Mesothelioma and Army Veterans

Why Are U.S. Army Veterans at Risk of Mesothelioma?

U.S. Army veterans that served before the early 1980s could develop mesothelioma and other life-threatening illnesses due to asbestos exposure.

The U.S. Army heavily relied on asbestos-containing products due to their durability and fire-resistant properties. In particular, U.S. Army bases were built with many asbestos-containing products. Army vehicles like trucks and jeeps used asbestos as well.

The Army had been consistently using asbestos for roughly 50 years before the risks became well-known in the 1980s. Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now offers medical aid and financial payouts to help veterans with mesothelioma.

The Mesothelioma Hope team, consisting of U.S. veterans, Patient Advocates, and VA-accredited claims agents can help you pursue VA benefits and other claims. Download your Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn how to get help for Army asbestos exposure.

How Did the U.S. Army Use Asbestos?

Though the U.S. Army wasn’t the largest consumer of asbestos (the U.S. Navy held that distinction), soldiers still were put in harm’s way on a regular basis from numerous asbestos-based products.

Army products that contained asbestos included:

• Brake pads
• Ceiling tiles
• Cement materials
• Fireproofing materials
• Flooring tiles
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Roofing materials
• Other construction materials

These products were used in a variety of ways by the U.S. Army, from making bases and buildings fireproof and well-insulated to helping military vehicle parts last longer.

Asbestos Use on U.S. Army Bases

There are almost 70 U.S. Army bases that are known to have used asbestos-containing products.

Army bases that used asbestos include:

Asbestos could be found throughout U.S. Army bases during this time. It was a primary component of insulation due to its heat-resistant properties and was used in many Army barracks and other buildings on these bases.

The list above contains only a few of the many Army bases that used asbestos. Don’t see your base listed? We can help — call (866) 608-8933 to learn if a U.S. Army base you served on used asbestos.

Army Jobs With High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Anyone exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma later in life. That said, U.S. Army personnel who directly worked with asbestos-containing materials had the highest risk of exposure.

The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers — tasked with building structures using asbestos-based products — were the highest-risk group. Construction activities like drilling and sanding released asbestos fibers into the air.

Other high-risk Army occupations were:

• Aircraft mechanics
• Carpenters and construction workers
• Demolition and renovation specialists
• Drywallers, insulators, and painters
• Electricians, plumbers, and pipefitters
• Firefighters
• HVAC mechanics

Army personnel working on these jobs handled asbestos on a daily basis, meaning their exposure risks were much higher than general soldiers.

Modern Risks of Army Asbestos Exposure

Today, soldiers who serve (or have served) in Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian countries may also be at risk of asbestos exposure. These countries still use asbestos-containing materials when constructing their buildings and structures.

Damage to these buildings during combat may release asbestos fibers into the air, putting modern-day Army personnel serving in these countries at risk of mesothelioma later in life.

Asbestos Use in U.S. Army Vehicles

Army vehicle parts were made with asbestos to help them last longer and, in the case of brake linings and pads, reduce friction.

Asbestos-containing parts in Army vehicles include:

• Clutch facings
• Brake linings
• Gaskets
• Transmission parts
• Undercoating
• Valves and heat seals

If Army vehicles needed repairs, the risk of releasing asbestos particles into the air grew exponentially. Exposure to these airborne asbestos fibers increased the odds of members of the armed forces inhaling or ingesting them and developing mesothelioma.

Our Patient Advocates can help you file for VA benefits if you or a family member developed mesothelioma after serving in the U.S. Army. Reach out to them right now to start the process.

VA Benefits for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma

Veterans of the U.S. Army who have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure are entitled to VA benefits. This includes health care and compensation.

Key mesothelioma VA benefits include:

• Disability compensation: U.S. military veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible for monthly tax-free disability payments. Married veterans with mesothelioma receive $3,823.89 every month through this benefit as of December 1, 2022.
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): A veteran who is already receiving disability compensation may collect this additional monthly payout if they have special needs (for example, a live-in caregiver).
• VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC): Surviving spouses and children of a veteran who died due to a military-related injury or illness (like mesothelioma) can receive this tax-free monthly VA DIC benefits.
• VA health care: Veterans with mesothelioma can get treatment from some of the best mesothelioma doctors in the world through the VA. Many VA health care services are low-cost or free.
• Other benefits: The VA benefits listed above are just a few that Army veterans with mesothelioma and their families may qualify for. Pension plans, reimbursement for burial costs, and other forms of financial compensation may be available.

Filing for Army Mesothelioma VA Benefits

Army veterans eligible for VA benefits can apply online (va.gov), in person at a VA regional office, or by mail.

Requirements to file include: 

• Discharge Status: Veterans are not eligible if they were dishonorably discharged.
• Disability During Active Duty: A veteran’s injury or illness must be the result of something that occurred during active duty, such as exposure to asbestos that caused mesothelioma.

VA benefits applications should be completed as soon as a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed. The sooner a VA claim is filed, the sooner the veteran can get their monthly payouts and pursue low-cost medical treatments.

Our team can help you file for Army mesothelioma VA benefits right now. Call (866) 608-8933 to get started, or learn more in our Free Veterans Compensation Guide.

Private Benefits for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma

Besides receiving financial aid and medical care from the VA, U.S. Army veterans with mesothelioma are entitled to private compensation as well. By filing private mesothelioma claims, veterans can sometimes receive millions of dollars.

Our partner law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, has secured the following private payouts on behalf of U.S. Army veterans:

• $4.3 million for a boilermaker
• $3.9 million for a painter
• $3.2 million for a maintenance worker
• $2.9 million for a pipefitter

Veterans can work with VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers to receive military benefits and file private claims. These mesothelioma lawyers can see when, where, and how a veteran was exposed to asbestos (which is crucial to building a VA claim) and demand compensation from makers of asbestos-based products.

Filing private claims will not impact a veteran’s ability to get VA benefits. Further, no legal action is taken against the U.S. Army or government.

Help for U.S. Army Veterans With Mesothelioma

U.S. Army veterans never deserved to develop life-threatening illnesses like mesothelioma simply from serving their country. Sadly, far too many U.S. Army veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year.

U.S. Army veterans need access to top-notch medical care and financial aid if they’re suffering from mesothelioma. And the good news is that both are available right now.

The Mesothelioma Hope team can help you or a loved one pursue VA benefits, medical treatment, and private compensation. Learn about all the ways we can help you in our Free Mesothelioma Guide — shipped overnight to you.