Why Are U.S. Veterans at Risk of Mesothelioma?
Between the 1930s and early 1980s, asbestos products were widely used in military ships, bases, and vehicles. As a result, U.S. veterans have higher rates of mesothelioma than the general public.
Many manufacturers knew the dangers of asbestos but hid the facts. By the time the risks came to light in the early 1980s, millions of service members had already been exposed.
If you or a U.S. veteran you love has mesothelioma, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center may be able to assist you. We are the #1 resource for veterans with mesothelioma.
To date, we’ve helped thousands of veterans, civilians, and families:
- Access benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Find the best mesothelioma doctors and treatments
- Secure mesothelioma compensation worth $1 million+
Get help filing for mesothelioma VA benefits and accessing other resources right now, if eligible.
Types of Veterans Mesothelioma Benefits
If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma, you may qualify for financial and medical benefits from the VA.
Below, explore top mesothelioma VA benefits that could help you and your family.
VA Disability Compensation
As of 2025, mesothelioma veterans often get $4,044.91 or more per month from VA disability compensation. Veterans with mesothelioma typically receive a 100% disability rating, granting them the highest available payouts.
VA Health Care
VA health care allows U.S. veterans with mesothelioma to get treatments at little to no cost. Many top mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers are within the VA health care network.
VA Pension
You may be able to receive a VA pension if you meet certain income limits and other criteria. Most notably, your net worth must be under $159,240 as of 2025. You’ll get a monthly payout based on your specific case.
Special Monthly Compensation
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is extra compensation awarded to some veterans as part of their VA disability benefits. SMC may be provided if a veteran has dependents or can’t care for themselves.
Survivor Benefits
Family members of veterans who passed away from mesothelioma can pursue survivor benefits. They can include monthly compensation, reimbursement for funeral costs, and health care.
How to File for Mesothelioma VA Benefits
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you file for VA benefits for free if you or a veteran you love developed this cancer.
Here are the steps to file for mesothelioma veterans benefits:
- Connect with our team: Call (877) 450-8973 or contact us now to find out your eligibility.
- Gather evidence: We’ll help you collect evidence to show when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos while serving and how this led to your mesothelioma diagnosis.
- File a VA claim: Our team can help you fill out VA benefits claim form 21-526EZ and submit it along with supporting evidence.
- Review: Once your VA benefits claim has been submitted, the VA will review it and award you with benefits if your claim meets their criteria.
If you already receive VA benefits at the time of your mesothelioma diagnosis, we can help you increase your disability rating to 100%. Doing so can lower your health care expenses and provide you and your family with more money each month.
Get help filing for or maximizing your mesothelioma VA benefits now.
Voices of Mesothelioma Veterans
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be stressful, but you’re not alone.
Our voices of mesothelioma veterans series highlights former service members who turned to the Mesothelioma Veterans Center for assistance after a diagnosis. Hear from a few of these veterans below.
Walter Twidwell
- Branch: U.S. Navy
- Service Years: 1954-1973
- Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
Decades after serving aboard U.S. Navy ships, Walt was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the lung lining. With help from our legal partners, he secured a $40.1 million payout for himself and his family.
“Asbestos didn't kill anybody on the spot that's for sure, but years later it started catching up with us.”
— Walter Twidwell, U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma
Art Putt
- Branch: U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force
- Service Years: 1956-1962
- Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
Given only 6 months to 1 year to live after his diagnosis in 2018, Art is still alive today thanks to mesothelioma treatments and changes to his diet. Our team helped Art retrieve compensation to cover his health care and protect his family.
“We gave all that money to our kids, paid all their debts off, and paid our house off. We had no financial worries.”
— Art Putt, U.S. Army and Air Force mesothelioma veteran
Ernie Conry
- Branch: U.S. Army
- Service Years: 1950s
- Diagnosis: Pleural mesothelioma
After his mesothelioma diagnosis, Ernie helped spread awareness about the dangers of asbestos. He bravely battled mesothelioma for 7 years, living longer than expected.
“The thing to do is get up and do something. Don’t let the cancer bog you down.”
— Ernie Conroy, U.S. Army veteran with mesothelioma
Our team helped all of the U.S. veterans above secure financial compensation and justice, and we’re ready to assist you, too. Get a Free Veterans Packet now to see how.
Military Asbestos Use & Veterans Mesothelioma Risks
All branches of the military relied on asbestos before the risks were known, putting veterans in danger of developing mesothelioma later in life.
See how each branch used asbestos below.
U.S. Navy
The Navy used more asbestos than any other branch of the Armed Forces in ships and shipyards. As a result, U.S. Navy veterans are at the highest risk of mesothelioma.
Navy Ships and Shipyards
All Navy ships used asbestos products to keep them fireproof and durable, so those who served aboard them were at high risk of exposure. Veterans were also in danger if they worked in shipyards, where asbestos products were installed or removed from vessels.
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force used asbestos-containing brakes, gaskets, and clutches to prevent planes from catching fire. Many bases that U.S. Air Force veterans served on were also built with asbestos materials.
U.S. Army
U.S. Army veterans may have been exposed to asbestos products like cement, wires, and insulation. Many U.S. Army bases and vehicles contained asbestos, exposing countless service members.
U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard used asbestos to keep its ships and bases fireproof. U.S. Coast Guard veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and other areas of military ships faced long-term exposure.
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marine Corps veterans who served aboard military ships, worked in shipyards, or serviced planes or vehicles may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos.
Secondhand Asbestos Exposure in the Military
A service member’s family members also risked asbestos exposure if they lived in military housing.
