Mesothelioma and U.S. Air Force Veterans

Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Air Force

The United States military was the largest consumer of asbestos products for roughly five decades.

Heavy asbestos use started in the pre-war years in the 1930s and continued until the 1980s when information about its health hazards was highly known.

By then, the damage was done to members of all branches of the U.S. military, including many U.S. Air Force veterans.

They had been exposed to many asbestos-containing materials over several years, which can lead to deadly diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), it takes around 20-50 years for the symptoms of mesothelioma to appear after asbestos exposure. A proper mesothelioma diagnosis is usually made after the cancer has already spread throughout the body.

U.S. Air Force veterans who develop this deadly cancer may be entitled to compensation .

U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma canfile a VA claim for help with medical treatment and other support. They can alsowork with a mesothelioma lawyer to pursue compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

Taking these actions can help veterans receive the best care possible, access compensation, and make sure their families are taken care of.

How Were U.S. Air Force Veterans Exposed to Asbestos?

The U.S. Air Force used asbestos in their manufacturing, construction, and maintenance projects for the same reasons other military branches endorsed asbestos products.

Did you know Asbestos is noncombustible. It doesn’t burn under any conditions, making it ideal for aircraft engine heat shields, cockpit protection, and fuel tank isolation.

Asbestos is thermally inert and works as an excellent insulator. It is non-corrosive and electrically non-conductive, as well as chemically stable, strong and lightweight.

Combined with low-cost and ease of access, asbestos appeared to be a miracle material for U.S. Air Force use on and above the ground.

Unfortunately, this heavy asbestos use in the U.S. military also increased U.S. Air Force members’ risk of asbestos exposure.

Planes

Asbestos products went into every American military aircraft built from the late 1930s until the 1980s.

The U.S. Air Force took extensive steps to remove asbestos-containing materials from their air fleet once they understood how serious a health problem their veterans would face.

The United States Air Force (USAF) led the military’s asbestos abatement program, but that was a monstrous task.

During a 50-year period, U.S Air Force aircraft had asbestos in these components:

• Engine heat and firewalls
• Cabin and cargo bay insulation
• Brake pads and other friction devices
• Electrical and fuel line protection
• Electrical wiring
• Gaskets and valves
• Sealants, adhesives, and paint

Planes with a high amount of asbestos-containing materials include:

• B-36 Peacemaker
• B-25 Liberator
• B-29 Superfortress
• B-47 Stratojet
• B-52 Stratofortress
• B-58 Hustler
• F-104 Starfighter
• KC-135 Stratotanker
• SR-71 Blackbird
• U-2 Spyplane

Despite the U.S Air Force’s efforts to remove asbestos-containing products from its planes, many service members were already exposed and are now at risk mesothelioma.

Barracks and Bases

Aircraft were not the only assets where the USAF used asbestos. Their ground facilities, from hangars to family housing, were heavily built using asbestos-containing products.

Asbestos-containing products on U.S. Air Force bases included:

• Bricks and fireplace construction
• Floor and ceiling tiles
• Furnace, boiler, and pipe wrap
• Heating systems
• Insulation, drywall, and paint
• Masonry and concrete powder
• Roofing shingles, and sheets
• Siding and stucco products

These materials were used throughout U.S. Air Force bases, putting both service members and their loved ones at risk of exposure to the dangerous mineral.

Asbestos on U.S. Air Force barracks and bases could be found in:

• Administration offices
• Barracks
• Family housing
• Hangars
• Maintenance facilities
• Mess halls

While the use of asbestos led many U.S. Air Force members and their loved ones to develop mesothelioma, there is compensation available for veterans in need.

VA Benefits for U.S. Air Force Veterans

U.S. Air Force veterans who served their country and developed mesothelioma as a result can apply for veterans benefits.

VA benefits may help:

• Get medical treatment
• Receive money to cover medical and other expenses
• Take care of their families financially and emotionally

To be eligible for VA benefits, two main criteria exist.

Honorable Discharge

All veterans applying for VA benefits must have been honorably discharged to be eligible. Dishonorable discharges result in a loss of benefits.

