Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits

Military service members face a high risk of asbestos exposure when serving overseas, especially when working in or near building demolitions, explosions and damaged structures.

Veterans who served from the 1930s through the 1990s also experienced exposure outside combat zones during the everyday course of performing their duties, with Navy personnel facing the highest levels of exposure. The result is that veterans make up the largest group of individuals in the United States diagnosed with mesothelioma every year.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits to veterans diagnosed with this devastating disease, but veterans must apply for them.

Eligibility

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to receive financial compensation and free health care. To be eligible, you must have served on active duty and must not have been dishonorably discharged.

How does the VA define active duty for the purpose of benefits?

An active duty service member is a member of the following uniformed services:

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Services
National Guard and Reserve who have been called up for active duty