A Mission That Hits Home
Major Nelson’s connection to asbestos-related disease is personal. His wife’s grandfather, a World War II Navy veteran, developed mesothelioma after serving aboard USS Yorktown (CV-10).
His aunt also battled lung cancer, which may have been linked to her years of federal service with the U.S. Department of Defense.
These experiences gave Major Nelson a deep understanding of how devastating mesothelioma can be — and why families deserve strong support and advocacy.
“So many companies knew that asbestos was dangerous, yet they deliberately hid the truth, choosing profits over the well-being of people using their products. I feel like monetary compensation is insufficient for people with mesothelioma, but at least they can secure a better financial future for their families and loved ones.”
Grounded in History, Guided by Justice
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised near Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Major Nelson grew up with deep ties to military culture and public service. Inspired by his father’s Air Force and National Park Service careers and his mother’s dedication as a teacher, he developed a lifelong interest in history, writing, and justice.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and History from the University of Virginia and his law degree from Wake Forest University. After law school, Major Nelson was commissioned as a Marine Corps judge advocate.
His career included deployment to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, teaching criminal law and trial advocacy at the Naval Justice School, and serving as the Staff Judge Advocate for the 2nd Marine Division.
Major Nelson is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major and VA-accredited attorney at Mesothelioma Hope. He helps veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma receive the VA benefits they may be entitled to. View Transcript.
Duration: 1 min 58 sec
My name is Jonathan Nelson. I am a VA-accredited attorney working with Mesothelioma Hope. I am here to help veterans. I wanted to provide for people who had served their country, protected their country, fought in wars on our behalf, and now are diagnosed with a cancer that, for many of them, was caused by their active-duty service itself. I want to make sure that they have the opportunity to get the benefits they need and are entitled to, and to ensure their families are provided for in the future.
I was in the United States Marine Corps for 15 years. I served as a judge advocate and worked as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and instructor at the Naval Justice School. I also handled appellate government law and served as the staff judge advocate for the Second Marine Division in North Carolina for a couple of years.
When a veteran has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, they need to know there’s support for them. We are able to provide medical information, connect them with good doctors and hospitals, and offer mental and spiritual support as well. Companies that have gone bankrupt due to asbestos litigation have paid into trust funds—money set aside for people diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
There’s currently over $30 billion available for people who have mesothelioma. This means that if you’ve been diagnosed, you may be able to file a claim for some of that money. We also help veterans file for VA disability benefits and guide them on the right path to make sure their families are cared for, even when they’re no longer able to do so themselves.
I like to help veterans who have fought for our country and served our country. I have a great deal of respect for those individuals, and I’m here to make sure they get the help and benefits they deserve.
Serving Veterans Beyond the Uniform
Major Nelson retired having earned the Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Even after leaving active duty, Major Nelson has continued to serve. He has represented veterans through the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program, is a member of the Virginia State Bar, and is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist former service members with their benefits.
“It’s my responsibility to know what a patient’s legal options are, especially within the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to make sure they are able to access benefits to which they’re entitled.”
Major Nelson lives in Central Florida with his wife Amy — a registered nurse and a gifted musician — their two sons, and their dog Eva.
He enjoys playing golf and pickleball, traveling (he’s visited 49 states and has only Alaska left on the list), and watching the fireworks at Walt Disney World, just a couple of miles from home.
How We Can Help
