Mesothelioma & Army Veterans

While many people were exposed to asbestos during the years when it was in widespread use, it is doubtful that any one group was hit harder than servicemen. Asbestos was widely used in many materials, and for those that served in the military, it was likely that they experienced asbestos exposure day and night. Unlike those who were exposed to asbestos in the industrial setting, who worked around the materials and then headed home each day, military personnel worked, slept and ate in areas with asbestos containing materials.

How Members of the Army Were Exposed to Asbestos

Prior to the late 1970s, all branches of the military used asbestos containing materials throughout their barracks. Asbestos was a popular material for a variety of reasons. As a naturally occurring mineral it was readily available, and inexpensive. It has unique properties that make it both fireproof and heat resistant. These attributes made it an excellent choice for insulation. For decades the buildings that were constructed and the areas that soldiers lived and worked in were filled with asbestos fibers. Any soldier that served in the United States Army from the early 1940s through the late 1970s may have been exposed to asbestos at some point in their military career.

One branch of the military that suffered from higher levels of asbestos exposure than any others was the Navy. Asbestos was used extensively throughout Navy vessels. Because these large ships provided base and transportation for more than their own men, however, any branch of the military may have suffered from asbestos exposure because of these ships. The marines often used Navy aircraft carriers as a base from which to fly their planes, and the "Magic Carpet" operation at the end of World War II, which was a plan to return all members of the military home as quickly as possible, relied heavily on Navy ships as a part of their transportation system.

Dangers of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure can lead to one of two health problems, both extremely serious. Asbestosis is a chronic inflammation of the lungs that eventually leads to respiratory failure. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of asbestos cancer that is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Both of these disease are caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos exposure is insidious, and often occurs without the knowledge of those who are effected. It is only decades later when the veteran develops an asbestos-related illness that they realize that they may have been exposed while serving their country. The threat of asbestos exposure is a very real problem for army veterans. It is estimated that 30 percent of those who suffer from mesothelioma developed the disease after exposure to asbestos in the military.

Doctors are not able to pinpoint the amount of asbestos exposure that can lead to the development of health problems. While some studies seem to indicate that longer periods of exposure or heavy exposure increase the risk of asbestosis or mesothelioma, other studies have shown that even short term exposure can cause significant health problems. In short, no one is sure how much exposure is too much. What is known is that Army veterans are a group that was at high risk of exposure.

Filing a Claim and the VA

Military veterans in all branches, including the army, cannot file a claim against the military division they served with, as the government is not held responsible for the asbestos-contaminated materials that were manufactured by various companies. It is these various asbestos manufacturers, who supplied the contaminated materials to the government, that are held responsible for the injuries incurred by veterans. Many workers in the private sector have been able to recover money to help cover health care costs and perhaps some for compensation, and veterans have this same option. An Army veteran can also appeal for coverage or benefits through the Veterans Administration.

Part of the problem that army veterans face when attempting to collect veterans benefits is the burden of proof that is placed on these servicemen. To show that they suffered from asbestos exposure during their time in the military, they must effectively prove that they were not exposed to asbestos at any other time. Consulting with an experienced attorney that has handled asbestos claims for other members of the military can provide you with the guidance that you need before attempting to secure veterans benefits.

Asbestos.com offers free assistance with filing a VA claim and can make the process much easier. Our Veterans Assistance Department offers extensive experience in filing VA claims and can help any veteran coping with mesothelioma receive benefits from the VA system. For more information or free assistance regarding VA benefits, programs and eligibility, please call 800-615-2270 or contact our Veterans Assistance Department by filling out this form.