What Are Mesothelioma VA Disability Claims?
Mesothelioma VA disability claims allow veterans harmed by asbestos during their service to get tax-free monthly benefits that help cover medical costs and living expenses.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of certain organs. It’s caused by asbestos, and symptoms typically don’t start until 10-50 years after exposure. From the 1930s to the early 1980s, every branch of the U.S. military used asbestos in ships, vehicles, buildings, and equipment without knowing the health risks.
If you’re a married veteran with mesothelioma, you may be eligible to receive $4,044.91 per month in disability benefits. This adds up to over $48,000 per year.
Money from mesothelioma VA disability claims can:
- Help cover medical expenses
- Make up for lost income
- Reduce financial stress for your family
The VA rates disabilities between 10% to 100% based on how severe it is. Mesothelioma cancer almost always qualifies for a 100% disability rating, meaning veterans can get the highest payouts possible.
Our team can help you file a claim for disability or increase your current disability rating after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn more.
2025 Mesothelioma VA Disability Rates
The amount you receive through VA disability for mesothelioma depends on your marital status and number of dependents (if any).
Here’s what the monthly payments look like in 2025 for veterans rated at 100%:
| Dependent Status | Monthly Compensation |
|---|---|
| Single Veteran | $3,831.30 |
| Married Veteran | $4,044.91 |
| Spouse + One Child | $4,201.35 |
| Each Additional Child Under 18 | +$106.14 |
| Spouse Needs Extra Care (A&A) | +$195.92 |
Filing mesothelioma disability claims can provide a reliable source of monthly income to help offset the high cost of treatment and out-of-pocket expenses.
Our team can help you track down your service records, job history, and anything else needed to file your VA mesothelioma disability claim. Contact us today to get started.
How to Qualify for Mesothelioma VA Disability
If you served in the military and now have mesothelioma, there’s a good chance you qualify for VA disability and other veterans benefits.
When reviewing mesothelioma disability claims, the VA looks for:
- A confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma
- Exposure to asbestos during active-duty service
- A discharge under honorable conditions
There are no age or income limits, and it doesn’t matter when you served. Even if your exposure happened decades ago, you can still qualify for mesothelioma veterans disability.
Surviving spouses and dependents don’t qualify for disability, but they can apply for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if their veteran family member passed away from service-related mesothelioma.
If you’re eligible for disability, you may also qualify for free VA health care and other benefits. Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide now to read more about your options.
Process to File Mesothelioma VA Disability Claims
Veterans who develop mesothelioma after military asbestos exposure deserve to be supported. Filing a mesothelioma VA disability claim is the first step toward financial security and reclaiming independence. Learn the steps to file below.
1. Notify the VA of Your Intent to File
The first step is to let the VA know you intend to file for disability. This starts the official timeline on your claim and protects your right to receive back pay.
Submitting an intent to file gives you time to gather supporting documentation without losing out on compensation during this waiting period.
2. Choose Which Way To File
There are two ways to file your mesothelioma disability claim:
- The first way is a standard claim, where the VA helps you gather the records and documents for your claim after it processes your application.
- The second option is a fully developed claim, where you collect all the supporting documents and send them to the VA as a complete package.
A fully developed mesothelioma disability claim takes more work up front, but will get reviewed by the VA more quickly.
3. Gather Relevant Documents
To file a successful claim, you need a formal mesothelioma diagnosis from a doctor. This diagnosis forms the foundation of your claim and must be documented in your VA records.
Other evidence for mesothelioma VA disability claims may include:
- A list of job sites you worked at during your military service (e.g., shipyards, Navy ships, bases, barracks, vehicles)
- Military records showing when and where you served
- Written statement from a doctor linking your diagnosis to military asbestos exposure
Mesothelioma Hope can help you gather these records and double-check that your application is complete before you file. Reach out to us at (866) 608-8933 for free help and support.
4. Submit Your Claim & Await VA Review
You’ll provide needed documentation along with a completed VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits).
Mesothelioma disability claims can be filed:
- In person at your local VA office
- Online via the VA’s eBenefits portal
- Through an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO)
Once your claim is submitted, the VA will review your service history, medical evidence, and supporting documents to determine if your mesothelioma is service-connected.
