Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma is a painful condition that can affect veterans who served in the United States Army. The servicemen could be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds or mesothelioma army compensation lawsuits.

Veterans of the Army were exposed asbestos in barracks, vehicles, and aircraft. They could also have been exposed to asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.

Signs and symptoms

Mesothelioma patients suffer from a variety of symptoms. Patients should keep track of their symptoms and notify their doctor if they experience changes.

Most patients suffering from mesothelioma experience pain and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen. Patients may also experience fatigue, a cough and a loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms could be mistaken for those of other ailments. So some veterans may not be able to recognize them initially. Depending on the asbestos exposure, some symptoms may manifest later than others. High levels of asbestos exposure usually cause symptoms to manifest more quickly than low-level exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms can also change as the disease develops and spreads to other areas of the body, a process known as metastasis.

Asbestos is a natural mineral. It is a strong, heat-resistant material that is used in many military vehicles and construction materials. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the primary method used to treat 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 are mild to severe, and it can affect the abdomen and lungs and abdomen, as well as the heart and joints. Most asbestos-related diseases take between 10 and fifty years to develop.

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

In the initial stages, the majority of patients with pleural mesothelioma notice chest pain and difficulty breathing. They might also suffer from a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid in the pleura that lines the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions can limit the lungs' ability to expand when breathing. Patients with mesothelioma are more likely to suffer from pleural thickening and inflammation.

As mesothelioma advances affected patients will notice that their symptoms get more severe. Patients may suffer from fatigue, fever or loss of appetite. Certain mesothelioma army compensation patients develop blood clots that could be harmful to their health. Patients can also experience a hard time swallowing, which is called dysphagia.

Diagnosis

As asbestos is a cause of mesothelioma, a diagnosis will most likely include a biopsy and certain tests. To avoid misdiagnosis, asbestos victims should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. Misdiagnosis can stop patients from receiving appropriate treatment and could allow the disease to spread quickly.

If a doctor suspects mesothelioma they will order an imaging test to look for any masses in the abdomen or chest. This could be a CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take a tissue or fluid sample to be examined under microscope. A biopsy is the most conclusive way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnoses.

When a doctor has a sample to look at, they will determine whether it is pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, which can then help them determine the most appropriate treatment for the patient. The biopsy can also help doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma cell, which could affect the prognosis of the patient.

The most common mesothelioma type epithelioid is the most commonly encountered. It grows slower than other cancerous cells, which makes it easier for doctors to treat. It can also affect the lungs, but is less serious than pleural msothelioma.

After the results of the biopsy come in A specialist will decide the best treatment options for the patient. The doctor will also decide the prognosis, based on the mesothelioma type and how fast it is growing.

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, who have an history of asbestos exposure in the military, could be eligible to receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact a VA-accredited claims rep to find out if you are eligible for benefits if you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the United States Armed Forces.

Treatment

The type of malignant mesothelioma that a patient has and its stage will determine treatment options. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma can undergo surgery to relieve breathlessness due to fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The surgeon may use 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 a few times each week.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is treated similarly as pleural mesothelioma, however with less invasive surgery. The diaphragm and peritoneum as well as other abdominal organs can be removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients may undergo chemotherapy and radiation following surgery to kill cancer cells that remain.

Certain patients with mesothelioma are not qualified for surgery even though their doctors believe that they could be treated by surgery. In these situations medical experts may recommend palliative care to alleviate symptoms like fatigue, insomnia and pain.

After treatment, mesothelioma can return. The cancer may return in the exact spot where it began or spread to other parts of the body. After recurrence, it may be more difficult to treat mesothelioma.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is well-known for its toughness and resistance to heat. It was utilized in a variety of construction projects involving the Army, such as insulation, as well as in vehicles. Asbestos fibers can become airborne when disturbed and could cause serious health problems if inhaled.

Veterans are eligible for financial aid to cover treatment when the VA recognizes mesothelioma as a condition that is related to service. A mesothelioma attorney can help veterans receive the disability benefits they deserve.

Financial Assistance

The mesothelioma treatment process can be financially demanding. However veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can receive financial assistance. Veterans are eligible for compensation in the form of settlements or disability benefits from mesothelioma suit. Compensation from these sources can help veterans pay their medical expenses, in addition to daily living costs.

Asbestos lawyers can aid veterans obtain the compensation they deserve for their asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist veterans to file a mesothelioma suit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the companies that are accountable for their exposure to asbestos.

The majority of mesothelioma patients as well as their survivors are eligible for compensation through the VA, as mesothelioma has been classified as a condition that is a result of a service. The type of exposure to asbestos determines eligibility. For instance, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards could be at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than Army veterans.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, the veteran can apply for an annual disability compensation payment through the VA. The amount of the benefit will depend on the severity of the impairment resulting from mesothelioma. Additionally, the VA will pay for funeral and burial costs for those who is eligible for mesothelioma compensation die due to mesothelioma.

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, may also seek compensation through asbestos trust funds and the manufacturers accountable for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma suit can result in a settlement that is substantial for victims and their family members.

Many nonprofit organizations offer grants to mesothelioma cancer patients to cover travel, housing and other costs related to their treatment. Mesothelioma patients and survivors of their family members are eligible to apply for these grants to cover medical expenses and reduce the financial burden.

The cost of mesothelioma treatments can be an expense for the patient and their family. Compensation from various sources can help pay for these costs. These include compensation from the VA and mesothelioma trust funds as well as personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit settlements against the companies that are that are responsible for asbestos exposure. Lawyers can assist mesothelioma victims and their family members pursue compensation to pay for the medical expenses.