Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma can be a painful illness that affects many veterans of the United States Army. The servicemen could be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.

Army veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, vehicles and aircraft. They also could have been exposed to asbestos while working in Navy shipyards.

Signs and symptoms

There are a variety of symptoms mesothelioma patients might be afflicted with. Patients should keep track of symptoms and notify their doctor if they experience changes.

Most mesothelioma patients suffer from pain and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen. Patients may also experience fatigue, coughing and loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses. Thus, some veterans may not recognize them at first. Some symptoms may appear later, depending on the degree of exposure to asbestos. The high levels of asbestos exposure often cause symptoms to manifest quicker than exposure to low levels. Mesothelioma symptoms can change as the disease develops and spreads to other parts of the body, a process referred to as metastasis.

Asbestos is naturally occurring. It is a tough, heat-resistant material that is utilized in a variety of military vehicles and construction materials. Asbestos fibers can become airborne and inhalation is a primary method of mesothelioma exposure. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos particles can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a wide range of medical conditions which include lung cancer.

The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from mild to severe and affect the lungs, abdomen and heart, as well as joints. The majority of 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 may have worked on bases for military and in factories that manufactured 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 chance of developing mesothelioma.

Most patients with pleural mesothelioma have chest pain and breathing difficulties in the early stages. They may also have a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid inside the pleura which lines the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions restrict the lungs' ability to expand during breathing. The thickening of the pleural membrane is common among mesothelioma patients.

As mesothelioma advances patients who are affected will notice their symptoms becoming worse. They may experience a loss of appetite, fatigue, and fever. Some mesothelioma patients develop blood clots that can be dangerous to their health. Dysphagia, a condition, can cause patients to experience difficulty swallowing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer and a mesothelioma diagnosis will likely involve undergoing certain tests, and then an examination. Asbestos sufferers must have a mesothelioma expert carry out the test to avoid a misdiagnosis. False diagnoses can prevent patients from receiving the correct treatment and could give the disease a longer time to spread.

When doctors suspect mesothelioma they'll order an imaging test to detect any lumps in the chest or abdomen. This can include a CT scan, MRI or an X-ray. The next step is to collect samples of fluid or tissue to be examined under a microscope. A biopsy is the most conclusive method of confirming mesothelioma diagnoses.

The doctor will then determine if the specimen is a pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal me which will allow them to determine the best treatment for the patient. The biopsy will also help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma compensation government cells which could influence the patient's prognosis.

The most prevalent type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. This type grows slower than other cancerous cells, making it easier to treat. This type may also affect the lungs but is less invasive than pleural msothelioma.

When the results of the biopsy are available the specialist will decide the most appropriate treatment options for the patient. The doctor will also determine the prognosis, dependent on the type of mesothelioma and the rate at which it is growing.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma who have an background of asbestos exposure in the military, may be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. People who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the United States Armed Forces should seek out a VA-accredited claims representative to find out what benefits they qualify for.

Treatment

Treatment options are determined by the stage and type of malignant mesothelioma. Patients with pleural msothelioma may undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness due to fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. The surgeon can perform VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open surgery to remove a portion of the that lining the chest wall and the lungs. A tube can also be inserted in the chest to drain fluid around the lungs several times each week.

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

Certain patients with mesothelioma may not qualify for how much compensation do you get for mesothelioma surgery, even if doctors believe they can be treated surgically. In these instances, medical teams may recommend palliative treatment to ease symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and pain.

After treatment, mesothelioma could be recurred. The cancer may recur in the exact spot where it started or spread to other areas of the body. In the event of a recurrence in mesothelioma treatment can be more difficult.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is well-known for its durability and resistance to heat. It was used in many construction projects for the Army, including insulation and on vehicles. Asbestos fibers can become airborne if disturbed and can cause serious health problems if inhaled.

Veterans can qualify for financial aid to pay for treatment when the VA recognizes that mesothelioma is a disease related to service. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans obtain the disability benefits they need.

Financial Assistance

The treatment for mesothelioma can be financially demanding. However, veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to receive financial assistance. Compensation programs for veterans include disability benefits and mesothelioma settlements for lawsuits. How Much Compensation Do You Get For Mesothelioma from these sources can assist veterans in paying their medical expenses, as well as expenses for living expenses.

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

In the majority of cases, mesothelioma victims and their loved ones who survived are eligible for compensation from the VA since mesothelioma is a condition that is linked to a service. The type of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. For instance, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards may have a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos than Army veterans.

If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, the veteran may apply for monthly disability compensation payments through the VA. The amount of compensation will depend on the level of disability caused by mesothelioma. The VA also pays for funeral and burial expenses for those who die from mesothelioma.

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, are also able to seek compensation through asbestos trust funds as well as the manufacturers responsible for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma suit can result in an enormous settlement for the victims and their families.

Many nonprofit organizations offer grants to mesothelioma patients for accommodation, travel and other expenses associated with their cancer treatments. These grants are available to mesothelioma patients and their survivors. They can assist in paying for medical costs and reduce the burden of financial stress.

Mesothelioma sufferers and their families face numerous financial obstacles due to costly mesothelioma treatment. Compensation from various sources could help them pay for these expenses. These include payments from the VA and mesothelioma trust funds and personal injury or settlements in wrongful death lawsuits against the companies who are accountable for their asbestos exposure. A lawyer can help a mesothelioma patient and their family in pursuing average compensation for mesothelioma claim to pay for medical expenses.