Mesothelioma and Veterans - VA Claims, Types of Benefits, Eligibility and Application Process

Veterans represent the largest group of people who suffer from mesothelioma, accounting for 30% of all diagnosed cases. Due to the prevalent use of asbestos in the military, particularly in the U.S. Navy, veterans who served between 1930 and 1975 are at a high risk of developing this form of cancer. However, there is a series of financial benefits veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma can receive from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including disability compensation and health care, as well as dependency and indemnity compensation.

Veterans Exposed to Asbestos and Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring toxic minerals, which was deemed carcinogenic by numerous government agencies in the US, was widely used after the Industrial Revolution due to its heat and chemical resistance, durability, and inability to conduct electricity. Exposure to asbestos is currently the only known cause of mesothelioma, a very rare and aggressive form of cancer occurring on the outer lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen or testicles. The main risk factors for developing mesothelioma include working in a high-risk occupation or serving on military ships or facilities built with products containing asbestos.

It was not until the early 1970s that the tremendous health risks entailed by asbestos exposure were discovered and properly assessed. Preponderantly involved in construction and various industries such as automotive, asbestos was also used in the U.S. Military. It was present in ships, tanks, barracks, aircraft and multiple other infrastructure projects, mainly in the form of insulation. Asbestos is estimated to have been a raw material involved in over 300 products in the U.S. Military until the mid-1970s. Thus, thousands of veterans are suffering nowadays from mesothelioma and their number is constantly increasing. Nevertheless, it is worthy of note that the U.S. Military was not directly responsible for exposure since a large number of manufacturers withheld essential information regarding the dangers of asbestos from them.

Common Misdiagnosis of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare and complex type of cancer. Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma are the same as those likely to be caused by other conditions, so they can be easily mistaken for the signs of non-malignant respiratory conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, diffuse pleural thickening, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis or other bronchial infections. It would not be unusual for mesothelioma to be misdiagnosed as lung cancer either, because both resemble each other in terms of symptoms. Consequently, if you have a history of asbestos exposure, it is important to find a specialist who can diagnose or confirm your condition quickly in order to get an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis and the right treatment plan. Seeking a second opinion from a mesothelioma specialist is crucial if you have a history of asbestos exposure. Additionally, an incorrect diagnosis will also prevent victims from claiming the amount of financial compensation they are eligible for.

Which Military Occupations Entail the Highest Risk for Mesothelioma?

Due to its heat resistance and low costs, asbestos was present in all types of insulation required by various military applications. Tanks, ships, aircraft, and barracks, as well as multiple other transport vehicles, were all lined with a protective layer of asbestos, which would prevent them from catching fire. Asbestos was used by all branches of the U.S. Military, being more prevalent in the Navy.

Although virtually every member of the U.S. Military was exposed to asbestos between the 1930s and 1970s in one form or another, for short or prolonged periods of time, there is a series of occupations, which place veterans at a significantly higher risk for being diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos was extensively used for its practical properties, convenient cost, and accessibilitywithin all branches of the military. However, these toxic minerals tended to be more common in certain materials. Therefore, mesothelioma is more prevalent in veterans whose job involved frequent contact with asbestos-containing materials.

Navy

Veterans who served in the U.S. Navy have the highest risk of developing mesothelioma since asbestos was significantly more common in this branch. The vessels were permanently packed with asbestos-containing materials and the toxic minerals were also frequently used for shipbuilding, maintenance, and repairs. Moreover, starting with 1938, layers of asbestos would also protect a ship's walls, engine rooms, doors, flooring, and piping. To make matters worse, the production of asbestos-laden vessels by the U.S. Navy increased dramatically as World War II was approaching. Thus, due to the extensive use of asbestos, navy veterans who were active between 1938 and the early 1990s are particularly more prone to being affected by mesothelioma. Jobs on Navy ships that put veterans at risk of mesothelioma:

• pipefitter
• welder
• boiler technician
• molder
• machinist mate
• seabee
• engineman
• steelworker
• radioman
• storekeeper
• metalsmith
• damage control man
• fire control technician

Air Force

Asbestos was present both in aircraft and military bases in the U.S. Air Force. In 2002, a study conducted by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the prevalent use of asbestos in U.S. Air Force facilities. The carcinogen was discovered in pipe insulation, ceiling tiles, cement wall insulation and floor tiles in multiple military bases. However, aircraft were not safe either, as asbestos would fireproof gaskets, brakes, engines, electrical wiring and torque valves. Additionally, civilian contractors who were assigned jobs in Air Force bases might have been exposed to asbestos as well. The following Air Force jobs are associated with a particularly increased risk:

