Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma is a painful condition that can affect veterans who served in the United States Army. They may be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.

Asbestos was discovered in vehicles and barracks as well as aircraft. They also could have been exposed to asbestos while working in Navy shipyards.

Symptoms

Mesothelioma victims have many different symptoms. Patients should be aware of symptoms and notify their doctor if they experience changes.

The majority of mesothelioma-related symptoms involve swelling and pain, either in the chest area or abdomen. Patients may also suffer from fatigue, cough and loss of appetite. Some of these symptoms are similar to those associated with other diseases, therefore some veterans may not be able to associate them with mesothelioma at first. Some symptoms may develop later depending on the level of asbestos exposure. The symptoms may be more apparent when asbestos exposure is high. Mesothelioma symptoms may also change as the disease progresses and spreads to other areas of the body, a process known as metastasis.

Asbestos is a natural mineral. It is a durable, heat-resistant material that is employed in a variety of military vehicles and construction materials. Asbestos fibers can be airborne and inhalation is a most common method of exposure to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma Pleural mesothelioma can be caused by inhaling or ingestion of these microscopic asbestos particles. Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer and other medical conditions.

The symptoms of mesothelioma range from mild to severe, and it can affect the abdomen and lungs and abdomen, as well as joints and the heart. Most asbestos-related illnesses take between 10 and 50 years to develop.

Many veterans who served in the Army were exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. They could have worked on military bases, in factories that produced asbestos-containing equipment, and on Navy ships where asbestos was extensively used. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the areas of piping, milling and shipyard work, as well as insulation, demolition of old buildings, carpentry, and insulation are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

In the initial stages, most pleural mesothelioma patients have chest pain and trouble breathing. They might also suffer from a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid in the pleura, which covers the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions can restrict the capacity of the lungs to expand when breathing. The thickening of the pleural membrane is also common in mesothelioma patients.

As the mesothelioma advances, these symptoms will become more severe. They might experience a loss of appetite, fatigue, and fever. Certain mesothelioma patients develop blood clots that could be dangerous for their health. Patients may also have difficulty swallowing, a problem that is known as dysphagia.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor and a mesothelioma diagnosis will likely involve undergoing certain tests, and then a biopsy. To avoid misdiagnosis, asbestos patients should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. Incorrect diagnosis can prevent patients from getting the right treatment and could give the disease more time to spread.

When doctors suspect mesothelioma they'll order an imaging test to look for lumps in the chest or abdomen. This could be a CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take the sample of tissue or fluid for analysis under microscope. A biopsy is the most definitive method of confirming mesothelioma diagnoses.

The doctor will determine if the sample is pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, which will help them determine the best treatment for the patient. The biopsy also helps doctors determine the mesothelioma cells type, which could affect the prognosis.

The most well-known mesothelioma form epithelioid is the most common. It grows more slowly than other cancerous cells, which makes it more manageable to treat. This type can also affect the lungs, but is less severe than pleural mesothelioma.

A specialist will decide what the best treatment options are for the patient after the biopsy results have been obtained. The doctor will also determine a prognosis based on the mesothelioma type and the rate of growth.

Veterans with mesothelioma who have a history of asbestos exposure may be qualified for compensation. Contact a VA-accredited claim representative to find out if you qualify for benefits if you were exposed to asbestos in the United States Armed Forces.

Treatment

Treatment options are based on the stage and type of malignant mesothelioma. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness due to the build-up of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can employ VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or open surgery to remove a portion of the lining of the chest wall and lung. A tube can be placed in the chest to drain fluid from around the lungs several times per week.

Peritoneal mesothelioma can be treated similarly to pleural mesothelioma but with less extensive surgery. The diaphragm, peritoneum and other abdominal organs can be removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients may receive chemotherapy and radiation after surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.

Some patients with mesothelioma may not qualified for surgery even though doctors believe that they could be treated with surgery. In these instances doctors may suggest palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and sleeplessness.

Mesothelioma can recur following treatment. The cancer may recur in the same location where it began or spread to a different part of the body. In the event of recurrence, it can be more difficult to treat mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is well-known for its durability and resistance to heat. It was used in a variety of Army construction projects, including insulation and vehicles. Asbestos fibers may become airborne if disturbed and can cause serious health issues if inhaled.

The VA recognizes mesothelioma to be a service-connected disease, and veterans are eligible for financial aid to cover their treatment. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans obtain the disability benefits they deserve.

Financial Assistance

The mesothelioma treatment process may be financially demanding. However veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can receive financial assistance. Compensation programs available to veterans include disability benefits as well as mesothelioma settlements in lawsuits. Compensation from these sources can assist veterans in paying their medical expenses, in addition to daily living costs.

Asbestos lawyers can help veterans get the compensation they are due for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. An experienced lawyer can help veterans file a mesothelioma lawsuit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the companies who are responsible for their asbestos exposure.

The majority of mesothelioma patients as well as their survivors are eligible for compensation from the VA since mesothelioma has been classified as a disease that is connected to service. The type of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to be experienced by Navy veterans who is eligible for mesothelioma compensation have worked in shipyards as opposed to Army veterans.

If a Mesothelioma army Compensation diagnosis has been confirmed, the veteran can apply for an annual disability compensation payment through the VA. The amount of compensation will depend on the degree of mesothelioma-related disability. In addition, the VA will pay for funeral and burial costs for those who pass away from mesothelioma.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can also seek compensation from the asbestos trust funds as well as the manufacturers accountable for their exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma suit could result in a substantial settlement for victims and their families.

Many nonprofit organizations offer grants for mesothelioma cancer patients to cover travel, housing, and other expenses associated with their cancer treatment. Mesothelioma patients as well as their surviving family members can apply for these grants to cover medical expenses and ease financial stress.

Mesothelioma victims and Mesothelioma army compensation their families are faced with a myriad of financial challenges due to the cost of mesothelioma treatments. Compensation from different sources can aid in the payment of these costs. Compensation from the VA, mesothelioma compensation calculator funds and personal injury or wrongful-death lawsuit settlements with asbestos-related companies could be included. A lawyer can assist a mesothelioma patient and their family in pursuing compensation to cover their medical costs.