Written By: Camryn Keeble
Veterans and Mesothelioma
Veterans and mesothelioma are connected due to the use of asbestos in the military. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and many veterans were unaware of the health risks associated with asbestos during their military service. Approximately one-third of people with mesothelioma are military veterans.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
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Important Facts About Veterans and Mesothelioma
- Veterans of the U.S. military were often exposed to asbestos during their service. Asbestos is a harmful, cancer-causing substance, which has resulted in tens of thousands of veterans being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
- Pleural mesothelioma (forming in the lungs) is the most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma, while peritoneal mesothelioma (forming in the abdomen) is the second most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma.
- There are two VA hospitals with programs specializing in mesothelioma treatment: West Los Angeles VA Medical Center and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston, Texas).
- Veterans with mesothelioma are often eligible to receive benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), such as Disability Compensation, Pension, Aid & Attendance, Housebound benefits or VA Health Care.
Understanding Veterans and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused only by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral often incorporated into various products and materials to improve durability and heat resistance.
Military service is one of the top occupations linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos was frequently used to build ships, military housing, vehicles, aircraft and much more. Use peaked during World War II and continued through the Cold War era.
How Veterans Were Exposed to Asbestos
Veterans were exposed to asbestos by working with or near asbestos products and materials on ships, in aircraft and in barracks.
Although asbestos is durable when manufactured into certain products, it is fragile and can easily break apart when disturbed. When broken apart, asbestos particles enter the air as a cloud of dust and can be easily breathed in or swallowed by anyone nearby.
If asbestos is inhaled or ingested, it can become lodged in thin linings in the lungs or abdomen. When the fibers become lodged, they can manifest in serious health conditions, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis.
Types of Mesothelioma in Veterans
There are four types of mesothelioma that veterans can have:
- Pleural mesothelioma – Accounts for approximately 75-80% of all mesothelioma cases; forms in the lining of your lungs (pleura); main symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough and fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusions)
- Peritoneal mesothelioma – Accounts for approximately 10-15% of all mesothelioma cases; forms in the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum); main symptoms include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, abdominal distension and fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
- Pericardial mesothelioma – Accounts for approximately 1% of all mesothelioma cases; forms in the lining of your heart (pericardium); main symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain and irregular heartbeat
- Testicular mesothelioma – Accounts for less than 1% of all mesothelioma cases; forms in the lining of the testes; extremely rare occurrence
The most common types are pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Common Mesothelioma Symptoms for Veterans
Common mesothelioma symptoms for veterans include shortness of breath, weight loss, difficulty breathing, a persistent cough, and decreased appetite. Symptoms can vary and are often associated with common illnesses, like a common cold, the flu or pneumonia.
Veterans diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma may experience pleural mesothelioma symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pains
- Fatigue
- Fluid buildup around the lungs
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unexplained weight loss
- Back pain
Veterans diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma often experience peritoneal mesothelioma symptoms, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation or bowel obstruction
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Abdominal swelling
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Mesothelioma Treatment for Veterans
Mesothelioma treatment for veterans includes:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Radiation
These treatment options depend on the type of mesothelioma the patient has been diagnosed with.
Where Do Veterans Receive Treatment for Mesothelioma?
Many veterans receive treatment for mesothelioma at VA hospitals. There are two VA hospitals with mesothelioma specialists on staff:
The VA offers free health insurance with either low copayments or none at all for veterans with mesothelioma. Eligibility is based on several criteria. If the veteran is eligible and enrolls in VA Health Care, they can receive mesothelioma treatment at one of the mesothelioma VA hospitals. If the veteran chooses to undergo treatment with a civilian specialist, they can obtain a referral, and their VA Health Care plan will cover the visit and treatment.
Mesothelioma Surgery for Veterans
There are several mesothelioma surgery options for veterans. These include extrapleural pneumonectomy, pleurectomy with decortication, and cytoreduction with HIPEC. Veterans with mesothelioma should consider surgery as part of an aggressive treatment approach to this rare cancer.
Veterans with peritoneal mesothelioma can undergo cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). The cytoreduction procedure involves surgically removing all visible tumors and diseased tissue in the abdominal cavity. HIPEC is a type of liquid chemotherapy administered directly into the abdomen during the procedure.
Veterans with pleural mesothelioma typically have two surgical options: extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) and pleurectomy with decortication (P/D). EPP is an aggressive surgical option that removes the affected lung, the lining of the lung (pleura), potentially part of the diaphragm and the lining of the heart (pericardium). P/D spares the lung.
Veterans should seek out a mesothelioma specialist to perform mesothelioma surgery. There are many cancer centers across the U.S. with mesothelioma specialists, along with the two VA hospitals with mesothelioma programs: Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (Houston, Texas) and West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy for Veterans
Chemotherapy for mesothelioma is a treatment option for veterans. This treatment approach is often used before, during or after surgery, or when the patient is not a candidate for surgery.
Mesothelioma chemotherapy is FDA-approved. The average survival time for veterans who receive mesothelioma chemotherapy is 12-17 months. Pemetrexed and cisplatin have a median survival of 12 months for pleural mesothelioma and 17 months for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Veterans with mesothelioma can receive chemotherapy treatment through their local hospital or a VA medical center.
Mesothelioma Immunotherapy for Veterans
Immunotherapy for mesothelioma is an option for veterans. There are three FDA-approved immunotherapy drugs for pleural mesothelioma: Opdivo, Yervoy and Keytruda.
In 2020, the FDA approved Opdivo and Yervoy as a combination when surgery is not an option. Keytruda was approved by the FDA in 2024 for unresectable pleural mesothelioma.
Veterans with pleural mesothelioma can access this immunotherapy combination through VA medical centers or other cancer hospitals.
