Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Army Veterans
U.S. Army veterans who served before the 1980s were often exposed to asbestos during their service, putting them at risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. If you or a loved one developed an asbestos-related disease after serving in the Army, we may be able to help you secure VA benefits and legal compensation. Call (877) 446-5767 now to find out your eligibility.
Army Veterans With Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
Throughout the 20th century, all branches of the military used asbestos — including the Army. At the time, the dangers of asbestos were not known to the public, and many service members worked with or around this hazardous mineral on a daily basis.
Today, asbestos is known to cause serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Since it can take decades for these cancers to develop, Army veterans exposed to asbestos 10-50 years ago are still at risk of getting sick.
U.S. military veterans and their loved ones may be able to receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and legal compensation if they are now suffering from an asbestos-related disease.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer compensation can help pay for medical bills and protect your family’s financial future. Find out if you may qualify for assistance now during a free case review.
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- Learn About Your Options
- Contact Us for Free
Mesothelioma and Army Veterans
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, testes, or heart.
While this type of cancer is incredibly rare, 33% of all mesothelioma cases involve veterans due the widespread use of asbestos in the U.S. military.
Many Army veterans with mesothelioma aren’t diagnosed until the cancer has progressed to an advanced stage, as the symptoms of this disease can mimic the symptoms of less serious illnesses.
Mesothelioma symptoms in Army veterans can include:
- A persistent cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Pain in the chest or abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness
If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the Army and are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Lung Cancer and Army Veterans
Many people assume that lung cancer is caused by smoking cigarettes. However, this disease can also be caused by exposure to asbestos.
The main difference between lung cancer and mesothelioma is that lung cancer forms directly within the lung, while most cases of mesothelioma form in the lining of the lung.
Lung cancer is much more common than mesothelioma, but it is still incredibly serious. In fact, more veterans die from lung cancer than any other type of cancer.
Symptoms of lung cancer in Army veterans can include:
- A cough that won’t go away
- Blood in the sputum (mucus that patients cough up)
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
Army veterans should continue to monitor their health for symptoms of asbestos-related diseases like cancer or asbestosis, even if they were discharged from the military decades ago.
Asbestos Exposure in the Army
Asbestos was used extensively in the U.S. Army because it was durable, affordable, and fire-resistant. Products containing asbestos could be found throughout Army bases, other buildings, and vehicles.
- Boilers
- Brake pads
- Cement materials
- Clutch plates
- Construction materials
- Electrical wiring
- Engines
- Fireproofing materials
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Gaskets
- Heating systems
- Insulation
- Paint
- Pipes
- Roofing materials
- Wallboard
When these products were damaged or broke down, microscopic asbestos fibers became airborne, putting any nearby service members at risk.
Asbestos in Army Barracks
Barracks and other buildings on close to 70 Army bases across the country were built using construction materials that contained asbestos.
Army bases that contained asbestos include:
- Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky
- Camp Atterbury in Indiana
- Camp Blanding in Florida
- Camp Cook in Louisiana
- Camp Dodge in Iowa
- Camp Fannin in Texas
- Camp McCain in Mississippi
- Camp San Luis Obispo in California
- Fort Benning in Georgia
- Fort Bliss in Texas
- Fort Bragg in North Carolina
- Fort Campbell in Tennessee
- Fort Collins in Colorado
- Fort Devens in Massachusetts
- Fort Dix in New Jersey
- Fort Drum in New York
- Fort Eustis in Virginia
- Fort Hood in Texas
- Fort Irwin in California
- Fort Jackson in South Carolina
- Fort Lee in Virginia
- Fort Lewis in Washington
- Fort Knox in Kentucky
- Fort Manson in California
- Fort McCoy in Wisconsin
- Fort Monmouth in New Jersey
- Fort Shafter in Hawaii
- New Cumberland Army Depot in Pennsylvania
- Pueblo Chemical Depot in North Carolina
- Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois
This is only a partial list of Army bases that used asbestos products in barracks. Call (877) 446-5767 now to find out if a base you were stationed at may have put you at risk of mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Army Vehicle Parts With Asbestos
In Army vehicles, asbestos products were used to withstand high temperatures and friction.
Asbestos-containing parts in Army vehicles included:
- Brake linings and pads
- Clutches
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Soundproofing
- Valves and heat seals
When Army vehicles required maintenance or repairs, mechanics would grind down parts, replace old parts, and work with plates that had been worn down by continuous friction, placing themselves and drivers at risk of asbestos exposure.
Jobs at High Risk of Army Asbestos Exposure
While anyone who served in the Army may have been exposed to asbestos, several Army jobs carried the highest risk of asbestos exposure.
