Mesothelioma Asbestos Help

The History of U.S. Military Veterans and Mesothelioma

Currently, there are twenty-five (25) million people existing who have served in the military at one point in their lives, as is stated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It is also estimated that among these 25 million military veterans, possibly millions of these remaining veterans were exposed to deadly asbestos substances. Asbestos was commonly used in every branch of the armed forces, due to its’ fireproof ability and its’ capability to resist heat. Asbestos was held in such high importance that it was permitted for common use until it was later slowly replaced and use of the use of asbestos materials were finally completely brought to an end in the 1970’s.An astounding 300 or more products contained asbestos-related materials, mostly found in insulation, were applied and used, mainly by the U.S. Navy beginning in the 1930’s until the 1970’s.

These asbestos-related products were widely used in boiler rooms and engine rooms, along with other ‘below-deck’ areas, for fireproofing reasons. Although all navy personnel who worked on-board navel ships between the 30’s -70’s are at risk for asbestos-related cancers, mesothelioma, those veterans whose jobs required them to be below-deck, such as those who worked in the boiler or engine rooms, and even in the sleeping quarters, were more profoundly exposed to asbestos and are at a much higher risk for mesothelioma.

A much more profoundly telling statistic shows that of those surviving American veterans who are now suffering from mesothelioma, those who were exposed to asbestos or asbestos-related materials during their active military service exceeded 30% of the military population.

Asbestos-Related Illness and American Veterans

Those veterans who are currently living with illnesses that is asbestos-related (illnesses created specifically by exposure to asbestos or other materials containing asbestos fibers); These ill and suffering veterans find themselves in a complex complicated situation with little to no compensation provided by the U.S.  Government. While it is forbidden for the veteran to attempt to obtain any form of compensation (i.e. lawsuit) against the U.S. government through the current judicial system. Veterans who are experiencing asbestos-related illnesses must apply at the VA office for veteran benefits. The process will begin with submitting n application at a Veterans affairs office, from the time of application it could be a long and hard battle to receive medical benefits or any type of disability compensation. Furthermore, the patients claim may be immediately denied because it is the responsibility of the patient to prove that their illness is, indeed, due to their exposure to asbestos during their military service. If the veteran is unable to prove their exposure to asbestos resulted from their time in service, they must seek compensation through the asbestos manufacturers. The VA accepts mesothelioma as a service related illness but the VA may deny their claim for medical disability, unless the veteran can prove that their mesothelioma was probably not a result of their time in service.