Why Do Veterans Get Mesothelioma?
Veterans get mesothelioma because the military used asbestos in ships, buildings, vehicles, and other equipment until the early 1980s without knowing it was dangerous.
Military veterans who worked with asbestos-containing products unknowingly breathed in or swallowed asbestos fibers on a daily basis, which can cause mesothelioma later in life.
Asbestos product manufacturers knew about the health risks for decades but chose not to warn the military or the public so they could keep making money.
Which U.S. Military Branches Used Asbestos?
All five branches of the military used asbestos for much of the 20th century:
- U.S. Air Force: Pilots, mechanics, and crew members like gunners may have been frequently exposed to asbestos.
- U.S. Army: Asbestos could be found in U.S. Army vehicle parts like gaskets and brake pads and construction materials like insulation and paint, which were used to build barracks and bases.
- U.S. Coast Guard: Those who worked on ships or in Coast Guard shipyards had a very high risk of exposure since many vessels contained asbestos.
- U.S. Marine Corps: Marines may have been exposed to asbestos from Air Force planes, bases, Navy ships, and vehicles.
- U.S. Navy: Almost every Navy ship was built with asbestos-containing products to keep them fireproof and resistant to corrosion.
If you or a loved one served in the military and now have mesothelioma, you may be entitled to disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You may also qualify to file private legal claims to get compensation for treatment and secure your family’s financial future.
Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn more about your options and see if you qualify for mesothelioma payouts.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Secondary asbestos exposure happens when military families living on base housing come into contact with asbestos on their loved one’s clothes, hair, or skin.
When service members returned home, asbestos fibers could easily transfer from them to their spouses and children.
This type of exposure can also lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
With VA benefits, you can receive mesothelioma treatment for free or at a reduced cost, along with monthly disability payouts for you and your family. Plus, you don’t need an examination from a VA doctor to receive these benefits.
VA Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is tax-free money paid monthly, with the specific amount depending on your disability rating. There are no income or employment requirements for disability payouts.
The VA considers mesothelioma a total disability, so veterans who have this cancer are eligible for the highest rating (100%). For 2024, disability compensation pays $4,044.91 per month to married veterans with mesothelioma.
“As a Patient Advocate and fellow veteran, I’m here to help our vets get the support they need after a mesothelioma diagnosis. I can help you file for VA disability benefits, access cancer treatment through the VA health care system, and much more.”
Contact Eric and our team today to get help filing for disability or increasing your existing VA benefits. It’s always free to speak with us.
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Another benefit is VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for veterans who need in-home medical care and support with daily activities.
SMC provides extra financial assistance to veterans who need to hire a nurse, health aide, or other professional caregiver.
If you qualify for SMC, you can receive $136.06 monthly in addition to your disability payout.
VA Pensions
To be eligible for a VA pension, you must have served on active duty during wartime, meet certain income requirements, and be permanently and totally disabled. Veterans with higher incomes may still qualify for a VA pension if they have significant medical expenses.
Monthly pension amounts are calculated by the VA based on the difference between your income and your Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), which is set by Congress.
For example, if you and your spouse have a combined annual income of $7,000 and your MAPR is $20,732, your VA pension would be $1,144.33 each month (or $13,732 for the year).
Veterans with mesothelioma who qualify for a pension may also be able to receive monthly Aid & Attendance benefits if they’re physically unable to care for themselves.
VA Survivors Benefits
Surviving spouses and dependent children can apply for tax-free benefits from the VA.
These include:
Get your copy of our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to better understand the full range of benefits available to you and your family.
What Do I Need to File for Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits?
You may need the following to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits:
- A letter from a doctor describing the link between your mesothelioma diagnosis and your military service (also known as a nexus letter)
- Medical records confirming your mesothelioma diagnosis
- Military service records
- Proof that you were not dishonorably charged (DD214 or other separation documents)
Mesothelioma Hope can help you gather all the necessary documents to file for veterans benefits.
U.S. veterans are at a high risk of mesothelioma due to widespread use of asbestos by the military. Call us at (866) 608-8933 to get help after a mesothelioma diagnosis. View Transcript.
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Veterans who served in the military between the 1930s and the 1980s were likely exposed to asbestos while they were on active duty, particularly sailors who served in the Navy who were exposed to asbestos as it was used throughout the ships.
Additionally, the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps all used asbestos during those time periods.
Any veteran who has mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to asbestos while serving in the military is entitled to VA compensation.
We encourage them to call Mesothelioma Hope so that we can work together to help them file for VA benefits.