Disability Caused During Active Duty

The disability must have been caused by some event occurring while on duty. That may be an immediate injury, an aggravated pre-existing illness or a latent condition like mesothelioma that develops years after service.

Veterans who meet these criteria may have access to a wide variety of benefits that can help them as they undergo treatment for mesothelioma.

Types of VA Benefits

There are several types of VA benefits available, each with different eligibility requirements and compensation amounts.

The following are the primary classifications for VA compensation:

• Disability Compensation: Veterans who develop active-duty injuries or disabilities like mesothelioma are eligible for VA disability benefits — a tax-free, guaranteed monthly amount. Payments are made on a graduated scale from 10 to 100% of monthly financial requirements. Qualifying circumstances include how debilitating the disability is, how it is related to military service, and how it is expected to progress.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Spouses and dependent children of vets killed due to active duty causes are also eligible to receive a standard monthly compensation amount called DIC. This is also tax-free and remains in place as long as the recipients continue qualification.
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Veterans with special requirements receive additional monthly compensation. This is at a higher, tax-free rate to cover costs like home care workers, special transportation or impairment injuries like limb loss and prosthetics. SMC compensation varies on a case-by-case basis.
• Additional Special Circumstances: This extends common SMC benefits. Certain special circumstances warrant additional compensation such as for breathing-assistance apparatus, extensive medical treatment, and hospitalization.

Veterans may wish to speak with a VA claims agent or another VA accredited professional for help choosing the benefits they need and qualify for.

Other VA Benefits for Air Force Veterans

VA benefits are not restricted to financial compensation and specialized medical assistance.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is structured to help disabled veterans readjust to life after suffering service-related injuries and illnesses.

Other benefits available through the VA that Air Force vets may be eligible for include:

• Burial and Memorial Services
• Disability Pensions
• Education and Training
• Home Loans
• Insurance
• Mental Health Assistance
• Personal Health Programs
• Preventive Healthcare
• Survivors Benefits
• Vocational Rehabilitation

Veterans may qualify for different benefits based on their specific case, such as the number of family members.

Filing for VA Benefits

Every veteran remains eligible for compensation and healthcare assistance as long as the initial cause is related to military service. That includes veterans who develop diseases like mesothelioma decades after they served.

Air Force veterans may apply for benefits:

• Online: Depending on their situation, veterans may be able to file a claim online.
• In person: Veterans may bring their application to a VA regional office near them.
• By mail: Veterans can also mail their application to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that can spread rapidly, so U.S. Air Force veterans should apply as soon as possible after they have been diagnosed with mesothelioma to get the help they need.

To get help with applying for VA benefits, veterans may work with any of the following.

VA-Accredited Claims Agents

Claims agents undergo training and certification in the VA claims and appeals process in order to help veterans and their loved ones successfully file the claims they need.

Veterans Service Officers (VSOs)

VSOs work with veterans and service members and their dependents and survivors and are trained to help them file claims or appeals.

Mesothelioma Lawyers

An accredited mesothelioma attorney can help veterans gather the right information and file a claim or connect them with a VA-Accredited claims agent.

As of March 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it takes an average of about 118 days for VA to make a decision on a disability claim, so veterans should complete and file their claim as soon as possible.

Legal Help for U.S. Veterans with Mesothelioma

Attorneys specializing in asbestos-related litigation can help U.S. veterans file mesothelioma lawsuits and receive compensation. Specialized lawyers also are familiar with VA applications and can make the process fast and stress-free.

Did you know Private civil claims in asbestos cases do not affect VA claims in any way. U.S.veterans are entitled to draw funds from multiple sources, and it will not interfere with VA entitlements.

By taking legal action, veterans can hold the manufacturers who caused their illness responsible. They can also receive compensation for their illness, which can help provide for their family. You are not suing the U.S. government. You are holding the companies involved with selling asbestos-containing materials accountable. They hid the dangers of asbestos to protect their profits.

For more information on filing VA or personal injury claims, contact our claims managers today to get a free case review.