Mesothelioma VA Benefits

U.S. military veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This includes disability payments of nearly $4,000 per month at a 100% rating, free medical care from top specialists, and pensions. See if an experienced VA-accredited lawyer may be able to file a claim for mesothelioma veterans benefits on your behalf.

Get a Free Case Review

Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the asbestos companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran and boiler tender in Washington
$2.4 million to the family of a U.S. Army veteran from California
$2.9 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in South Carolina

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Oct 16, 2024

Understanding Mesothelioma VA Benefits

Mesothelioma VA benefits allow veterans with this cancer to access world-class health care from leading mesothelioma specialists, substantial compensation, and more after a diagnosis. Family members may also qualify for benefits if a loved one has passed away.

Asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma, was used across all branches of the U.S. military. Today, about 33% of all mesothelioma cases involve these brave service members.

As a result, the VA provides mesothelioma veterans benefits to those who served in the:

The VA has assigned a 100% disability rating to mesothelioma, allowing veterans to receive the highest payouts possible. This amounts to nearly $4,000 in tax-free payments each month.

LawFirm.com works with VA-accredited attorneys who have secured over $9.6 billion for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.

Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to help you secure mesothelioma VA benefits and compensation from legal claims.

Who Qualifies for Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits?

Veterans who were exposed to asbestos in the military, as well as their family members, may be eligible for mesothelioma VA benefits.

This includes anyone who was:

Diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease
Honorably discharged from the U.S. military

If your loved one has passed away, you may still qualify for mesothelioma VA benefits and compensation from other sources, including legal claims.

Even if you don’t know how you or your family member was exposed, our legal partners have the resources needed to figure it out.

The asbestos lawyers in our network can collect all of the information required to apply for mesothelioma VA benefits, maximize your benefits after a diagnosis, or appeal a denial on your behalf.

Call (866) 447-8466 right now or chat with a case manager to see which mesothelioma VA claims you may qualify for.

Types of VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

There are different types of mesothelioma VA benefits that are meant to support veterans with this cancer and their families during this difficult time. Our legal partners can handle all of the paperwork, so there’s no added stress on you or your family members.

Disability Compensation

Due to the serious nature of the disease, the VA assigns a 100% disability rating to mesothelioma, so veterans with this cancer get the highest payments possible.

Veterans with mesothelioma typically qualify for a monthly benefit of almost $4,000 in tax-free compensation. Additional compensation is available for married veterans and those who have dependents.

VA Health Care

Veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases can receive free or low-cost health care through the VA health care system. Some of the world’s best mesothelioma doctors work at VA hospitals due to the large percentage of veterans affected by this cancer.

Mesothelioma treatments can cost over $400,000, so this mesothelioma VA benefit allows veterans to get the medical care they need and deserve without any financial burden.

Mesothelioma VA Pension Claims

Mesothelioma VA pension claims are paid monthly to wartime veterans with limited financial resources.

Pension amounts vary based on factors like your:

Assets
Income
Marital status
Number of dependents

A veteran with at least one dependent or spouse may qualify for over $32,000 a year in VA pension benefits in 2024.

Aid & Attendance (A&A)

A veteran sits in a wheelchair

Aid & Attendance is extra money added to a VA pension plan for veterans who need help with everyday tasks, including bathing, eating, and dressing.

Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify if they:

Are bedridden
In a nursing home
Unable to take care of themselves

You only need to satisfy one of the above requirements to qualify for A&A benefits.

Housebound Benefits

Housebound benefits are awarded to veterans who are generally unable to leave their homes due to their illness. Housebound mesothelioma benefits are added to a veteran’s VA pension.

Veterans can’t receive both Aid & Attendance benefits and Housebound mesothelioma VA benefits at the same time.

Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)

Veterans with mesothelioma who face significant limitations due to their illness may be eligible for VA Special Monthly Compensation, which provides extra support for those needing additional care.

SMC is tax-free and available to veterans, their surviving spouses, and their parents. This benefit can help veterans with mesothelioma who are no longer fully independent.

Get Help Filing for VA Benefits

The VA-accredited lawyers in our network can help veterans file for mesothelioma VA benefits or maximize the amount they already receive. Get started now with a free case review.

Mesothelioma VA Benefits for Family Members

Family members may also be eligible for certain mesothelioma veterans benefits to help cover costs if their loved one has passed away.

Notable mesothelioma VA benefits for families include:

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC): A spouse, children, or parents of a veteran who has passed away from mesothelioma cancer may qualify for tax-free monthly DIC payments. DIC can be worth several thousand dollars, depending on the number of dependents.
Health care: Spouses and dependent children may be able to access insurance through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) or TRICARE. Family caregivers may also qualify for health care benefits.
Mesothelioma VA burial benefits: Families of personnel who died from service-related conditions like mesothelioma can access up to $2,000 for burial and funeral costs. The VA also provides military funeral honors and headstones for veterans’ graves.
Survivors pension: These monthly payments are made to qualifying surviving spouses and unmarried dependent children of wartime veterans who have passed away.

