disability rating by walking you through the VA benefit claims process at no cost.

Major Nelson is an expert in the VA process and is accredited to assist fellow U.S. veterans with their mesothelioma VA benefits claims.

Maximizing your asbestos VA disability rating is easy with our help:

Call our team (877) 450-8973 to check your eligibility
We’ll help you fill out the needed forms (VA Form 21-526EZ)
We’ll work with you to gather records proving your asbestos exposure history and diagnosis (such as medical documents and military information like form DD214)
With all of the information ready, we’ll help you file to get the highest VA rating possible

Once your mesothelioma VA disability claim has been filed, the VA will determine if you’re rated at a 100% disability.

Get help filing or increasing your asbestos VA disability rating for free from our experienced team.

Full List of VA Disability Ratings for Asbestos Exposure

The amounts below reflect VA disability ratings for U.S. veterans who have a dependent spouse. More or less compensation may be awarded in your case, depending on the number of dependents and your disability rating.

Remember: U.S. veterans with mesothelioma are almost always granted a VA 100% disability rating due to the aggressive nature of the cancer.

Asbestos VA Disability Rating	Monthly Payout
10%	$180.42
20%	$356.66
30%	$617.47
40%	$882.84
50%	$1,241.90
60%	$1,566.02
70%	$1,961.45
80%	$2,277.15
90%	$2,559.30
100%	$4,158.17

As shown above, a 100% VA rating pays significantly more than even a 90% rating. If you’ve been recently diagnosed, it’s very important to consider filing to increase your VA compensation package.

Do All Mesothelioma VA Claims Get a 100% VA Asbestos Rating?

While every case is different and there are no guarantees, it’s very likely you’ll receive a 100% asbestos VA disability rating after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

The VA assigns a 100% disability rating for active cancers such as mesothelioma. This reflects the significant impact mesothelioma has on a veteran’s health and quality of life.

Download VA forms for free here, or have our VA-Accredited Attorney fill them out for you!

VA Disability Ratings for Other Asbestos-Related Diseases

U.S. veterans can develop many other asbestos-related health problems besides mesothelioma. The VA provides different levels of disability compensation depending on the illness, its severity, and other factors.

Here’s what to know about asbestos VA ratings for:

Asbestosis: This isn't cancer, but rather a progressive lung disease. The VA may require a veteran to take a pulmonary lung function test to see how well their lungs are working, and then rate their level of disability from 10% to 100% based on the results.
Lung cancer: U.S. veterans with lung cancer are usually considered 100% disabled by the VA. U.S. veterans must show how they were exposed to asbestos or other substances that may have contributed to their lung cancer diagnosis when filing.
Pleural plaques: This is when hardened deposits are found in the pleura (lung lining). While it is not cancer, the VA has awarded disability ratings of over 50% in some cases for this asbestos-related health issue.

No matter which asbestos-related disease you’re facing, working with a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent can make the process easier.

Pursuing the highest VA disability rating possible while dealing with a health issue can be difficult, but experienced VA agents know how to properly assess your situation, gather evidence, and file claims on your behalf.

Appealing a VA Mesothelioma Disability Rating

If your claim is denied or your asbestos VA disability rating is lower than expected, you may be able to file an appeal.

VA disability appeals allow U.S. veterans to submit additional documentation, request a higher-level review, or present their case before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. During this process, new medical opinions or updated military service records may strengthen the claim. You must file a VA appeal within 1 year of your original decision.

Although appeals can take several months or longer, many veterans ultimately receive benefits after providing additional evidence.

If you’re looking to appeal your asbestos VA disability rating decision, it’s in your best interest to work with a VA-accredited lawyer like Major Nelson. They can help to make your VA claim as strong as possible so you can get the benefits you’re entitled to.

Get help pursuing your mesothelioma VA disability benefits now with help from Major Nelson.

What Are the Hidden Benefits of a 100% VA Disability Rating for Mesothelioma?

Besides having access to the maximum monthly VA disability compensation, a 100% VA asbestos disability rating provides many other benefits that U.S. veterans and their families may not be aware of.

Key benefits of a 100% asbestos VA rating include:

Free VA health care: The VA provides free health care coverage to U.S. veterans who have a disability rating of 50% or higher.
Co-pay reimbursement: You may be able to receive reimbursement for copays that you had to pay due to a lower VA disability rating.
Life insurance: The VA offers a $10,000 life insurance policy to veterans with a disability rating of 70% or higher. Premiums are waived for this policy.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): This benefit can help support a veteran's family if they pass away from a service-related disability. It pays $1,699.35 monthly as of 2026.
Travel reimbursement: U.S. veterans who need to travel for mesothelioma treatment can get reimbursed 45 cents per mile.

“A lot of the benefits that accrue when you have a 100% disability are things that can benefit the spouse or other family members while they still have the veteran with them or later on down the road. So there can be long-term benefits that come from getting your VA disability rate to the right number as soon as possible.”

– Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran

Working with VA-accredited attorneys like Major Nelson can make it easier to obtain a 100% VA asbestos disability rating and recover not only significant monthly compensation but also the additional benefits shown above.

Facing a serious cancer like mesothelioma is hard enough without worrying about your health care costs or what will happen to your family. Having the highest VA disability rating helps relieve some of that pressure.

Additional Compensation for U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma

Maximizing your asbestos rating is an excellent way to get the highest possible payouts after a mesothelioma diagnosis. However, the VA is not the only way U.S. veterans can recover compensation.

U.S. veterans may recover additional payouts through lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. These can potentially award millions of dollars without affecting a veteran’s disability rating or other benefits.

Here’s what to know about:

Mesothelioma lawsuits: These are filed against companies that made and sold asbestos-containing products while hiding the health risks. The average payout is $1 million, and the U.S. military and government aren’t sued.
Asbestos trust funds: Dozens of trusts have been established by bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. These funds contain over $30 billion, and you may qualify for compensation from multiple companies.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center’s legal partners at Simmons Hanly Conroy and Sokolove Law can assist veterans like you in getting compensation while maximizing your asbestos VA disability rating.

Both firms have fellow U.S. veterans and VA-accredited attorneys on staff, allowing those facing mesothelioma to receive 100% VA disability benefits and recover significant legal payouts at the same time.

“Don't fall into the trap that a VA claim is your best and only solution. The Veterans Administration does not pay you for any of your pain, any of the suffering you have, any of the loss of enjoyment of your grandchildren or your wife. That doesn't happen. If you go through the civil court system, we can make claims for all of those things and get you more fully compensated.”

– Ricky LeBlanc, VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyer

Get a free case review now to find out if you’re eligible to pursue mesothelioma legal compensation and a maximum asbestos VA disability rating at the same time.

Get Your Highest Asbestos VA Disability Rating

U.S. veterans with mesothelioma almost always qualify for a 100% VA disability rating, giving them maximum tax-free monthly compensation, the lowest VA health care copays, and greater peace of mind.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we're proud to help veterans like you get the most out of their VA benefits. Major Nelson and our other VA-accredited attorneys are ready to assist with your VA benefits claim at no cost.

We may be able to help you with:

Getting a 100% VA asbestos disability rating
Increasing your VA rating after a mesothelioma diagnosis
Recovering additional benefits for you and your family

"I’m proud to be able to help U.S. veterans to apply for VA disability benefits, and get approved for them, so that they are financially taken care of.”

– Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran

Call (877) 450-8973 or get free help increasing your mesothelioma VA disability rating from our team right now.

Mesothelioma Disability Ratings FAQs

Can you get VA disability for asbestos exposure?

Yes, it’s possible to get VA disability compensation if asbestos exposure led to a serious health issue like mesothelioma or lung cancer.

In fact, these cancers are typically assigned a 100% VA asbestos disability rating. This allows affected U.S. veterans to get the highest monthly disability payouts valued at $4,158.17, as well as free health care and other benefits.

Working to get the highest VA mesothelioma disability rating can be tough on your own. Major Nelson and our other VA-accredited attorneys can walk you through the steps for free. Contact us now to learn more about maximizing your VA rating for asbestos exposure.

What are the presumptive conditions for asbestos?

There are several presumptive conditions that the VA recognizes as being caused by asbestos exposure.

These include:

Mesothelioma
Lung cancer
Asbestosis
Pleural diseases like pleural plaques

It’s possible to recover VA benefits for any of these illnesses. However, it’s much more likely to get a 100% VA asbestos disability rating for mesothelioma or lung cancer, since these diseases are more serious than the others.

How long does it take to get a 100% VA disability rating?

It currently takes 69 days for the VA to decide whether a disability claim is approved and assign a rating.

Don’t wait to increase your asbestos VA disability rating after a mesothelioma diagnosis. The sooner you get started, the faster your rating may increase to 100%, giving you expanded financial and medical VA benefits.

Call (877) 450-8973 now to get started with help from Major Nelson, our VA-accredited asbestos attorney.

What factors affect my asbestos VA disability rating?

Although mesothelioma typically receives a 100% VA rating, the claims process still requires the VA to review several key factors before approving benefits.

These include:

Medical diagnosis: A confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness must be documented through pathology reports, imaging results, and physician statements.
Service-connected exposure: The VA must determine that the illness is related to military asbestos exposure. This involves reviewing service records and job duties during active duty.
Severity of the illness: The impact of mesothelioma on a veteran’s daily life and ability to work can qualify them for additional benefits.
Dependents and household status: Veterans with spouses, children, or other dependents may qualify for additional compensation beyond the base monthly payment.

These factors help the VA determine both eligibility and the total amount of monthly disability compensation available to eligible veterans.

Major Nelson and our other VA-accredited agents can help determine which factors might impact your mesothelioma VA rating and work to secure the maximum benefits possible.