VA Treatment for Veterans With Mesothelioma
Veterans with mesothelioma can access treatment from top surgeons and oncologists (cancer doctors) within the VA health care system at little to no cost. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation, and emerging therapies in clinical trials.
Some top VA mesothelioma treatment centers include:
2002 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
1400 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
1660 South Columbian Way
Seattle, WA 98108
11301 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90073
These facilities can also help you enroll in clinical trials if you’re interested and eligible to access emerging treatments.
Use our Free Doctor Match service to get connected with VA doctors and treatment centers near you.
Veterans and Mesothelioma Legal Compensation
Along with VA benefits, veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to seek financial support from asbestos trust funds and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements. Learn more about both options below.
Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts
Veterans with mesothelioma may be able to access some of the $30+ billion already set aside in asbestos trust funds.
Asbestos companies that filed for bankruptcy were ordered to create mesothelioma trust funds to compensate people harmed by their products. Most mesothelioma victims are eligible to file claims with multiple trusts, increasing their total payout.
A qualified mesothelioma lawyer can confirm whether you qualify for trust fund compensation and file claims with all trusts that you qualify for. Many veterans start receiving their first trust fund payouts within 90 days.
Mesothelioma Settlements
In addition to filing asbestos trust fund claims, veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit against the company (or companies) responsible for their illness.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements averaging $1 million to $1.4 million.
Noteworthy mesothelioma settlements and verdicts paid out to veterans include:
- $40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $34 million for a California Army veteran & auto mechanic
- $5 million for an Air Force veteran & roofer in Florida
- $4.25 million to a welder & Air Force veteran from Indiana
- $3.9 million for a Maryland Army veteran and painter
- $3.3 million for the family of a U.S. Marine veteran in Ohio
“We gave that money to our kids, paid all their debts off, paid our house off, and made our life a little easier because we had no financial worries.”
If a veteran passes away before they can take legal action, their family members may be able to pursue settlements through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Get Help Filing for Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits and Compensation
If you are a U.S. veteran with mesothelioma, don’t wait to file for VA benefits and compensation. You served our country with pride, and you deserve medical and financial assistance for your illness.
Outside of VA benefits, you can work with a lawyer to pursue mesothelioma veterans compensation through asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma settlements. When you file a lawsuit, you won’t be taking legal action against the U.S. military or government.
The Mesothelioma Hope team can help you pursue VA benefits, asbestos trust fund payouts, and legal settlements. Call us at (866) 608-8933 or download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to get started.
Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs
How many veterans have mesothelioma?
About 1,000 veterans develop mesothelioma each year in the U.S. This high incidence rate is due to the widespread use of asbestos in the military from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Asbestos was a common material in ships, vehicles, and buildings across all five military branches, particularly the U.S. Navy.
If you or a loved one is a veteran with mesothelioma, there are several options for support. You can apply for VA benefits that include free or reduced-cost mesothelioma treatment and monthly financial compensation.
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
The VA grants U.S. veterans with mesothelioma a 100% disability rating in most cases. This allows veterans to get the highest monthly payouts available from their VA benefits.
Contact our Patient Advocates at (866) 608-8933 to get help filing for mesothelioma disability benefits or increasing your disability rating after a diagnosis.
How much do veterans get paid for asbestos?
For 2025, married veterans with a 100% disability rating for mesothelioma can receive monthly payments of $4,044.91, totaling over $47,000 annually. These benefits are tax-free and can be used to pay for medical costs, living expenses, and other needs.
Mesothelioma veterans may also pursue compensation through legal settlements with asbestos manufacturers. These settlements award between $1 million and $1.4 million on average.
Some mesothelioma lawsuits have paid out even higher settlements, such as:
- $4.3 million for a boilermaker & Army veteran
- $4.25 million for an Air Force veteran & welder
- $3.4 million for a Navy veteran who served on the USS St. Louis
- $3.3 million for the family of a Marine Corps veteran & installer
- $2.9 million for an Air Force veteran
- $2.2 million for a Navy veteran & farmer
How do you prove asbestos exposure in VA claims?
To prove asbestos exposure in a VA claim, you have to show a clear connection between your military service and your asbestos-related illness.
Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need:
- Medical records confirming your diagnosis
- Military service records
- Nexus letter from your doctor explaining the connection between your diagnosis and service-related asbestos exposure
- Proof that your discharge was not dishonorable (such as a DD214 or other separation documents)
Our VA-accredited claims agents can help ensure your claim is well-supported and streamline the filing process. Connect with us now to get started.
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