Family members of a veteran lost to mesothelioma may also be able to access compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. These lawsuits are a way to hold asbestos companies accountable for the harm they’ve caused and honor your loved one’s memory.

Other Compensation Options for Mesothelioma Veterans

In addition to mesothelioma VA benefits, veterans with asbestos-related diseases and their loved ones may also be eligible for compensation from legal claims.

For most of the 20th century, companies relied on asbestos to make thousands of products that could be found on military installations and worksites across the country. Many of these companies knew about the hazards of asbestos, which is why they can be sued today.

You may be entitled to compensation from:

Asbestos trust funds: There’s an estimated $30 billion in trust funds established by asbestos companies that declared bankruptcy to avoid lawsuits. Many victims qualify for payments from multiple trusts and can access money from the comfort of their homes.
Mesothelioma lawsuits: These claims, which award over $1 million on average, are filed against the companies that made and sold the asbestos products that caused you to become sick.

Filing a lawsuit doesn’t impact your ability to collect mesothelioma veterans benefits, and neither the government nor any branch of the military is sued.

“It was the only time in my life that I considered retaining a lawyer and suing somebody. These manufacturers were aware that asbestos created health problems.”

– Ernie Conry, U.S. Army veteran & mesothelioma warrior

Mesothelioma lawsuits almost always end in settlements, and victims are often able to access compensation in 90 days or less — without going to court.

A mesothelioma lawyer can determine which sources of compensation you qualify for and file claims with each one to maximize the amount of money you may receive. They can handle the entire legal process, so you can focus on your health.

The mesothelioma attorneys we work with never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action. See if one of our legal partners can fight for the compensation you deserve by getting a free case review.

Steps to File Mesothelioma VA Claims

LawFirm.com understands the stress related to a mesothelioma diagnosis. We’ve partnered with asbestos attorneys who can handle each step of the claims process for mesothelioma VA benefits on your behalf.

With your legal team handling all the paperwork, you can focus on treatment and spending time with loved ones.

The basic process of filing a mesothelioma VA claim involves:

Reaching out to a VA-accredited lawyer: Find out which mesothelioma VA benefits you may be entitled to during a free, no-obligation case review.
Gathering evidence: Your team will collect information about your diagnosis, military service, and the asbestos products you may have come in contact with to pursue the highest monthly payments possible.
Filing a VA asbestos exposure claim: Your mesothelioma veterans benefits claim will be filed with the VA, and the agency will conduct a review. In the event that your claim is denied, your lawyer can file an appeal.
Collecting compensation: Upon approval of your asbestos VA claim, you’ll receive a letter explaining your mesothelioma VA benefits and when they become effective.

If you may be entitled to additional mesothelioma compensation from asbestos trust funds or lawsuits, your team can file those claims and keep you updated on their progress.

Laws called statutes of limitations limit the amount of time you have to take legal action, so it’s important to act quickly.

“We tell our veterans that you should always file the mesothelioma lawsuit because it is a place where you’re going to get full compensation, or at least the closest compensation and justice we can get you. But if you have the option of filing a VA claim, you certainly should look into that as well.”

– Ricky A. LeBlanc, attorney at Sokolove Law and LawFirm.com legal expert

Get Help Accessing VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

Veterans with mesothelioma and their families may be eligible for mesothelioma VA benefits and other resources that can help make life a little easier.

We’ve partnered with mesothelioma law firms that specialize in advocating for veterans and have secured over $9.6 billion on behalf of patients and families nationwide.

Our trusted legal partners:

Can help military families in all 50 states
Have VA-accredited attorneys on staff
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

“You must go to a reputable law firm. If your loved one is a veteran, make sure the law firm has a lawyer who specializes in dealing with veterans’ cases.”

– Karen, daughter of U.S. Army veteran & mesothelioma warrior Gene

Call (866) 447-8466 right now or get a free case review to see if a top mesothelioma lawyer can fight for the benefits and justice you deserve.

VA Benefits for Asbestos Exposure FAQs

What is the VA disability rating for mesothelioma?

The VA disability rating for mesothelioma is 100% due to the seriousness of this disease. Eligible veterans may qualify for tax-free payments of nearly $4,000 per month, free health care, and more.

A lawyer can file for mesothelioma VA benefits on your behalf or increase the amount you already receive after a diagnosis.

Call (866) 447-8466 now to get started with a VA disability claim.

Is there VA compensation for asbestos exposure?

Yes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation to veterans with illnesses connected to military asbestos exposure. These asbestos-related illnesses include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

According to the VA, asbestos exposure is presumptive for those with related diseases. This means that the agency assumes that the health condition is service-connected instead of requiring the veteran to prove it.

While the VA disability rating for asbestos exposure varies based on the illness, those with mesothelioma and lung cancer are entitled to a rating of 100%.

What is the average mesothelioma claim?

The average mesothelioma lawsuit claim awards over $1 million. Veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for additional financial compensation from mesothelioma VA benefit claims.

An asbestos lawyer can file all the mesothelioma claims you qualify for to maximize your potential payout.

Get a free case review now to take the first step toward the money you deserve.