The Most Reliable Mesothelioma Resource for Veterans
Founded by U.S. veterans, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center has assisted over 3,600 families since 2015. If you’ve been diagnosed, Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), an expert in the VA claims process, can help you access the benefits, treatments, and compensation you deserve right now.
Every year, veterans and families put their trust in our team for help after a mesothelioma diagnosis. See just a few ways we support veterans.
Over 3,600
veterans and families helped to date
100+ Years
of military and medical experience
$10.3 Billion
secured to date for veterans and civilians
Services We Offer to Veterans and Their Families
Explore all the ways we assist veterans like you in the face of a mesothelioma diagnosis. From accessing VA benefits to finding the right doctor, our experienced team can do it all.
Filing for VA Benefits
Major Nelson can help you access key VA benefits like $4,158.17 in monthly payouts and free or low-cost health care.
We have over 500 doctors and 150 cancer centers in our network, including VA doctors and treatment centers, that we can connect you with after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Our team consists of proud U.S. veterans with VA accreditation, registered nurses, and legal professionals. They can answer your questions and guide you through the steps to get benefits.
Major Nelson is a VA-accredited attorney with decades of military and legal experience. In his role at the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, Major Nelson leads efforts to help veterans obtain the VA benefits they deserve and understand their options. His wife’s grandfather, a World War II veteran, developed mesothelioma after serving aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10), so the mission is personal for him.
Coming from a family of U.S. veterans, Jonathan was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later taught criminal law and trial advocacy at the Naval Justice School and served as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Second Marine Division.
Video Summary: Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret.) is a veteran and experienced VA-accredited attorney. At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, he helps veterans get VA benefits and other resources.
Liz is a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience helping patients. As a board-certified patient advocate, Liz brings deep medical knowledge to help veterans and families make sense of a mesothelioma diagnosis and learn about their options at no cost.
Amy is a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience assisting patients and families affected by mesothelioma. Supported by 10+ medical assistants, registered nurses, and a licensed practical nurse, she provides free support for any patient.
During his time in the Marines, Captain Cooke served as a company commander and prosecutor, handling cases involving terrorism and corruption. As an attorney, he has over 20 years of experience in securing compensation for mesothelioma patients.
If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma, you’ll qualify for maximum VA benefits like disability payouts and free or low-cost health care. Major Nelson can help you file for VA benefits or maximize your disability rating for free.
“I want to make sure veterans with mesothelioma can get the benefits that they need now and that their families are provided for.”
Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney
Top VA Benefits for Mesothelioma
Disability Compensation: If you have mesothelioma, we can help you pursue 100% disability worth $4,158.17 monthly.
VA Health Care: With VA health care coverage, you can get free or low-cost mesothelioma treatments from top doctors within the military’s network.
VA DIC: We help families access $1,699.35 a month if they lost a veteran they love to service-connected conditions like mesothelioma.
Survivors Pension: Families below a set income may qualify for a monthly pension if a veteran died from mesothelioma connected to their service.
Prior to the early 1980s, every U.S. military branch relied on asbestos-containing materials. Service members did not know that asbestos could lead to mesothelioma later in life.
Select your branch to learn how asbestos was used and the next steps to take after a diagnosis.
Our nurses and VA-accredited attorneys regularly review our site to ensure we’re providing the most accurate information possible. Explore key topics related to mesothelioma, military asbestos exposure, and more below.
Veterans facing mesothelioma can pursue legal compensation potentially worth millions of dollars with no impact to their VA benefits. Explore your legal options now.
Free Case Review
Learn how we can help you recover mesothelioma compensation worth $1 million+ on average for your family.
As the most trusted source for veterans with mesothelioma, we’re honored to feature the stories of service members we’ve helped. Hear how veterans like you accessed the VA benefits and resources they deserved.
Video Summary: Military veteran Walt talks about his time in the U.S. Navy, being diagnosed with mesothelioma, and filing a mesothelioma claim.
View Transcript
The word mesothelioma I didn’t know anything about. When I turned 70 I started getting pneumonia, but then as time went on they kept getting closer and closer and closer together [the occurrences] and I asked the doctor, I said, I wanna know why.
And they sent me downstairs to get a chest X-ray and the X-ray made it back before I got back up there.
He says, we're gonna go inside and take a look. He come up right to my bedside after the operation and showed me the pictures they took on the inside of the lung and he pointed out the cancer.
I really can’t explain it. I got a knot in my stomach, you know. But he told me then that there was no cure for it.
I was impressed by the Navy – seeing my uncle in that Navy uniform, you know – take pictures of him. So I just decided when I come outta school that I was gonna join the Navy.
I was very proud of that uniform. I was a boiler tender when I went aboard my first ship and started doing my first job. They told me — I asked them what the material was made out of and they told me it was asbestos.
It didn’t kill anybody on the spot that’s for sure, but it took years later when it started catching up with us. But, my understanding [is] that the powers-that-be knew.
I didn’t wanna sue my government and I damn sure didn’t wanna sue the Navy cause they're still feeding me. I wasn’t suing the government, I wasn’t suing the U.S. Navy, I was suing the manufacturer.
It was only 2 or 3 days and he was here [the lawyer]. He came and seen me, talked to me personally. He knew what kind of a man I was and how involved I was with my job in the Navy. Felt very comfortable with them. I was watching the way they handled it, they did good.
[It was] positive thinking, there was nothing negative about it, it was positive. They were prepared, they could go back to day 1, and I appreciated that. There was no guessing about it, they had the paperwork to back them up.
It was a hands-on approach I guess, and that’s what drew me. Cause that’s the way I do things – a hands-on approach. They damn well earned it.
After serving in the military, Art was exposed to asbestos as a civilian mechanic and later developed mesothelioma. Our team helped Art get a payout to cover his medical bills, pay his house off, and much more.
Art Putt U.S. Army & Air Force veteran
“They treated us like family, and they cared about us like family.”
Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma when he was in his mid-50s, while he was still working to make ends meet. With medical bills mounting, Alan and his family worked with our team to get compensation and peace of mind.
Alan Bonnin U.S. Army veteran
“They took care of everything. I didn’t do much besides pick up the phone.”
Linda served as her father's primary caregiver following his mesothelioma diagnosis after decades of asbestos exposure. We were able to help Albert file a lawsuit, allowing the family to get a financial payout and justice.
Linda Maple Daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran
"They will be there by your side the whole way through."
Find Top Mesothelioma Doctors for Veterans
Veterans facing mesothelioma deserve the best medical care possible. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you find top doctors and cancer centers near you.
