Veterans Administration Disability Claims

If you served your country and later developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to monthly disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

These illnesses often take 20 to 50 years to appear—long after your service ended—but if your exposure to asbestos happened during your time in uniform, the VA may owe you benefits. We’re here to guide you through the process and ensure you get everything you’re entitled to.

Many Navy veterans and shipyard workers were exposed without knowing it—and still qualify, even if their exposure happened decades ago.

VA Benefits Provide Monthly Support to Veterans with Asbestos-Related Diseases

If your claim is approved, VA benefits may include:

• Monthly tax-free disability payments, based on severity of illness and level of disability

  • The minimum monthly benefit for mesothelioma and lung cancer is $3,831.30

• Healthcare through the VA, including cancer treatment, palliative care, and in-home assistance

• Survivor benefits for spouses and dependents, including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

  • The minimum monthly benefit is $1,653.07 and can increase depending on circumstances

Diseases Recognized by the VA for Asbestos Exposure

The VA recognizes a number of asbestos-related diseases as potentially service-connected. That means if you were exposed during your time in the military and later developed one of these illnesses, you may be entitled to monthly disability compensation.

These illnesses don’t always appear right away. In fact, most asbestos diseases take 20 to 50 years to develop—which is why so many veterans are being diagnosed today, decades after their service.

📊 A Navy study found that veterans aged 60–69 were nearly 30 times more likely to have abnormal chest X-rays compared to younger service members​.

VA-Accepted Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Mesothelioma: A rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by asbestos and is one of the most strongly recognized illnesses by the VA.

Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is frequently linked to asbestos exposure—especially in veterans who smoked. Even those who quit long ago may still be at risk if they were exposed during service.

Throat Cancer: Includes cancers of the voice box, tonsils, or upper respiratory tract. The VA recognizes these when there’s a link to asbestos exposure through inhalation.

Stomach Cancer: Can develop when asbestos fibers are swallowed after inhalation. Common among veterans who worked in dusty environments or did manual maintenance work.

Colon and Colorectal Cancer: Asbestos fibers may contribute to colorectal cancers—especially in those who ingested fibers over long periods while working around airborne dust.

Learn more about these illnesses on our Asbestos-Related Diseases page »

How We Prove a Disease Was Connected to a Veteran's Service

VA Disability benefits are only available to if the disability is service-related, and the burden to prove that is on the veteran. You may have heard about "presumptive" diseases in connection with VA benefits. The VA maintains a list of diseases that it presumes are service-related. For example, any veteran who served in Vietnam between 1/1/1962 and 5/7/1975 is automatically eligible for disability benefits if he develops multiple myeloma - that's a disease that can be caused by Agent Orange exposure so the VA presumes it was related to the veteran's time in Vietnam.

But asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer are not presumptive conditions. That means a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma will have to prove that he or she was exposed to asbestos while serving in the armed forces. Although the VA does not recognize asbestos-related diseases as being presumptively service-related, it does recognize that certain occupations were exposed regularly to asbestos during their service. For example, the VA considers it "Highly Probable" that a boilermaker was exposed regularly to asbestos in service. Those veterans who have a "highly probable" rating will have their claims approved more quickly than those who do not.

How We Prove Asbestos Exposure Occurred During Your Service

You don’t have to know every product you worked with or every ship you served on. That’s our job. Our firm has built one of the most comprehensive private databases of military asbestos use, including:

• Historical duty station records

• MOS-based exposure risk ratings (used by the VA)

• Asbestos product use across Navy ships, bases, vehicles, and aircraft

• Expert affidavits, technical manuals, and procurement logs

We know which military jobs were “Highly Probable” for exposure—and we also know how to prove exposure for roles that are officially listed as “Minimal” but were still dangerous in the real world.

Whether you worked in a boiler room, loaded aircraft on a carrier, or repaired vehicles at a forward base—we know where asbestos was hiding, and how to build a case that shows the VA exactly when and where you were exposed.

See how your MOS ranks for asbestos exposure »

How the U.S. Military Used Asbestos

From World War I through the Cold War, asbestos was extensively used across the U.S. Armed Forces for its heat resistance, durability, and fireproofing properties. It was integral to insulating ships, protecting engine rooms, constructing barracks, and fireproofing vehicles and aircraft. The Navy, in particular, relied heavily on asbestos, with ships and submarines being almost entirely "asbestosized" as Asbestos Magazine described it.

Key Areas of Asbestos Exposure:

1. Navy Ships and Submarines
Asbestos was prevalent in:

• Boilers, engine rooms, steam pipes, valves, gaskets, bulkheads, and even sleeping quarters.

• Sailors, machinists, and boiler technicians experienced some of the highest asbestos exposure levels in military history.

2. Military Bases and Barracks
Asbestos was used in:

• Insulation, ceiling tiles, cement, drywall, adhesives, and floor coverings in various buildings.

3. Vehicles and Aircraft
Asbestos-containing components included:

• Brake pads, clutches, heat shields, and fireproof linings in tanks, jeeps, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft.

4. Protective Gear
Asbestos was incorporated into:

• Firefighting suits, gloves, hoods, and insulation blankets used by flight deck personnel, aircraft carrier crews, and fire teams.

Despite mounting evidence of its health risks, the military continued using asbestos into the 1980s. By that time, millions of service members had already been exposed—many unknowingly. Today, veterans account for a significant portion of mesothelioma diagnoses in the U.S.

