U.S. veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for many benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Notable benefits include 100% disability compensation often worth $3,946.25 a month, free or low-cost health care, and survivor benefits. We can help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits now for free.
What Are Mesothelioma VA Benefits?
VA benefits allow veterans with mesothelioma to get compensation and treatments after a diagnosis.
All military branches used asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma, from the 1930s to the early 1980s. As a result, 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients is a U.S. veteran.
VA benefits for mesothelioma include:- Aid and Attendance (A&A)
- Disability compensation
- Health care for veterans
- Housebound benefits
- Pensions
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Funeral benefits
- Health care for dependents
- Survivor pension (also called death pension)
Video Summary: VA-accredited attorney Eric Hall notes the different VA benefits available to veterans and families affected by mesothelioma. View Transcript
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are entitled to several different types of benefits from the VA to include disability benefits, [and] health care benefits. There are even survivor benefits for those with asbestos-related diseases.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of their service in the military are likely to receive a benefit of $3,500 of monthly income tax-free to the veteran.
Veterans with mesothelioma who are exposed while they were in the service are also entitled to private benefits as well, and we encourage veterans to call and find out how we can help them.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has helped thousands of veterans and families get VA benefits and learn about other resources available to them.
File for mesothelioma veterans benefits for free by working with our team, if eligible. We can also help you maximize your benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Types of Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for many types of VA benefits, including monthly compensation and free or inexpensive medical treatments. Below, learn about notable benefits offered to veterans with mesothelioma.
Disability Compensation
Veterans with service-related mesothelioma may qualify for tax-free VA disability compensation. They usually receive a 100% mesothelioma VA disability rating, which ensures they get the highest payouts available.
Married veterans with mesothelioma can receive $3,946.25 each month from disability compensation as of 2024.
We can help you file a mesothelioma VA disability claim or increase your disability rating to 100% if you already have benefits.
VA Health Care
Veterans can use their VA health care benefits to access free or low-cost mesothelioma treatments.
VA health care for mesothelioma is just as good, if not better, than civilian health insurance plans. Some of the world’s top cancer doctors treat veterans with mesothelioma through the VA.
VA Pension
Mesothelioma VA pension claims are paid in monthly installments to disabled veterans with a net worth under under $155,356 as of 2024. A veteran’s income, dependents, and disability rating impact their payout.
Aid and Attendance (A&A)
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an extra compensation paid as part of a pension plan. Veterans can receive A&A if they are bedridden, live in a nursing home, or need a caregiver to help with daily activities.
“Aid and Attendance is worth a few hundred dollars, but an additional few hundred dollars can go a long way.”
— Eric Hall, VA-Accredited Attorney & U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Housebound Benefits
Housebound benefits are additional payouts awarded to veterans who have a VA pension and can’t leave home due to a disability. Veterans can receive either housebound benefits or A&A.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
VA Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is awarded to veterans with severe disabilities, like blindness, deafness, or loss of a limb. It’s paid to veterans who already receive disability compensation.
Get help filing for mesothelioma veterans benefits for free now with our team’s help.
Mesothelioma VA Survivor Benefits
The surviving spouse and children of a veteran who passed away from mesothelioma can also pursue VA benefits. Learn about available VA survivor benefits below.
Mesothelioma VA Burial Benefits
The VA will pay families up to $2,000 in burial expenses if a veteran dies from a service-related condition like mesothelioma. The VA also provides funeral honors and headstones for the veteran’s grave.
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) is tax-free compensation paid to a veteran’s survivors. As of 2024, VA DIC is $1,612.75 per month for spouses, with more available if the spouse has dependents or needs third-party care.
Survivors Pension
A veteran’s dependents may be eligible for a VA Survivors Pension.To qualify, a family’s net worth must be under $155,356 as of 2024. The veteran’s service record (when they served and for how long) also affects eligibility.
VA Health Care For Family Members
There are two main VA health care programs for family members: TRICARE and CHAMPVA.
Families can get TRICARE through a service member or veteran they love and continue their coverage if a veteran passes. If a veteran dies from mesothelioma or is totally disabled and their family doesn’t qualify for TRICARE, they can get a CHAMPVA family health care plan.
We can help you access mesothelioma veterans benefits for free right now if you qualify.
Mesothelioma VA Treatment Options
U.S. veterans can get mesothelioma treatments for free or at a reduced cost thanks to VA health care and disability benefits.
Veterans with a 100% disability like mesothelioma have the lowest health care copays. In addition, some of the world’s best mesothelioma doctors are part of the VA health care network.
VA Mesothelioma Cancer Centers
Several VA health care centers have doctors on staff who treat mesothelioma. Below are the top veterans mesothelioma cancer centers.
VA Boston Healthcare System
West Roxbury, MassachusettsVeterans on the East Coast can receive care from the VA Boston Healthcare System for mesothelioma.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston, TexasBased in Texas, this facility has staff who can treat two of the most common mesothelioma types: pleural and peritoneal.
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
Los Angeles, CaliforniaVeterans living on the West Coast can go to the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center for mesothelioma treatments.
VA Mesothelioma Doctors
VA mesothelioma doctors specifically understand how this cancer impacts veterans and can recommend the best treatments in each case.
Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Cameron leads the West Los Angeles VA mesothelioma treatment team and has nearly 30 years of experience.
Dr. Lorraine Cornwell
Dr. Cornwell spearheads the Michael E. DeBakey VA’s mesothelioma treatment program in Texas.
Dr. Daniel Wiener
Dr. Wiener has more than 20 years of experience and currently treats pleural mesothelioma patients at the Boston VA.
Use our Free Doctor Match to find top mesothelioma specialists who treat veterans with mesothelioma.
How to File for Mesothelioma VA Benefits
Filing for mesothelioma veterans benefits involves several steps, and our VA-accredited attorneys can easily walk you through each one.
1. Determine Eligibility for Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
You can pursue VA benefits for mesothelioma if you:
- Received a mesothelioma diagnosis
- Served on active duty or active duty/inactive duty training
- Were a reservist called to active duty
- Worked with or around asbestos-containing materials while serving
- Were honorably discharged
Call (877) 450-8973 to learn if you may be entitled to mesothelioma VA benefits.
2. Gather Evidence
You’ll need evidence to support your VA mesothelioma claim.
This evidence may include:
- Documents showing how you were exposed to asbestos while you served
- Medical records confirming your mesothelioma diagnosis
- A doctor’s statement linking asbestos exposure to your illness
Our VA-accredited lawyer Eric Hall can help you gather all of the information and evidence you need, making it easier and less stressful. Notably, we can help determine when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos if you don’t remember or are unsure.
3. Get a Medical Exam
The VA may ask veterans to get a medical exam to determine if their illness is service-related before awarding benefits.
However, if you submit enough medical evidence with your mesothelioma VA claim, this requirement may be waived.
By working with our team to build your mesothelioma veterans benefits claim, you may have a stronger chance of avoiding this extra step.
4. File the Mesothelioma VA Benefits Claim
Once you have the needed evidence, our VA-accredited lawyers can help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits for free if eligible.
“When I help a veteran apply for mesothelioma VA benefits, I do that at no cost to them.”
— Eric Hall, VA-Accredited Attorney & U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
The VA recommends working with an accredited attorney or agent to make the process easier, since trying to file on your own can be stressful and confusing.
5. Await a Decision and Receive Benefits
Once the claim has been submitted, the VA will review it and award benefits. This normally takes a few months, but our team can often speed up the process.
For example, we can obtain key information when building your claim and contact your local congressperson to help process the claim faster. With our help, some VA benefits claims have been reviewed in one month or less.
In addition, if you already have VA benefits, we can help you gather information to help maximize them after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
We Can Help You File for Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
Work with the Mesothelioma Veterans Center to file for VA benefits for free and with less stress right now.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you:
- File for mesothelioma VA benefits
- Get 100% VA disability compensation faster
- Increase your VA disability rating if needed
- Pursue legal claims without impacting your VA benefits
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is proud to have assisted thousands of other U.S. veterans in filing for VA benefits and connecting with top doctors. We’re ready to help you or a loved one, too.
Call (877) 450-8973 now to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits.
Mesothelioma VA Benefits FAQs
Is mesothelioma a VA disability?
Yes, mesothelioma is considered a VA disability if it was caused by military asbestos exposure. Our team can help determine if your mesothelioma diagnosis means you can access VA benefits.
Veterans who have other asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer and asbestosis may also receive high disability ratings.
How much is VA disability for asbestos?
Married veterans with mesothelioma typically receive $3,946.25 each month through VA disability compensation.
The VA almost always assigns a 100% disability rating to veterans with mesothelioma that stems from military asbestos exposure. This means eligible veterans can get the highest payouts from VA disability claims.
What cancers qualify for VA disability?
Veterans with many types of cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits, including mesothelioma and lung cancer.
The VA rates any active, service-related cancer as a 100% disability. Veterans can get free or low-cost cancer treatments through VA health care and the highest monthly disability compensation payouts.
Can I claim for mesothelioma?
Possibly. Veterans with service-related mesothelioma can claim VA benefits to receive compensation and health care.
Veterans with mesothelioma can also file lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims to get additional compensation. Mesothelioma lawsuits pay $1 million or more on average, and asbestos trust funds contain an estimated $30 billion.
Legal claims are not filed against the U.S. military or government and do not impact your ability to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits.
Call (877) 450-8973 now to see how we may be able to help you file claims for mesothelioma veterans benefits and legal compensation.
Can I file VA asbestos claims?
You can file claims for VA benefits for asbestos exposure if two conditions are met.
These conditions are:
- You were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military
- You developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result
We can help determine if you may be eligible to file an asbestos VA claim.
Who can file for mesothelioma veterans benefits?
Veterans from any branch of the U.S. armed forces — the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy — can file for mesothelioma VA benefits if they were exposed to asbestos while serving and later developed this cancer.
Veterans must be able to prove that they were exposed to asbestos during their military service and that this exposure led to their diagnosis. We can help pinpoint a veteran’s exposure if they don’t remember or are unsure.
How long do I have to file mesothelioma VA claims?
There are no time limits to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits, but it’s in your best interest to file as soon as possible. Mesothelioma is very aggressive, and VA benefits can allow veterans to afford potentially life-extending treatments.
Call (877) 450-8973 now to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits at no cost.
Disclaimer
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.
