Mesothelioma is one of the forms of cancer that is caused due to asbestos exposure. It is a fibrous silicate mineral found in different construction materials and used in military branches. When asbestos starts to spread in the air, it becomes really dangerous for the individuals present in that surroundings. Once you inhale the toxic particles of the asbestos, it starts to affect the lining of the lungs. That is where a tumor begins to develop in your body.
Around 30% of veterans get diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the military. Veterans who have served in different US military branches from 1930 to 1980 have a high risk of having mesothelioma. The reason is that during that period, every branch depended on asbestos heavily as the material was fire resistant and affordable. In the military, products containing asbestos are found in aircraft, ships, military vehicles, military bases, and different types of equipment.
Due to lack of awareness, many veterans in the past gets diagnosed with mesothelioma. Manufacturers also did not share this information with the government or the general public. So, such wrongdoings of manufacturers make those veterans eligible for the compensation who are dealing with mesothelioma. Let’s find out what you need to know more about mesothelioma and veterans.
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Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma
Veterans working in different military branches faced asbestos exposure during the 20th century. It caused high rates of mesothelioma, due to which many veterans lost their lives. Veterans who have developed mesothelioma during the service are eligible for the benefits given by the department of US veterans affairs. Also, it would be better to contact the mesothelioma veterans center to know whether you qualify for the benefits or not. Veterans who fall in the compensation category get 100% disability compensation, including other types of VA (veterans administration) healthcare services. If a veteran is died due to mesothelioma, then his spouse is eligible for the compensation. Following are the different types of benefits for veterans having mesothelioma.
Disability Compensation
Disability compensation is provided every month to the veterans suffering from mesothelioma to cover their living and medical expenses. Veterans having mesothelioma are eligible for the monthly benefit of $3,106. If the veterans are married, they can get $3,279 per month. These figures are not constant as benefits can also increase as per the number of dependents of veterans.
Veterans do not have to pay the taxes for the disability compensation. Also, your employment history or income level has nothing to do with it. If the doctor has diagnosed you with mesothelioma, you are eligible for the maximum compensation.
VA Healthcare
If you want to qualify for VA healthcare, you need to prove the illness during the service. In such cases, the veteran’s income level also becomes an essential factor. The VA determines whether cancer is caused due to asbestos exposure or not to ensure that veterans qualify for VA healthcare.
VA Pension
A VA pension is the monthly payment given as compensation to the veterans who served in wars. VA pension is the difference between the maximum pension rate and the current income of the veteran.
The spouse’s income also counts in the net amount for married veterans. Suppose you want to determine whether you qualify for the VA pension or not. In that case, you should consult the VA-accredited attorney to get a clear idea.
How to File for Veteran Benefits
Suppose you want to file a VA claim to become eligible for the veteran’s benefits. In that case, you need to have complete documentation. It must show that the veteran is the victim of the asbestos exposure that has resulted in mesothelioma.
Such types of claims take time, so you have to be patient. If the disability claim is approved, then family members of the veterans can also get the survivor benefits. It would be better if veterans could start the VA claim procedure as early as possible after a mesothelioma diagnosis. It will help you earn financial stability to manage your expenses with ease.
Requirements to File a Claim
There are some requirements to file a VA claim that you have to fulfill. Firstly, you have to consider the discharge status from the active military service in the Airforce, Navy, Army, or Marine Corps for specific conditions other than dishonorable. You also have to provide your history of military job ratings to help authorities evaluate the exposure summary.
One of the most crucial requirements to file your VA claim is the medical proof that caused asbestos exposure and mesothelioma during military service. You must provide a concrete medical record to confirm that mesothelioma is caused due to asbestos during the service. You can easily file a disability claim for an asbestos-related condition by getting the services of a claims agent accredited by the VA.
Conclusion
Veterans usually have a hard-fought life, and living a life with mesothelioma can be a tough ask. So, veterans need to have the proper knowledge about their legal rights to file claims and cover their medical expenses. It will ease their financial burden and help them seek suitable treatment options to live a healthy and happy life with their loved ones.