VA Disability Payment Amounts to Veterans

VA disability payments are based upon a disability rating, which is measure in percent and reflects how disabled you are. In the case of mesothelioma or active lung cancer, the disability rating is 100%. Below are the current monthly payment amounts based on dependent status:

➕ Additional Payments (If Applicable):

• Each additional child under 18: +$106.14

• Each child over 18 in qualifying school: +$342.85

• Spouse receiving Aid & Attendance: +$195.92

What Is Aid & Attendance?

If your spouse is disabled, blind, or needs help with daily living activities (like bathing, dressing, or managing medications), you may qualify for Aid & Attendance benefits. This adds an extra monthly payment to your VA compensation and helps support spouses who are caregivers—or who need caregiving themselves.

VA DIC Benefits for Families After a Veteran’s Death

If your spouse passed away from mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness linked to their military service, you may be entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

DIC is a monthly, tax-free benefit paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs to surviving spouses, dependent children, or—in some cases—dependent parents of veterans who died from a service-connected condition.

What Is DIC?

DIC is designed to replace some of the income lost when a veteran dies from an illness connected to their military service. It provides ongoing monthly support to help surviving family members stay financially stable.

Unlike some other programs, DIC is not based on your income, age, or retirement status. It’s based on the veteran’s service and cause of death.

Who Qualifies for DIC?

You may be eligible for DIC as a surviving spouse if:

• You were married to the veteran before or at the time of death

• The veteran died from a service-connected disability, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure

• You lived with the veteran continuously until their death (with some exceptions for separation)

• You didn’t remarry before age 57 (or before age 55, in some circumstances)

We help spouses gather medical and military records to prove the connection between the illness and service—especially important in asbestos cases, which the VA does not consider presumptive.

How Much Is the DIC Benefit?

As of 2024, the base DIC monthly payment is:

• $1,612.75/month for a surviving spouse

• Additional amounts may apply if:

  • You have dependent children

  • You require Aid and Attendance due to your own health conditions

  • The veteran was rated 100% disabled for at least 8 years before death

See the full DIC rate chart at VA.gov »

Why You Shouldn’t Try This Alone

Many surviving spouses are told their claim isn’t strong enough, or that their loved one’s death wasn’t service-connected—even when it clearly was. We help by:

• Collecting and organizing evidence

• Reconstructing asbestos exposure during service

• Getting medical opinions to support your case

• Filing the DIC claim (or appealing a denial)

Call 833-4-ASBESTOS or contact us online to speak with our team about DIC benefits for asbestos-related deaths.

Can I Get VA Benefits and Still File a Lawsuit or Trust Claim?

Yes—you can.

Many veterans (and their families) mistakenly believe that once you file for VA benefits, you can’t pursue other forms of compensation. That’s simply not true.

In fact, most of our clients who receive VA benefits file additional claims—including:

• Asbestos trust fund claims

• Product liability or wrongful death lawsuits

• Workers’ compensation or Jones Act claims

VA disability benefits are paid by the federal government. Lawsuits and trust claims target the companies that made the asbestos products—not the government or military.

You can often pursue all of these at the same time—and we handle the coordination so nothing gets missed. Learn more about the legal options available to veterans.

A Hypothetical Case: Combining VA Benefits, Trust Claims, and a Lawsuit

Jim, a Navy veteran, served in the engine rooms of several ships during the 1960s. He regularly worked near asbestos-insulated turbines, pipes, and gaskets. Decades later, Jim was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.

While Jim Was Alive:

• He applied for VA disability benefits and was approved. The monthly payments helped cover treatment and living expenses.

  • In 2025, Jim & Sarah would receive $4,044.91 per month since mesothelioma carries a 100% VA disability rating. They would be eligible for additional income if they had any children either under 18 or over 18 but in school.

After Jim Passed Away:

• His wife Sarah filed for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)—a monthly VA benefit for surviving spouses.

  • She receives $1,612.75 per month, but would be eligible for additional funds if she had any dependent children.

• The family filed asbestos trust claims against the bankrupt manufacturers of the materials Jim had worked with.

• They also pursued a wrongful death lawsuit against the companies that sold those asbestos products, seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost support, and emotional harm.

The Outcome:
By combining VA benefits, trust fund claims, and a wrongful death suit, Jim’s family received financial security, justice, and accountability—all without jeopardizing their government benefits.

📞 Call 833-4-ASBESTOS to learn what compensation your family may be entitled to—or schedule your free consultation online.

How We Help Veterans and Families File VA Claims

Filing a VA claim for an asbestos-related illness isn’t easy. The paperwork is complex. The burden of proof is high. And too many veterans are unfairly denied the benefits they deserve.

That’s where we come in.

With decades of experience in asbestos-related cases, our team understands both military service and VA systems. We take care of the hard part—so you can focus on your health, your family, and your future.

Here’s how we help:

• Gathering evidence to prove exposure and diagnosis

• Partnering with medical experts to support your claim

• Handling appeals if you’ve been denied in the past

• Pursuing all legal options, including asbestos trust claims and lawsuits, to maximize compensation

Get the Benefits You’ve Earned

If you or your loved one were exposed to asbestos during military service and developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, we’re here to help you get everything you’re owed.

📞 Call 833-4-ASBESTOS or schedule your free consultation online.

We’ll guide you through every step—from filing your first claim to pursuing every available path to justice.

You served your country.
Now we would be honored to serve you.

References

Dell, Danielle M et al. “Navy Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program 1990-1999: demographic features and trends in abnormal radiographic findings.” Military medicine vol. 171,8 (2006): 717-22. doi:10.7205/milmed.171.8.717