Veterans and Mesothelioma
- Asbestos exposure is the primary known cause of mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that disproportionately impacts veterans.
- Veterans account for nearly 30 percent of mesothelioma deaths in the U.S., despite making up only 8 percent of the U.S. population.
- Veterans may qualify for VA benefits and compensation through lawsuits or asbestos trust fund claims.
There is a well-documented link between military service and mesothelioma stemming from the widespread use of asbestos in military infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment throughout most of the 20th century. For decades, many service members were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during active duty, placing them at significantly higher risk of developing mesothelioma years after their service ended.
If you are a veteran with mesothelioma, our knowledgeable Minnesota mesothelioma lawyers at Sieben Polk P.A. can help you identify how you were exposed to asbestos and assist you with building your case to pursue financial compensation. Call 651-437-3148 or contact us online today for a free case review.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Asbestos is a toxic mineral composed of microscopic fibers that are odorless, tasteless, and invisible to the naked eye. People may be exposed to asbestos by breathing or ingesting tiny airborne fibers when old asbestos materials or natural deposits are disturbed.
Once these asbestos fibers enter the body, they become lodged in the lungs and other organs and cannot be removed because the body is unable to break them down. When embedded inside the body, asbestos causes scarring, inflammation, and DNA damage over the course of decades, often without any visible symptoms that irreversible damage is occurring.
Prolonged asbestos exposure can lead to serious illnesses such as mesothelioma. This rare, aggressive cancer develops in the mesothelium, the thin protective lining of the body cavities that house internal organs like the lungs and heart.
The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which makes up about 81 percent of cases and is typically associated with symptoms like chest pain, breathing difficulties, and persistent fatigue. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, diseases like mesothelioma are often already in an advanced stage.
Asbestos exposure may also lead to stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and chronic lung diseases such as asbestosis—the long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs that can make breathing difficult.
Those employed in high-risk industries, including the military, construction, manufacturing, mining, milling, automotive repair, and electrical trades, are among the most vulnerable to asbestos exposure. These occupations often involved regular contact with materials containing the substance, placing workers at higher risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.
Asbestos Exposure in the Military and Why Veterans Get Mesothelioma
Veterans who served in the U.S. military face a significantly higher exposure risk than the general public. This is because asbestos was widely used in the U.S. armed forces in the production and maintenance of military vehicles and equipment for most of the 20th century.
This exposure was not limited to combat zones. Many veterans experienced daily exposure during routine duties or ship maintenance, putting them at long-term risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. Veterans make up just 8 percent of the U.S. population but account for nearly 30 percent of the approximately 3,000 mesothelioma deaths each year.
Even today, military personnel may encounter asbestos in older buildings, equipment, and machinery that remain in use. When these structures and items are damaged during combat or training, asbestos fibers can become airborne, posing serious long-term health risks. Additionally, family members of service members may be at risk of secondary exposure if asbestos dust and fibers are carried home on contaminated uniforms or gear.
Top Military Occupations That Were Most At Risk
Among all branches of the U.S. military, individuals who served in the Navy face the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. The Navy heavily relied on asbestos to insulate its vessels against heat, moisture, and corrosion.
Personnel who served below deck in engine and boiler rooms experienced the highest risk due to prolonged exposure in confined, poorly ventilated spaces. Additionally, those who worked in shipyards and dry docks, repairing and maintaining vessels, were routinely exposed to airborne asbestos fibers during maintenance and retrofitting operations.
Veterans involved in construction, demolition, or vehicle maintenance often unknowingly encountered asbestos-laden materials without proper protection or warnings about the potential health hazards. These hazardous materials were found in brakes and friction parts on land vehicles and aircraft and gaskets in vehicle engines and machinery, as well as building components in living quarters on military bases.
Military professions that present the greatest risks of asbestos exposure include:
- Navy: gunner’s mate, electrician’s mate, boatswain’s mate, hull maintenance technician, machinist, fire controlman, welder, pipefitter
- Army: infantry, vehicle and aircraft mechanics, artillery
- Air Force: airplane mechanic
- Marines: mechanic
The danger of asbestos exposure extends beyond the battlefield and military bases. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, about 40,000 members of the Minnesota National Guard were deployed. Many participated in the Ground Zero cleanup, where an estimated 5,000 tons of asbestos was found in the debris, according to the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.