Army jobs at risk of asbestos exposure included:
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Demolition crews
- Electricians
- Engine mechanics
- HVAC technicians
- Insulation workers
- Painters
- Pipefitters
- Vehicle mechanics
- Welders
Army veterans who worked these jobs may have handled asbestos products on a daily basis, increasing their risk of breathing in or swallowing stray asbestos fibers.
Risk of Secondhand Asbestos Exposure in U.S. Army Families
Army veterans are not the only ones at risk of asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer. Their family members and loved ones could also be in danger due to secondhand asbestos exposure.
Members of the Army who worked with asbestos-containing materials may have unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, or hair, which could expose their families to this dangerous mineral.
As a result, family members of Army veterans have gone on to develop asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to asbestos.
Compensation for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma after serving in the Army, you may be able to seek justice and pursue compensation for your illness.
Mesothelioma and lung cancer compensation is available through:
- Asbestos trust fund claims
- Lawsuits filed against asbestos companies
- VA benefits
These options can help families pay for medical bills, lost wages, daily living expenses, and more.
Find out about which compensation options may be available to you.
VA Benefits for Army Veterans
Army veterans who developed mesothelioma or lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the military may be eligible for VA benefits.
VA benefits for Army mesothelioma and lung cancer can include:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Disability compensation
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pensions
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
- VA health care
Mesothelioma has a 100% VA disability rating, which means some veterans may be eligible for nearly $4,000 a month or more through disability compensation.
Get a free case review now to see if our team can help you file VA claims or increase your current disability rating so you can get the support you deserve.
Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Army Lawsuits
Army veterans may be able to file lawsuits against the companies that manufactured or sold the asbestos-containing products they were exposed to.
Asbestos lawsuits can award significant financial compensation:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits pay out $1 million to $11.4 million on average
- Lung cancer lawsuits award $100,000 on average, but some veterans may receive much more based on the specifics of their case
If you decide to take legal action for your illness, the U.S. military and the government will not be sued — and your VA benefits won’t be impacted.
In the event that a veteran has already passed away from their illness, a family member or loved one may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.
An experienced asbestos lawyer can handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health while they pursue compensation on your behalf.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy to avoid being sued. However, courts ordered these companies to put money into asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future victims for their illnesses if they wanted to stay in business.
If the company that made the asbestos products you were exposed to has a trust fund, you may still be able to file a claim to pursue compensation for your lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis.
There is an estimated $30 billion still remaining in asbestos trust funds today.
Army veterans may be able to pursue compensation from the VA, lawsuits, and trust fund claims at the same time for their asbestos-related diseases.
We can help you determine what options you may be eligible for during a free case review.
- Access Financial Aid and Justice
- Learn About Your Options
- Contact Us for Free
Help for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer
At Lung Cancer Group, our team is here to support U.S. Army veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer or mesothelioma.
Our team may be able to help Army veterans and their loved ones access:
- VA health care and disability benefits
- Compensation from lawsuits and trust funds
- Mesothelioma treatment options
We also work with asbestos attorneys across the country who can help Army veterans pursue justice for their illnesses — and these attorneys charge no upfront or hourly fees. They only get paid if they successfully secure compensation for you.
Call (877) 446-5767 now or get a free case review to find out more about the options available to you.
Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and the Army FAQs
How were Army veterans exposed to asbestos?
All branches of the military relied on asbestos products throughout most of the 20th century, including the U.S. Army.
Army veterans may have been exposed to asbestos from:
- Construction materials used to build Army barracks
- Parts found in Army vehicles
- Jobs that put military service members at an increased risk of exposure
Does the Army still use asbestos?
The Army stopped using asbestos products in new construction during the 1980s, and steps were taken to renovate most Army assets so they were asbestos-free.
However, not all asbestos products were removed from Army bases or other assets during that time.
Buildings containing asbestos at Kentucky’s Fort Campbell, for example, were demolished as recently as 2021.
How much do veterans get for mesothelioma?
While mesothelioma Army compensation will vary on a case-by-case basis, veterans may be eligible for:
- $1 million to $11.4 million on average from a lawsuit
- $300,000 to $400,000 on average from asbestos trust funds
- Nearly $4,000 a month from VA disability payments
Let us help you get the compensation you deserve. Fill out our free case review form now to get started.
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
The mesothelioma VA rating is 100% due to the severity of the disease, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This means U.S. Army veterans with mesothelioma may be able to receive nearly $4,000 a month through VA disability compensation.
Did all branches of the military use asbestos?
Yes. Before the dangers of asbestos were known, asbestos was used by the:
After the 1980s, all branches of the military took steps to remove or secure asbestos-containing products on bases, ships, shipyards, and aircraft.