• environmental support specialist
• aircraft mechanic
• aircraft electrician
• welder
• vehicle mechanic
• boilerman

Marine Corps

The U.S. Marine Corps was not protected from asbestos either. Although exposure occurred on the ships, aircraft and armored vehicles they used, it was their association with the U.S. Navy, which entailed the highest risk. The wide prevalence of asbestos in various components of the ships, which transported the marines during the second half of the 20^th century, along with poor ventilation, represented a hazardous environment, responsible for numerous cases of mesothelioma among veterans nowadays. Moreover, the U.S. Marine Corps was also in contact with the toxic minerals on land, since the heat resistance of asbestos made it a very suitable material for bedding and piping insulation. Some of the high-risk Marine Corps jobs included:

• mechanic
• marines who were deployed on Navy ships

Army

For the majority of the U.S. Military branches, exposure to asbestos would occur during the 20^th century, when its use was extremely widespread, as the severe health dangers associated with this group of minerals were still unknown. However, the U.S. Army is an exception in this respect. Even though exposure happened between the 1930s and the 1970s to a great extent, there is also a more recent risk involved. Veterans who served in the Iraq war may have been in prolonged contact with asbestos, which was used by various companies for construction. During the last century, the carcinogen has had similar purposes within the U.S. Army, being incorporated in insulation, flooring, plumbing systems, and roofing, as well as in vehicle components such as clutch plates, brake pads, and gaskets. The following Army jobs put veterans at a very high risk of developing mesothelioma:

• millworker
• carpenter
• aircraft mechanic
• plumber
• artilleryman
• demolition worker
• pipefitter
• infantryman
• construction worker
• vehicle mechanic
• heating system worker

Coast Guard

The vessels and aircraft which were used by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure maritime security and safety were also built with asbestos-containing materials and products. Even though the number of veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma who served as coast guards is lower than the figures for the other U.S. Military branches, the frequency of exposure to asbestos was relatively similar in their case as well. The reason why there are fewer cases of diagnosed mesothelioma among this group of veterans is related to its reduced size, the U.S. Coast Guard representing approximately one-tenth of the U.S. Navy. World War II implied a particularly increased risk for asbestos exposure and veterans who were active within the U.S. Coast Guard during that time span are thus more likely to develop mesothelioma. Jobs at high-risk included:

• shipyard worker
• insulation worker

Types of Benefits Available to Mesothelioma-Diagnosed Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos can seek a variety of benefits including:

• Asbestos Trust Funds- Also known as mesothelioma compensation funds, asbestos trust funds were created by bankruptcy courts as a way for injured claimants or their family members to seek compensation for personal injury or wrongful death. Asbestos funds are managed by boards of trustees who are required to ensure the funds make appropriate payments to all qualified victims of asbestos-related injuries without the hassle of going to trial.
• VA Disability Compensation - In order to receive disability compensation, a veteran's level of disability will be assessed and subsequently rated from 0 to 100 percent. The compensation sum is dependant on the severity of the disability. Nevertheless, a veteran suffering from mesothelioma will be assigned the maximum disability level due to the aggressive nature of the disease and will be offered a monthly sum of approximately $2,800 if they are single or $3,000 if married. Additionally, benefits may increase if there are one or multiple persons such as children who are dependent on the veteran's income.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is another type of tax-free benefit which the family of a deceased veteran may be eligible for. In order to qualify for this benefit, the veteran must have passed away either while on duty in the military or following a disease caused by asbestos exposure such as mesothelioma. It involves receiving a monthly sum of approximately $1,200 in the case of a surviving spouse, while the financial compensation increases for spouses with dependent children.
• Health care benefits are offered exclusively to veterans who are enrolled in the VA's health system. Thus, they are eligible for receiving treatment at any VA hospital, regardless of their residence or whether they are already undergoing a form of treatment for mesothelioma.
• Aid & Attendance - Veterans who are severely disabled, bedridden or housebound in any other way and require the aid and attendance of another person can benefit from a special monthly compensation as well. The sum they receive depends on the degree of their disability, generally ranging from $250 to $650. Moreover, the special monthly compensation may also be awarded to the veteran's family, and if their spouse needs permanent aid and attendance as well, the financial benefits will increase with approximately $140 per month.
• VA pensions are offered to disabled veterans with low incomes. However, in order to be eligible for this benefit, a veteran must have been severely injured while serving and must not have had less than 90 days of active duty, of which at least one must have overlapped wartime. It is also important to mention that veterans who served on September 7th, 1980 must have 24 months of active duty, with at least one day falling during wartime and the income of their family must also be below the limits established by the U.S. Congress.
• Military funeral honors - provided by The Department of Defense both to veterans who served during wartime and to those who were on duty during peacetime. Even though funeral honor requests are directly managed by The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, the family of a deceased veteran can also be assisted by funeral directors in numerous cases.

