How to Prove Military Asbestos Exposure for a VA Claim

Proving Military Asbestos Exposure

Documentation of asbestos exposure must be provided when filing a Department of Veterans Affairs claim related to service-connected asbestos exposure. At least half of a veterans’ asbestos exposure must have occurred during their time in service.

The VA considers such asbestos-related cancers including mesothelioma to be 100% disabling. If a diagnosis is service-connected, the veteran is entitled to disability compensation. If a veteran dies of a service-connected illness, certain members of their family may be eligible for dependency indemnity compensation (DIC).

Filing an asbestos claim and meeting VA disability qualifications is a complex process. First a doctor must write a medical nexus letter confirming the veteran’s illness was caused by asbestos. Then the veteran or surviving family member must also write an asbestos exposure summary.

This summary letter must explain how the veteran’s asbestos exposure was primarily caused by their military service. If you provide proof of asbestos exposure while in the military, you can get benefits to compensate your family for an illness.

Asbestos-related diseases are different from most service-connected disabilities. Because of their long latency period, these diseases usually do not develop until after retirement. In most cases, this means the symptoms and diagnosis were never documented while the veteran was on active duty.

Veterans must prove to the VA that they suffered more exposure to asbestos in the military than they did before or after their service. A well-written exposure summary is crucial to proving military asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure Summaries for VA Claims

An asbestos exposure summary provides information about where, when and how a veteran was exposed to asbestos. It should describe specific asbestos-containing equipment or materials they worked with and include information about their assigned duties.

It’s known that veterans are a high-risk group for asbestos-related diseases. But simply presenting military service records to the VA is not enough. The claim must make the case that military service is at least as likely to have caused the diagnosis as a civilian job. The written exposure history must demonstrate that 50% of asbestos exposure occurred in the military. 

It’s best to very clearly explain asbestos products and the risk of exposure related to those products and specific military job duties. This is especially important for veterans who didn’t have duties typically thought to have a high exposure risk, but that put them in contact with asbestos dust.

Working with a VA-accredited claims agent can make the process easier. A claims agent familiar with asbestos-related diseases can help identify where service-related asbestos exposure occurred. They can also prepare an appeal in the event the VA requires more evidence or documentation.