Veterans Mesothelioma Resources and Legal Help
Asbestos exposure was unfortunately common for members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with veterans receiving 30% of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the U.S. While nothing can truly repay those who have sacrificed so much in the service of our country, many resources are available to veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, including a 100% VA disability rating and the enhanced benefits that come with it. The experienced mesothelioma lawyers with The Lanier Law Firm are here to help you explore your options.
- Content Reviewed by:
- Darron E. Berquist
- Page Last Updated:
- March 16, 2026
Navigate This Page
- Why Veterans Get Mesothelioma: Military Asbestos Exposure
- What Are the Treatment Options for Veterans With Mesothelioma?
- Mesothelioma Veteran Benefits and Financial Compensation Options
- Veteran Legal Help: Contact Our Talented Mesothelioma Attorneys
- Veteran Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Legal Questions
- Related Posts
Why Veterans Get Mesothelioma: Military Asbestos Exposure
Veterans across all branches of the military have been at heightened risk of asbestos exposure during their service because materials containing the mineral were widely used in ships, vehicles, aircraft, and even buildings on military bases. Service members may have inhaled asbestos fibers when these materials were damaged or disturbed, potentially leading to serious health problems later in life, including lung disease and mesothelioma.
Although asbestos was widely used in multiple commercial applications, exposing both civilians and military personnel, veterans have been disproportionately impacted. Military veterans comprise 7% of the U.S. population, but they account for 30% of mesothelioma cases.
Air Force
The U.S. Air Force extensively used asbestos throughout its facilities and equipment, including in brakes, insulation, adhesives, and even building materials on bases. As a result, Air Force personnel faced a high risk of exposure.
Army
Soldiers across various specialties faced asbestos exposure in the Army. Many Army barracks across the United States and overseas were built from the 1930s until around 1980, when asbestos was widely used in construction.
Coast Guard
Asbestos exposure in the Coast Guard was significant throughout the 20th century, particularly during World War II. Asbestos’s insulating properties made it widely used in shipbuilding and applications like boilers, pipes, and living-space bulkheads.
Marines
Marines were exposed to asbestos extensively during their service, both in buildings and on aircraft. Active duty Marines deployed overseas may also face exposure to asbestos still present in foreign buildings and infrastructure.
Navy
Decades of heavy asbestos use on ships and in shipyards put sailors at high risk of exposure in the Navy. Asbestos was practically everywhere on a Navy ship, from plumbing to the hull itself. Routine wear and tear from constant motion at sea released asbestos fibers into the air, especially during maintenance tasks.
For additional resources and legal help tailored to your specific needs, click on the links below.
Military Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
Extensive use of asbestos within the U.S. Armed Forces between the 1930s and the late 1970s presents a potential health risk for veterans who served during this period. Asbestos was widely used in various military applications due to its desirable properties, such as affordability, durability, and heat resistance.
The following military occupations carry a high likelihood of asbestos exposure:
- Aircraft mechanics
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Engine mechanics
- Firefighters
- Machinists
- Maintenance workers
- Metalworkers
- Plumbers
- Ship builders
- Shipyard workers
This list is not exhaustive. Veterans who served during the aforementioned timeframe should be aware of the potential for asbestos exposure, regardless of specific occupation. If you have concerns about potential exposure during your military service, consulting a health care professional and an asbestos exposure attorney is crucial to understanding your individual risks and exploring available resources.
Exposed to asbestos in the military? Call us today at (800) 723-3216 for a free consultation.
What Are the Treatment Options for Veterans With Mesothelioma?
The best mesothelioma treatment will be different for each veteran. While mesothelioma is currently incurable, your life expectancy can be significantly extended through one of the following options:
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Tumor-removing surgery
- Tumor-treating fields, or TTF
- Complementary and alternative medicine for mesothelioma, or CAM
It’s important to consult a knowledgeable mesothelioma doctor to determine which treatment is best for you. Some of the top specialized treatment centers across the U.S. include:
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center
- Duke Health
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Baylor Medicine Lung Institute
- City of Hope
- Mercy Medical Center
- Pacific Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- New York-Presbyterian
- Moffitt Cancer Center
Mesothelioma Veteran Benefits and Financial Compensation Options
Thankfully, there are many options available to veterans and their families for recovering compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis. The financial security these options provide can help ease your stress and allow you to spend more quality time with your family. A VA claim for asbestos exposure can also help cover health care costs and ensure you receive the best possible treatment for your illness.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Mesothelioma VA Claims and Benefits
If you’re a veteran exposed to asbestos during your service, the VA offers the following comprehensive veteran mesothelioma benefits:
- Monthly disability compensation: Veterans with service-connected disabling conditions like mesothelioma can receive tax-free payments to support them financially. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer generally qualify for the highest tier of payments automatically.
- Health care: Veterans with qualifying conditions, such as mesothelioma, can receive free medical treatment from the VA with no copays.
- Pensions: Veterans 65 years or older with limited income and assets may qualify for a VA pension to help support them in retirement. However, those with mesothelioma or other conditions with a 100% disability rating may receive too much income from disability compensation to be eligible for pension benefits.
- Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits: Those who are eligible for VA pensions can also receive additional payments to help with disabilities that require daily care or keep a veteran mostly confined to their home.
- Survivor benefits: If a veteran dies from an asbestos-related illness, their surviving family may be eligible for survivor pension benefits, VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, and health care coverage.
Trust Fund Claims for Veteran Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos product manufacturers and sellers that have filed for bankruptcy have established Asbestos trust funds. The funds compensate victims of asbestos exposure, including veterans exposed during military service.
There are specific criteria for eligibility, but veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their military service and have received a mesothelioma diagnosis may qualify for compensation from these trust funds. Compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
An advantage of trust funds is the streamlined claims process compared to lawsuits. Our knowledgeable asbestos exposure attorneys can assist you in navigating the trust fund claims process and ensure you get the compensation you’re entitled to receive.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits for Veteran Asbestos Exposure
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or a similar illness related to your military service, you may be entitled to compensation for your treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can not only provide financial security for you and your family, but also hold the parties responsible for your exposure accountable.
Our award-winning mesothelioma attorneys can determine your eligibility for a lawsuit. If your loved one passed away from an asbestos-related illness, we can help you pursue a mesothelioma wrongful death claim.
Get a Free Legal Consultation
- Experienced mesothelioma attorneys who can help you get the compensation and veterans’ benefits you deserve
- Billions recovered for asbestos exposure victims across the country
- No upfront costs or fees
Veteran Legal Help: Contact Our Talented Mesothelioma Attorneys
If you’re a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, The Lanier Law Firm understands the challenges you’re facing and the toll your condition takes on you, both physically and emotionally:
- Our compassionate attorneys are committed to providing top-notch, personalized service and support to veterans like you.
- We have a proven track record of taking on large companies and helping veterans recover compensation for mesothelioma, securing billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.
- Our team is deeply experienced in military asbestos exposure claims and understands how to build a strong case.
- We’re well-versed in filing claims with the VA and asbestos trust funds, helping us maximize your available compensation.
- We charge no upfront fees, and you won’t owe us anything unless you win your case.
Contact The Lanier Law Firm online or call (800) 723-3216 today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you.
Darron E. Berquist is dedicated to asbestos exposure and product liability. He was part of the team that secured a $4.69 billion jury verdict in Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson, linking asbestos in talcum powder to ovarian cancer. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Mass Tort and Product Liability Litigation (2024-2025).
Veteran Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Legal Questions
Is Mesothelioma a VA Disability?
Yes, the VA generally assigns a 100% VA disability rating for mesothelioma. Thus, veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma qualify for the highest level of VA disability compensation.
What Is the VA Rating for Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Illnesses?
Generally, the VA assigns a 100% disability rating for mesothelioma or lung cancer, providing the highest possible VA compensation rate. The rating for other conditions can vary greatly depending on your individual circumstances. Asbestosis can be rated anywhere from 10% to 100%, while pleural plaques may range from 0% to 100%.
What Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits Are Available?
If you’re a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, the VA offers comprehensive support. You’re eligible for the highest tier of VA disability benefits, meaning tax-free monthly payments to help manage medical and living expenses.
In addition to compensation, the VA Health Care system provides free medical care for veterans with service-connected mesothelioma. This includes treatment, medication, and supportive care. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for additional VA benefits like pensions, aid and attendance, or caregiver support. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer to help you explore all available options.
Can You Sue the Military for Asbestos Exposure?
You cannot directly sue the military for asbestos exposure. While legal action against the military itself isn’t an option, other avenues can provide financial support and resources during this challenging time.
An asbestos exposure lawyer can help determine the best option for compensation, including pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit, receiving awards from asbestos trust funds, or claiming VA disability benefits.
How Do You Prove Asbestos Exposure in the Military?
Proving military asbestos exposure for VA disability benefits can involve multiple documents, including military discharge papers, medical and service records, and buddy statements. The VA will consider all this evidence, and while there may not be a single “proof” of exposure, a comprehensive picture can increase your claim’s success.
An asbestos attorney can guide you through the process, investigate potential sources of exposure, and help you gather the necessary documents.
Where Was Asbestos Used in the Military?
Decades ago, military ships, bases, vehicles, and aircraft were built with asbestos. This fire-resistant and insulating material was used in everything from boilers and pipes on Navy ships to brake linings in tanks and insulation in barracks. Even mechanics working on aircraft risked exposure to asbestos from parts like brakes and gaskets.
How Much Does It Cost To File a Military Asbestos Lawsuit?
There are no upfront costs to you for filing a military asbestos lawsuit. We cover all costs, including evidence gathering, trial fees, travel expenses, and more. We want to ensure you are focused on your health and well-being while we handle all legal aspects of your case.
If your claim isn’t successful, you don’t owe us any fees. Should you receive compensation, we collect a percentage of your award or settlement.
Why Choose Us?
Proven Track Record
We’ve secured billions of dollars in mesothelioma verdicts and settlements for veterans, including a $3.7 million award for a Navy veteran.
Compassionate Care
We understand the physical and emotional toll of mesothelioma. Our team offers personalized attention and will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Expertise in Military Asbestos Exposure
We know the locations and types of asbestos exposure commonly faced by veterans.
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