01. Army Veterans’ Benefits & Compensation
Benefits for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma after Army service may be entitled to disability benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers compensation, healthcare options and other benefits for veterans with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
The United States Army used asbestos until the 1980s. However, Army personnel still may be exposed to asbestos in Army barracks or from equipment today. Because of the carcinogen’s widespread use, the VA has benefits to help veterans who develop diseases from Army asbestos exposure.
Compensation for Army Veterans Affected by Asbestos Exposure
Army veterans with an asbestos-related disease may be eligible for disability compensation. Filing a VA claim can help secure needed help for veterans who faced asbestos exposure in the Army.
Once a claim is filed, the VA will review the case and offer compensation based on set disability standards. Army veterans diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma from Army service exposure are considered 100% disabled by the VA. This results in maximum disability compensation. Other asbestos-related illnesses with lower disability ratings, such as mild forms of asbestosis, may result in less financial compensation.
In addition to filing a VA claim, Army veterans may get compensation by pursuing legal action. Other potential compensation options for Army veterans with asbestos-related illnesses include:
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers can help Army veterans determine the compensation options best for them. Some Army veterans may be eligible for multiple compensation options.
Some compensation examples include:
- A 45-year-old Army veteran received more than $3.39 million
- An 82-year-old Army and Air Force veteran received more than $2.28 million
- A 56-year-old Army veteran received more than $2.01 million
- A 60-year-old Army veteran received more than $1.38 million
- A 78-year-old Army veteran and carpenter received more than $1.09 million
Compensation Options Available to Family Members of Army Veterans
Family members of Army exposure victims may also be eligible for certain benefits from the VA. Dependents of an Army veteran who passed away because of a military-related asbestos disease may receive dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC). This is monthly compensation paid to the surviving spouse, child or parent of the Army veteran.
Other Benefits for Army Veterans
The VA offers several benefits for veterans beyond financial assistance. For example, veterans may qualify for housing grants, life insurance and health benefits.
Veterans who suffered asbestos exposure in the Army and have developed an asbestos-related disease may receive treatment at VA medical centers. Because of the widespread use of asbestos across military branches in the 20th century, these facilities often have doctors specialized in treating mesothelioma.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Army Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos Exposure in the Army
The Army relied on asbestos for many reasons, including its durability and fireproofing capabilities. During construction, the Army used asbestos in Army barracks, exposing military personnel to the harmful mineral when they slept. Other structures and equipment also had asbestos.
Asbestos-containing materials were also inexpensive and easily accessible. These perceived benefits led to asbestos use across all branches of the U.S. military through the 1970s.
Asbestos is low-risk when intact and left undisturbed. However, many of these asbestos products wear down easily from daily use and old age. Army asbestos exposure put soldiers and veterans at risk of asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos can be found in many buildings constructed before 1980, including throughout military bases.
The mineral was used most often for insulation purposes, but can also be found in:
- Cement
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Piping
- Roofing materials
- Siding
These construction materials could be found in barracks, mess halls and weapon storage areas.
U.S. Army Reserve Centers (ARCs), off-site locations used to train part-time military personnel, also used asbestos materials in their construction.
Army veterans are also at risk of exposure from military equipment. For instance, Army vehicles used asbestos to prevent fires in high-heat areas.
Army soldiers and mechanics assigned to maintaining and repairing vehicles were at risk of asbestos exposure. When performing maintenance work on the vehicles, fibers could become airborne. This posed a risk for individuals on base and in combat.
Risk of Secondary Exposure Due to the Army’s Use of Asbestos
Active-duty soldiers, construction workers, maintenance staff and mechanics frequently faced asbestos exposure in the Army. Other civilian workers and families may have also been exposed to asbestos. If loved ones lived on base, or a soldier returned home with the asbestos-contaminated clothing they wore on base, asbestos fibers may have been transferred and inhaled. Family members exposed in this way experienced secondary asbestos exposure.