Service personnel who worked with or around asbestos may have unknowingly brought home stray fibers on hair, clothing, or equipment, resulting in secondhand exposure.
Contact our team now if you or a loved one served in the military and now have mesothelioma. We can help you pursue VA benefits, treatment options, and compensation if eligible.
High-Risk Military Asbestos Exposure Jobs
While any U.S. veteran could have been exposed to asbestos, specific military jobs came with a higher risk than others.
Military personnel frequently exposed to asbestos included:
- Aircraft and vehicle mechanics
- Boiler operators
- Construction workers
- Enginemen
- Hull technicians
- Insulation workers
- Machinist mates
- Plumbers
- Seabees
- Shipyard workers
For many U.S. veterans, the risk of asbestos exposure didn’t stop after their military careers ended. Veterans often found jobs similar to the ones they held while in the service, adding to their exposure history.
After serving in World War II, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Conrad “Connie” Bauer worked as an industrial electrician and used asbestos-based products for roughly 30 years. He later developed asbestosis, an incurable lung disease, due to his exposure.
Top Mesothelioma Doctors for Veterans
Through the VA health care system, veterans can access free or low-cost treatments from skilled mesothelioma doctors.
VA mesothelioma specialists include:
Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Cameron has decades of experience treating pleural mesothelioma. He leads the cancer treatment team at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
Dr. Eugene Choi
Dr. Choi works at Texas’ Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and helps veterans who have developed peritoneal mesothelioma.
Dr. Lorraine Cornwell
Dr. Cornwell is an experienced surgeon treating veterans with pleural mesothelioma at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
Dr. Daniel Wiener
Dr. Wiener, a thoracic surgeon, leads a team of doctors treating mesothelioma at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
Use our Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match to find the best mesothelioma specialists and cancer centers for you.
More Compensation Options for Mesothelioma Veterans
In addition to financial VA benefits, you may qualify for legal compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.
Our legal partners have secured $9.6 billion for other patients to date.
Compensation options for veterans with mesothelioma include:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: These award $1 million or more on average, and you won’t sue the U.S. military or government.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: You may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit if someone you love passed away from mesothelioma.
- Asbestos trust funds: Over $30 billion is currently in asbestos trust funds, and we can file claims with any and all trusts you qualify for.
When you work with our partner mesothelioma lawyers, the process is made as easy and stress-free as possible. There are no upfront costs or hourly fees, and your attorneys will do all the work in pursuing compensation and justice for you.
“These manufacturers are aware that asbestos created a problem with health, and since they are aware of this problem, I definitely think they should pay to cover the costs of the problem.”
– Ernie Conry, U.S. Army veteran with mesothelioma
Get a Free Case Review to learn if you may qualify for mesothelioma compensation.
Get Help Now From the Mesothelioma Veterans Center
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is the nation’s most trusted resource for U.S. veterans with asbestos-related diseases.
If you or a service member you love is facing mesothelioma, turn to our team of veterans advocates, VA-accredited attorneys, and fellow U.S. veterans.
If eligible, we can help you access:
- VA benefits
- Free or low-cost health care
- Legal compensation
“They will be there by your side the whole way through.”
— Linda, daughter of U.S. veteran with mesothelioma
Call (877) 450-8973 now to connect with our team or get a Free Veterans Packet to learn about all of the ways we may be able to assist you.
Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
Almost all mesothelioma cases are given a 100% disability rating by the VA, allowing veterans to get the most disability compensation possible.
As of 2025, mesothelioma veterans with this rating can receive $4,044.91 a month.
What is the average payout for mesothelioma victims?
Mesothelioma veterans receive over $1 million or more on average by filing for compensation.
U.S. veterans with mesothelioma can get both VA benefits and money from asbestos compensation claims at the same time.
Get a Free Case Review now to find out if you may qualify.
Why do veterans get mesothelioma?
Many U.S. veterans get mesothelioma since they worked with or around asbestos products during their service. The health risks of asbestos were hidden by private manufacturers for decades.
Over 1,000 veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. This cancer takes 10-50 years to form after asbestos exposure, so most don’t get sick until later in life.
Who is eligible for mesothelioma compensation?
U.S. veterans and their loved ones may be able to get compensation if they now have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma, you can receive $4,044.91 or more from VA disability compensation.
You may also be able to access over $1 million on average by filing lawsuits with help from our partner mesothelioma law firm.
Call (877) 450-8973 for help pursuing mesothelioma compensation.
Is mesothelioma a VA disability?
Yes. Mesothelioma is considered a VA disability if a military veteran was exposed to asbestos while they served.
The VA awards both medical and financial VA disability benefits to mesothelioma veterans and their loved ones.
Are there time limits to file a VA mesothelioma claim?
There are no time limits on filing VA mesothelioma claims, but it’s in your best interest to file as quickly as possible.
The sooner you file, the sooner you can start to receive compensation from VA benefits.
Don't wait: We can help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits or maximize them if eligible.
What is the VA disability rating for lung cancer?
The VA typically assigns a 100% disability rating to U.S. veterans suffering from service-related lung cancer. This allows these veterans to get the highest payouts available.
Lung cancer can be caused by asbestos exposure and other toxins that veterans may have encountered while they served.
How do I prove that I was exposed to asbestos?
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center team can help prove you were exposed to asbestos by gathering records related to your military service and work history.
Our legal partners have databases of information to prove when, where, and how you may have been exposed to asbestos on military installations and job sites.
If you’re eligible, they can use this information to pursue mesothelioma VA benefits and compensation on your behalf to protect your family’s future.
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. Visit the UCLA Health website to learn more about Dr. Robert Cameron.