What Happens After You File for Mesothelioma Disability?
After the VA reviews your mesothelioma disability claim, you’ll receive a decision by mail with your disability rating. The average review timeline ranges from 90 to 120 days, but you may qualify for expedited review due to the seriousness of your mesothelioma diagnosis.
If the VA approves your mesothelioma disability claim, your first payment is typically issued within 15 days. Payments are usually made through direct deposit to the bank account you provided during the application process.
Along with this decision, you’ll receive a notification letter detailing your monthly benefit amount and whether any retroactive back pay is owed based on your intent-to-file date.
What If You’ve Been Denied?
If you have service-connected mesothelioma, it‘s very likely you’ll be approved for 100% disability benefits. In the rare event your claim is denied or you’re rated below 100%, you may still be eligible for compensation.
Here’s what you can do:
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
- File a Supplemental Claim with new evidence
- Request a Higher-Level Review
You can appeal the VA’s decision as many times as needed, and our team can offer mesothelioma VA disability claim assistance to help you get your full benefits.
How Can I Use Money From Mesothelioma VA Disability Claims?
Once you begin receiving VA disability for mesothelioma, you can use your monthly benefits however you choose.
Compensation from a mesothelioma disability claim can help pay for:
- Equipment like wheelchairs or oxygen tanks
- Home health care
- Meals and groceries
- Medications
- Monthly living expenses
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Transportation or travel to appointments
- Mesothelioma treatment at a VA hospital
- And more
Mesothelioma disability claims payouts aren’t taxed and don’t need to be reported as income on your tax return.
Get 100% VA Disability for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Veterans who developed mesothelioma due to military asbestos exposure deserve full financial support from the VA. In 2025, this could mean over $48,000 annually in tax-free benefits.
Mesothelioma Hope can help veterans and families:
- Seek a 100% disability rating to maximize their compensation
- File a disability appeal or supplemental claim
- Get their disability claim processed faster
- Access additional legal compensation
Call (866) 608-8933 or download your Free Veterans Compensation Guide to get started.
Mesothelioma VA Disability Claims FAQs
Does mesothelioma qualify for disability?
Yes. Mesothelioma is recognized by the VA as a service-connected disability if it can be linked to asbestos exposure during military service.
Asbestos was widely used by the military in ships, shipyards, barracks, vehicles, and planes up until the 1980s. If you were exposed to asbestos during active duty and later developed mesothelioma, the VA recognizes this as a service-connected disability.
You do not have to prove when or how the asbestos exposure occurred, only that your military service likely caused or contributed to the illness.
What is the VA disability rating for mesothelioma?
The VA gives mesothelioma a 100% disability rating. This is the highest rating, which means the VA understands how serious this disease is.
With a 100% rating, you may receive:
- The maximum monthly compensation, starting at $3,831.30 for 2025
- Free mesothelioma treatment through the VA
- Additional benefits like caregiver support, housing help, or Special Monthly Compensation
Call our team at (866) 608-8933 for free help with mesothelioma VA disability claims.
Is mesothelioma a disability?
Yes, the VA considers mesothelioma a disability. Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
If your exposure occurred during military service, the VA considers this a service-connected disability, making you eligible for VA disability compensation and health care benefits.
Can I get VA disability and legal compensation?
Yes, you can receive both VA disability benefits and legal compensation.
Many veterans sue the companies that made or sold asbestos products to force them to take accountability for their negligence.
Legal compensation through mesothelioma settlements and asbestos trust funds can provide significantly more financial support than VA benefits, with total payouts exceeding $1 million.
Do I need a lawyer to file a mesothelioma VA claim?
You don’t have to hire a mesothelioma lawyer to file a disability claim, but it’s strongly recommended.
The VA claims process can be confusing, and having a lawyer with experience in mesothelioma disability claims can improve your chances of getting approved quickly and receiving the full benefits you’re entitled to.
A skilled attorney can also help you pursue additional compensation from asbestos trust funds or mesothelioma lawsuits without affecting your VA benefits.
Need help getting started? Contact us today for a free case review. We’re here to guide you through the process and fight for the benefits you’ve earned.
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