Asbestos Trust Funds Claims Requirements for Mesothelioma Patients Who Served in the U.S. Military

Veterans who served in the U.S. Military between the 1930s and mid-1970s and have been affected by mesothelioma or another type of asbestos-related disease may be eligible for substantial compensation. Asbestos trust funds have been established in order to provide current and future claimants with financial compensation. A mesothelioma trust fund is created on behalf of negligent asbestos companies that filed bankruptcy after settling mesothelioma lawsuits. In order to receive financial compensation, veterans must meet a series of eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements for Veterans

• Proof of disease - For a valid mesothelioma claim, medical documentation of diagnosis from the treating hospital or physician, including X-Rays, MRIs, CAT scan and biopsy, must show mesothelioma as the primary cancer.
• Proof of exposure - Military records describing your duties, how long you served in the military, as well as how asbestos exposure occurred during your service must also be presented along with the other documents.
• Social security records from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Statute of Limitations - The amount of time a legal claim for mesothelioma can be processed represents the statute of limitation. Most states have a statute of limitations for asbestos claims of between 1 and 3 years.

Eligibility Requirements for Family Members

• Proof of exposure - Family members must demonstrate how exposure to asbestos occurred while the veteran was on active duty and they also have to include Military Occupation Specialty, as well as the location they were stationed at while exposure happened.
• Significant impact - Family members of a deceased mesothelioma patient must show their loved one's death has a substantial impact on their lives. This impact can be either emotional or financial, or both. Emotional damages include pain and suffering, loss of love, companionships and nurturing. Financial loss includes medical costs for mesothelioma treatment as well as funeral expenses. It can also include financial contributions to the family the victim would have made if they were still alive.
• Statute of Limitations - When the victim dies, the statute of limitations for a trust claim begins immediately after the death.

Trusts Payout Based on the Level Severity of the Disease

Asbestos trusts use 'disease levels' to ensure that the limited amount of money in the trust is paid out fairly. Consequently, a veteran's compensation will depend upon the level of the disease. Mesothelioma is on top of the list, while non-malignant diseases have been deemed to cause the least distress to asbestos victims.

Disease levels in order of the most severe to the least severe condition:

• Level 8 - Mesothelioma
• Level 7 - Lung Cancer 1
• Level 6 - Lung Cancer 2
• Level 5 - other forms of Cancer
• Level 4 - Severe Asbestosis
• Level 3 - Asbestosis/Pleural Disease 2 with significantly restricted function
• Level 2 - Asbestosis/Pleural Disease 1 without significantly restricted function
• Level 1 - other asbestos diseases

It is important to highlight the fact that asbestos trust funds pay out money depending primarily on the severity of your diagnosis. Thus, a false diagnosis may lead to recovering a smaller amount of money from asbestos trust funds than you are entitled to. Up to 32 percent of people who were suffering from mesothelioma had been diagnosed with a different disease before receiving the correct diagnosis. We strongly encourage you to seek the opinion of at least two medical experts, preferably some who specialized in asbestos-related diseases.

Quality Legal Assistance for Mesothelioma-Diagnosed Veterans

When you get diagnosed with a devastating disease such as mesothelioma as a consequence of past asbestos exposure, your first concern will probably be to get effective treatment as soon as possible. In order to receive compensation, you have to file a claim with the asbestos trust fund set up by the company responsible for your injury.

An experienced attorney specialized in asbestos litigation cases can speed up the process significantly. Attorneys at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. have recovered $1.4 billion for over 25,000 asbestos victims and their families. If you are struggling with mesothelioma which developed as a result of workplace exposure, do not hesitate to contact our team and we will explain the procedures and possible limitations on what you may recover from a trust claim. With minimal effort on the part of the victim, we can provide a clear path through the process and can also negotiate with the trust funds to obtain the maximum compensation for you.