Tragically, the first known mesothelioma death from 9/11 exposure occurred in just under five years, highlighting the severity of that event’s exposure levels.
Asbestos Exposure Is Possible Even After Active Duty
Although asbestos exposure is more likely during active military service, veterans may continue to face risks after they are discharged, depending on their post-service career choices.
Occupations in construction, mechanics, shipbuilding, and other industrial fields have historically involved regular use of asbestos-containing materials such as insulation, brake pads, ceiling tiles, and pipe coverings. Without proper safety and prevention measures in place, these industries can potentially expose workers to the risks of asbestos.
Mesothelioma VA Claims
If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma or another disease due to asbestos exposure during your military service, you may be eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. You can claim these benefits in addition to filing a mesothelioma lawsuit and pursuing trust fund claims.
To qualify for VA benefits, you must meet the following criteria:
- You were not dishonorably discharged from the military.
- You were exposed to asbestos while serving and have a confirmed medical diagnosis of mesothelioma.
- You have a statement from a doctor verifying that your diagnosis is connected to your military service. This is required in order to establish your condition as a service-connected disability.
Once you have established a military service-connected disability, you may be eligible for one or more of the following benefits:
- VA disability compensation: Monthly tax-free payments to veterans with service-connected conditions
- VA pensions: Financial assistance for wartime veterans with limited income
- VA medical care: Access to treatment and care through VA hospitals and providers
The types of benefits available will vary based on your diagnosis, the dates of your military service, and your other income and resources.
Additionally, family members of veterans who died from service-connected mesothelioma may be entitled to VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). This benefit offers financial support to surviving spouses and dependents.
You can apply for VA benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in person, by mail, or online.
Victims of asbestos exposure or their surviving loved ones may also file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against certain responsible parties. While suing the military isn’t an option, it may be possible to file a suit against a third-party company that manufactured the asbestos-containing products.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos in the Military? Sieben Polk P.A. Can Help
With over 50 years of combined experience, our experienced team of mesothelioma lawyers in Minnesota can guide you through the complexities of military asbestos exposure and can help you pursue compensation through:
- Asbestos trust fund claims
- Mesothelioma lawsuit
- VA compensation
Sieben Polk P.A. has recovered more than $840 million for Minnesotans in asbestos-related cases, backed by a proven record of success. We help clients throughout the Upper Midwest, including Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Learn more by exploring our client testimonials and case results. Call 651-437-3148 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
Asbestos & Mesothelioma in the Military and Veteran FAQs
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about asbestos and mesothelioma in the military.
Our mesothelioma attorneys in Minnesota offer free case consultations and do not charge upfront fees for victims of asbestos exposure. Instead, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only charge fees if we win your claim and successfully recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Navy veterans were often the most at risk of asbestos exposure. Out of all the U.S. military branches, the Navy was the biggest user of asbestos between 1938 and the early 1990s, before large-scale abatement procedures were finally initiated.
Asbestos was heavily used throughout ships, shipyards, and particularly in engine and boiler rooms. In these tight spaces, fibers could become highly concentrated in the air, significantly increasing exposure levels for service members working in those areas.
Veterans account for nearly 30 percent of all deaths in America due to mesothelioma each year, which represents an estimated 1,800 deaths annually. Veterans who were regularly exposed to asbestos during their military service face a significantly increased lifetime risk of developing mesothelioma.
Veterans can apply for asbestos-related compensation through:
- VA benefits: You can file for disability compensation, pensions, or medical care at VA.gov, in person at a VA office, or by mail.
- Legal claims: You may also qualify for a lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim with the help of an experienced mesothelioma attorney.
As each case is different and unique, we recommend consulting with an experienced lawyer to determine the most effective path based on your exposure history and diagnosis.
Applying for VA benefits due to asbestos exposure will require:
- A confirmed medical diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness
- Military service records showing your period of service and role
- A statement from your physician confirming that your illness is linked to asbestos exposure during your service