Exposed to asbestos in the military?
“I’m an ex-Marine, and I’ve already beaten the odds,” said David Cutts, a pleural mesothelioma survivor and veteran. “I was given six months to a year to live six years ago. It’s important that people understand there is hope.”
Mesothelioma & Veterans
About 30% of annual mesothelioma claims come from veterans. You might have a high risk of asbestos exposure if you served in military occupations from 1930 to 1980. Every branch of the military relied on asbestos. VA benefits are available to veterans with mesothelioma.
VETERANS ARE AT A HIGHER RISK FOR MESOTHELIOMA.
THE MILITARY EMPLOYED THE WIDESPREAD USE OF ASBESTOS BETWEEN THE 1930S AND 1980S.
Symptoms
Army: Asbestos was used in barracks, vehicles and planes. Navy: Boilers, steam pipes and turbines used in shipbuilding contained asbestos.
Air Force: Asbestos was present in plane engines, brakes and insulation
Marines: Barracks, ships and vehicles all contained asbestos.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms tumors in the mesothelium, the thin tissue covering the internal organs. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treat symptoms like cough and breathlessness.
Asbestos-Related Diseases That Qualify for VA Benefits
Exposure to asbestos can lead to various health issues. Here are some asbestos-related diseases that may qualify you for VA benefits.
VA-Eligible Asbestos Diseases
- Asbestosis
- Bronchus cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
- Larynx cancer
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Pharynx cancer
- Pleural effusion
- Pleural plaques
- Urogenital cancers (except prostate)
Veterans who have mesothelioma deserve support to access the benefits available to them. We encourage you to reach out to a VA-accredited claims agent. They can guide you through the claim process and help you get the assistance you need.