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Asbestos-related diseases can take several decades to appear, leaving veterans who served years ago at risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer today. Asbestos was once common across the U.S. military, particularly aboard Navy ships and in shipyards, where it was used around pipes, equipment, engine rooms and boiler rooms.
Veterans also encountered asbestos in brakes, gaskets, construction materials and other military equipment. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says veterans who worked around these materials may face health risks long after their service.
Mesothelioma is still being diagnosed today. CDC cancer statistics show 2,709 new cases were reported in the United States in 2023, and the VA continues to accept disability claims from veterans whose asbestos-related illnesses may trace back to military service decades earlier.
Former U.S. Army Captain Aaron Munz now serves as a VA-accredited claims agent and director of the Veterans Department at The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. He regularly speaks with veterans and families who are trying to understand whether an illness could be connected to military asbestos exposure.
“When I first speak to veterans, they’re usually concerned about how their diagnosis will affect their families,” Aaron says. “I can help them understand that through the VA and civilian legal compensation. They can ensure they’re able to pay for medical expenses, offset loss of income and provide financial security for their loved ones. The majority of veterans I assist today served during the 1960s through the 1980s, when asbestos was used extensively in every branch of service. About 80% of veterans served in the Navy when every ship was mandated to use asbestos for fireproofing until the late 1970s. Many officers aren’t surprised by their diagnosis because they know many former service members who’ve already been affected by asbestos.”
Veterans make up a substantial share of mesothelioma legal cases in the United States. A U.S. Department of Defense report estimated that veterans account for nearly one-third of legal claims involving malignant mesothelioma.
Exposure wasn’t limited to service members who directly repaired insulation or replaced brake linings. Officers entered many of the same ships, engineering spaces, vehicles, barracks and work areas where asbestos-containing materials were present.
“Officers served alongside their troops and experienced similar daily exposure to asbestos. Navy and Coast Guard officers who served aboard ships had daily exposure to hundreds of asbestos-containing materials used for insulation, heat shields and fire protection,” Aaron explains. “Officers serving in combat vehicles, helicopters and planes worked and lived aboard equipment that contained asbestos. I’ve assisted many officers who served aboard ships, flew aircraft, and led armor and artillery units. I’ve also helped military dentists, chaplains and nurses whose exposure to asbestos contributed to mesothelioma cancer decades later.”
Veterans concerned about past exposure should tell their doctor where and when they served. Those seeking VA disability compensation for asbestos exposure generally need medical records, service records and evidence connecting their illness to military asbestos exposure.
The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com works with veterans whose asbestos exposure happened decades ago and whose mesothelioma and lung cancer are now affecting their lives. Aaron’s team helps veterans gather service records, document where exposure may have occurred and prepare VA disability claims that connect their diagnosis to their military service. The Veterans Department at The Mesothelioma Center can help families understand other compensation options, including asbestos trust funds, at no cost.
Advice for Veterans With Mesothelioma
Aaron emphasizes that veterans with a mesothelioma diagnosis should connect with a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible. He also encourages them to explore available VA benefits if they haven’t already.
“There is help available. In over 11 years of helping veterans and their families, I haven’t spoken to anyone who wasn’t exposed to asbestos during their service,” Aaron shares. “I recommend diagnostic screening for every veteran who served more than 20 years ago. Be proactive about your health and ask your doctor for a low-dose CT scan of your lungs to look for the early stages of asbestos lung disease. If you’re diagnosed with scarring or cancer, there are resources available from the VA and, for some cancers, from asbestos trust funds. We’re here to help you connect with all the resources you have earned with your service.”
For veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com is here to help them understand their options and find the support they need.