Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma is a painful disease that often impacts veterans who served in the United States Army. They may be qualified for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.

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

Symptoms

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

The majority of mesothelioma symptoms are swelling and pain, in the chest or abdomen. Patients may also have a cough, fatigue and loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms are similar to those associated with other illnesses, so some veterans may not be able to associate them with mesothelioma at first. Some symptoms may develop later, depending on the amount of exposure to asbestos. The high levels of asbestos exposure usually cause symptoms to manifest quicker than exposure to low levels. As the disease progresses mesothelioma army compensation symptoms can change. This is known as metastasis.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is strong, heat-resistant and is utilized in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the primary method for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma the pleural mesothelioma result from the inhalation or ingesting of asbestos particles in microscopic sizes. Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer as well as other medical diseases.

The symptoms of mesothelioma range from mild to severe, and can affect the lungs, abdomen, heart and joints. The majority of asbestos-related illnesses take between 10 and fifty years to develop.

Asbest was used in many ways by veterans of the Army. They could have worked on bases for military personnel and in factories that manufactured asbestos-containing equipment, and on Navy vessels where asbestos was extensively used. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the fields of piping, milling and shipyard work as well as demolition, insulation and old buildings, carpentry and insulation are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

Most pleural Mesothelioma sufferers have breathing problems and chest pain in the beginning stages. A pleural effusion can develop and is an accumulation of fluid in the pleura lining the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions may limit the capacity of the lungs to expand when breathing. Inflammation and mesothelioma army compensation pleural thickening are also common in mesothelioma patients.

As mesothelioma worsens, affected patients will notice that their symptoms get worse. Patients may suffer from fatigue, fever and a loss in appetite. Some mesothelioma patients have blood clots, which can be dangerous to their health. Patients can also experience a hard time swallowing, which is called dysphagia.

Diagnosis

As asbestos is the mesothelioma-related cause the diagnosis will most likely require a biopsy as well as certain tests. Asbestos sufferers should have a mesothelioma specialist perform the testing to prevent the possibility of a false diagnosis. Incorrect diagnosis can prevent patients from receiving the right treatment, and may allow the disease to spread quickly.

When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will order a imaging test to look for tumors in the abdomen or chest. This could include an CT scan, MRI or an X-ray. The next step is to collect fluid or tissue samples to be examined under microscopy. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that a mesothelioma diagnosis.

When a doctor has a sample to look at, they will determine whether it is peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. This can help them decide on the most appropriate treatment for the patient. The biopsy also helps doctors determine the mesothelioma type, which can impact the prognosis.

The most commonly used type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It grows more slowly than other cancerous cells, making it more manageable to treat. This type may also affect the lungs but is less severe than pleural mesothelioma.

After the results of the biopsy are available the specialist will decide the most appropriate treatment options for the patient. The doctor will also decide the prognosis based on mesothelioma type as well as the rate of growth.

Veterans with mesothelioma compensation canada who have an asbestos-related history in the military exposure could be entitled to compensation. Contact a VA-accredited claim representative to determine if you can be eligible for benefits if were exposed to asbestos in the United States Armed Forces.

Treatment

Treatment options are determined by the stage and type of mesothelioma malignancy. Patients with pleural mesothelioma typically undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness caused by fluid build-up in the chest cavity. The surgeon might use VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open surgery to remove part of the chest wall's lining and lung. A tube can also be inserted in the chest to drain fluid around the lungs several times each week.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is treated in a similar way as pleural mesothelioma, however with less extensive surgery. The diaphragm, peritoneum and other abdominal parts can be removed during surgery. After surgery, patients with mesothelioma are able to receive radiation and chemotherapy to kill any cancerous cells that remain.

Some patients with mesothelioma might not meet the criteria for surgery, even if their doctors believe that they can be treated surgically. In these instances medical experts may recommend palliative care to alleviate symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and pain.

After treatment, mesothelioma can be recurred. The cancer may recur in the same location in which it first appeared or spread to another part of the body. If mesothelioma is recurred treatment can be more difficult.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its strength and heat resistance. It was used for many Army construction projects, such as insulation and vehicles. Asbestos fibers can become airborne if disturbed and can cause serious health complications when inhaled.

The VA recognizes mesothelioma as being a service-connected disease. Veterans can receive financial assistance to help pay for their treatment. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist veterans to receive the disability benefits they deserve.

Financial Assistance

The cost of mesothelioma treatment can be expensive. However those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may receive financial assistance. Compensation programs for veterans include disability benefits, as well as mesothelioma settlements for lawsuits. Compensation from these programs can help veterans pay for their medical expenses as well as expenses for living expenses.

Asbestos lawyers help veterans get the compensation they are due for mesothelioma or asbestos exposure. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist the veteran make a mesothelioma claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or make a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against companies that are accountable for their asbestos exposure.

In most cases, mesothelioma patients and their loved ones who survived are eligible for compensation from the VA because mesothelioma has been identified as an illness that is connected to service. The type of asbestos exposure determines the eligibility. For example, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards might be at an increased risk of asbestos exposure than Army veterans.

If mesothelioma is confirmed, the veteran may apply for an annual disability compensation payment through the VA. The amount of the payout is contingent on the severity of the disability resulting from mesothelioma. In addition the VA will pay for funeral and burial expenses for those who die from mesothelioma.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses can also seek compensation from the asbestos trust funds as well as the manufacturers accountable for their asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma suit can result in an enormous settlement for the victims and their families.

Many non-profit organizations offer grants for mesothelioma cancer patients to cover travel, housing and other costs associated with their cancer treatment. These grants are available to mesothelioma victims compensation sufferers and their survivors. They can be used to pay for medical expenses and ease the burden of financial stress.

The cost of mesothelioma treatment can be an expense for the patient and their family. Compensation from various sources can aid in the payment of these expenses. These include payments from the VA and mesothelioma trust funds, as well as personal injury or settlements for wrongful death lawsuits against the companies that are responsible for asbestos exposure. A lawyer can assist a mesothelioma patient and their family members in seeking compensation to cover their medical costs.