Mesothelioma Palliative Care for Veterans
Palliative care for mesothelioma is a treatment option for veterans. This treatment approach focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life.
Veterans with mesothelioma should always focus on improving their quality of life during their mesothelioma journey. A person’s quality of life can affect many aspects of their life regarding their physical, emotional and psychological well-being.
The primary goals of palliative care include:
- Symptom management – Palliative care focuses on controlling pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue to help improve quality of life.
- Emotional and psychological support – Mesothelioma can be mentally and emotionally challenging for patients and their families. Counseling and support groups can provide coping strategies to help overcome some of the anxiety, depression and grief mesothelioma patients face.
- Communication and decision-making — Educating patients and communicating openly with physicians can help them better understand mesothelioma, the available treatment options, and how to make informed decisions about their care.
- Support for caregivers – Caregivers play a significant role in caring for mesothelioma patients. Providing support and beneficial resources can help caregivers cope with the challenges they face and improve the quality of life for both the patient and family.
- Spiritual support – Chaplains and counselors are often available to provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and families per their beliefs and values.
- Advance care planning – Social workers encourage patients to actively participate in discussions and decisions regarding their advanced care plan. This includes developing living wills and other guidelines to ensure the patient’s treatment preferences are respected and followed.
Life Expectancy for Veterans With Mesothelioma
The life expectancy for veterans with mesothelioma depends on the type of mesothelioma, what stage of the cancer, the treatment options, and the veteran’s health.
The average life expectancy for veterans with mesothelioma is usually 1-2 years. It improves with treatment such as surgery:
- The average life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma is 8-19 months. If the patient receives surgery, their prognosis can improve to more than two years.
- The average life expectancy for peritoneal mesothelioma is approximately one year. If the patient undergoes surgery or receives other treatments, their prognosis can improve to 3-5 years.
Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
Benefits for veterans with mesothelioma include financial help from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), free health care, treatment at a VA medical center, and more.
VA benefits for veterans with mesothelioma include:
- VA Disability Compensation – If at least 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure occurred in the military compared to the veteran’s civilian career
- VA Pension – If more than 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure occurred in the veteran’s civilian career; wartime veterans under the maximum income level for their household size can qualify for Pension
- Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits – If the veteran requires the assistance of another person to perform at least two activities of daily living; the veteran may also receive additional compensation if a spouse requires A&A
- VA Health Care – If the veteran meets the criteria of one of the eight health care priority groups
There are also VA benefits for family members (spouses and dependent children) of veterans with mesothelioma who passed away. These benefits for family members include monthly financial assistance, burial reimbursements and health insurance.
To apply for VA benefits, connect with our VA-accredited claims agent, retired LCDR Carl Jewett. He specializes in assisting veterans with asbestos-related VA claims and has been assisting veterans for over 15 years. To contact Carl and begin your VA claims process, email him at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com.
Legal Rights for Veterans With Mesothelioma
Veterans with mesothelioma have legal rights because the companies responsible for manufacturing and distributing asbestos products did not disclose the health risks. The military was largely unaware of the dangers these products posed to servicemen and women, so there were no proper safety measures in place.
Legal rights for veterans with mesothelioma include asbestos compensation from responsible manufacturing companies. Compensation can come from mesothelioma lawsuits against these companies or claims with asbestos trust funds, which are bank accounts established by bankrupt asbestos companies.
Note: Veterans who pursue legal action for their asbestos exposure and mesothelioma will never file lawsuits or any type of legal claim against the military. The only asbestos claims filed with the military are for mesothelioma and asbestos-related VA benefits. The military is not legally liable for asbestos exposure or mesothelioma. The negligent asbestos corporations are the liable parties in these cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans With Mesothelioma
Why Are Veterans Diagnosed With Mesothelioma?
Veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma due to the use of asbestos in the military. Veterans make up nearly a third of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Asbestos was a go-to material for shipbuilding during several war eras and peaked during World War II. The military incorporated asbestos-containing materials into ships, aircraft, military housing, vehicles and much more.
What Mesothelioma Treatments Are Available to Veterans?
Mesothelioma treatments available to veterans with this cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy. Veterans with mesothelioma usually have access to the same treatment options as civilians with mesothelioma. Many veterans opt to receive treatment for mesothelioma at a VA hospital or VA-affiliated medical clinic since many veterans with mesothelioma are eligible for free or low-cost medical care through their free VA Health Care insurance plan.
As a Veteran With Mesothelioma, What VA Compensation Programs Am I Eligible for?
Veterans with mesothelioma are eligible for several VA compensation programs, including financial assistance, health care, and more. Mesothelioma veterans benefits include VA compensation such as Disability Compensation or Pension, which provide monthly payments to help offset the burdens of mesothelioma. Contact mesothelioma veterans benefits expert Carl Jewett at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com to see which you’re eligible to receive.
Do Veterans With Mesothelioma Have Legal Rights?
Yes, veterans with mesothelioma have legal rights to compensation from corporations responsible for manufacturing and distributing asbestos to the military. Veterans with mesothelioma can receive compensation from asbestos lawsuits or asbestos trust funds. For more information about mesothelioma compensation, contact our patient advocates to get connected with legal experts.
Sources & Author
- About VA Health Benefits. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/. Accessed: 09/23/2024.
- Veterans Asbestos Exposure. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/asbestos/. Accessed: 09/24/2024.
- Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/resources_comp01.asp. Accessed: 08/16/2024.
- VA disability compensation. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/. Accessed: 10/15/2024.
- Eligibility for Veterans Pension. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/. Accessed: 08/16/2024.
- VA Pension Rates for Veterans. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/. Accessed: 08/16/2024.