03. Army Veterans’ Mesothelioma Risk
Mesothelioma Risk Among Army Veterans
Army asbestos exposure puts veterans and active personnel at higher risk for asbestos-related diseases. In fact, because the military used asbestos extensively throughout all branches in the 20th century, veterans comprise about one-third of mesothelioma diagnoses.
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 10 – 50 years. Meaning, Army veterans often are not diagnosed until years after their service-related asbestos exposure.
Malignant mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and occurs when asbestos fibers are ingested or inhaled. Once in the body, the fibers may embed in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.
Although the military has made efforts to protect active-duty soldiers from asbestos exposure, thousands of Army veterans have already been exposed to the carcinogen.
04. Mesothelioma Treatment for Veterans
Mesothelioma Treatment for Army Veterans
When seeking treatment for an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, Army veterans have options. Veterans who faced asbestos exposure in the Army can seek treatment at a local facility through the VA’s Community Care Network (CCN).
The CCN lets veterans see experienced mesothelioma doctors close to home. They may also seek treatment within the VA healthcare system.
05. Protection From Exposure
Protecting Army Veterans From Asbestos Exposure
The Army Public Health Center has worked to develop regulations to protect soldiers and other workers from asbestos exposure.
The Army’s Installation Asbestos Management Program
The Army implemented the Installation Asbestos Management Program in the late 1990s. The program was an effort to protect soldiers from asbestos exposure in the Army.
The program requires Army facilities in the United States and overseas to:
- Abide by asbestos regulations implemented on state and federal levels.
- Implement asbestos management plans to deal with any identified asbestos quickly and safely.
As a result of this program, some bases were required to perform asbestos abatement. Replacing the hazardous mineral with safer alternatives was also recommended as part of the program.
Department of Defense Reports Asbestos Health Risks Continue in the Army
Programs in place help mitigate Army asbestos exposure. However, a DoD report detailed that environmental health risks are also an issue at Army installations.
The April 2020 report noted mishandling of asbestos-containing materials at military installations. The DoD inspected asbestos handling at eight military installations, including two Army installations.
Specifically, the report noted:
- Five of the eight military installations did not have accurate records of the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials in the military family housing.
- Six of the eight military installations did not notify service members and their families living in the installation housing of the asbestos risk.
An Army spokesperson said all Army policies would be updated to align with the DoD health and safety hazard management policies within three months of DoD policy publication.
The issues found across military housing by the DoD highlight the asbestos hazards within the armed forces. The risk of asbestos exposure continues for Army personnel and their families.
Veterans exposed to asbestos through their service with the United States Army can hold the negligent parties responsible and receive compensation. Army veterans working with VA-accredited lawyers at experienced mesothelioma law firms can rest easy knowing their mesothelioma claim is being handled by professionals.
06. Common Questions
Common Questions About Mesothelioma and Army Veterans
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When was asbestos banned in the Army?
- The United States and the U.S. Army have not banned asbestos. The United States generally stopped using asbestos in Army barracks and other new construction nationwide in the 1980s. However, some older buildings and other equipment may still have asbestos present. The DoD actively monitors asbestos use.
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Is asbestos still used in the Army?
- The U.S. Army does not use asbestos in new construction. The United States stopped using asbestos in new applications by the 1980s. However, older buildings on Army bases and some equipment may still have asbestos. Although asbestos is considered safe while it is undisturbed, asbestos exposure in the Army remains a concern.
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How is asbestos used in the Army?
- The U.S. Army and other branches of service used asbestos products in buildings on bases, truck and tank parts and other vehicles. Some common places asbestos could be found include:
- Brake pads
- Clutch plates
- Ceiling tiles
- Floor tiles
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Roofing shingles
Because of the mineral’s use in the Army, asbestos exposure remains a concern.
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Where can Army veterans receive treatment for mesothelioma and are there specialized mesothelioma treatment centers near military bases?
- Veterans can seek care at local VA medical centers. Some of these centers specialize in asbestos diseases. Veterans may be eligible to go to closer mesothelioma cancer centers through the VA’s Community Care Network (CCN). If diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, Army veterans may want to speak with an experienced asbestos attorney to see what compensation options are available.
