Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma is a painful illness that can affect veterans who served in the United States Army. They may be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds as well as lawsuits.

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

Symptoms

Mesothelioma victims have many different symptoms. Patients should keep track of their symptoms and notify their physicians if they notice any changes.

The majority of patients with mesothelioma experience pain and fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest. Some patients also have a cough, fatigue and a loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses. Thus some veterans may not be able to recognize them initially. Certain symptoms may show up later, depending on the degree of asbestos exposure. The symptoms may be more apparent when asbestos exposure is high. As the disease progresses, the symptoms of mesothelioma may change. This is known as metastasis.

Asbestos occurs naturally. It is extremely durable, resistant to heat and is used in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Asbestos fibers can become airborne and inhalation is a primary method of mesothelioma exposure. Inhaling asbestos particles or ingestion of them can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a range of medical conditions which include lung cancer.

Symptoms of mesothelioma can range from mild to severe, and can affect the lungs, abdomen and the heart as well as joints. In most cases, asbestos-related diseases take between 10 and 50 years to develop.

Asbest was utilized in a variety of ways by veterans of the Army. They may have worked in factories that made asbestos-containing equipment or on Navy vessels which were extensively used. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the fields of piping, milling, and shipyard work, as well as demolition, insulation, old buildings, carpentry, and insulation are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.

Most pleural Mesothelioma sufferers are afflicted with chest pain and breathing difficulties in the early stages. They might also suffer from a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid in the pleura, which connects the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions can limit the lungs' ability to expand during breathing. Inflammation and pleural thickening are common among mesothelioma patients.

As mesothelioma progresses, these symptoms will become more severe. Patients may experience fatigue, fever and a loss in appetite. Some mesothelioma patients have blood clots, which can be harmful to their health. Dysphagia is a condition that can cause patients to experience difficulty swallowing.

Diagnosis

mesothelioma compensation claim is an asbestos-related tumor, so a mesothelioma diagnosis is likely to require certain tests, and then a biopsy. To avoid misdiagnosis, asbestos sufferers should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. Misdiagnosis can prevent patients from receiving the proper treatment, and can cause the disease to spread more quickly.

If doctors suspect mesothelioma they'll order an imaging test to find any masses in the chest or abdomen. This could be a CT scan or MRI. The next step is to collect fluid or tissue samples for analysis under a microscopy. A biopsy is the most definitive way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnoses.

The doctor will then determine if the sample is peritoneal mesothelioma or pleural which will allow them to determine the best treatment option for the patient. The biopsy also assists doctors determine the mesothelioma cell type, which could affect the prognosis.

The most commonly used mesothelioma type epithelioid is the most commonly encountered. It develops more slowly than other cancer cells, making it easier for doctors to treat. This type can also occur in the lungs, but is typically less serious than pleural mesothelioma.

A specialist will decide what the best treatment options are for the patient following the results of the biopsy have been received. The doctor will also establish the prognosis determined by the mesothelioma type and the speed at which it is growing.

Veterans with mesothelioma that have a military history of asbestos exposure could be qualified for compensation. Those who have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the United States Armed Forces should contact a VA-accredited claims rep to find out what benefits they qualify for.

Treatment

Treatment options are based on the type and stage of malignant mesothelioma. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to relieve breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can use VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or open surgery to remove part of the lining of the chest wall and lung. A tube could be placed in the chest to drain fluid around the lungs a few times each week.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma is treated in a similar way to pleural Mesothelioma, but with less extensive surgery. The diaphragm and peritoneum as well as other abdominal organs can be removed during surgery. mesothelioma death compensation patients may undergo chemotherapy and radiation following surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.

Some patients with mesothelioma may not suitable for surgery, even though their doctors believe they can be treated with surgery. In these situations, medical teams may recommend palliative care to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and pain.

Mesothelioma can recur following treatment. The cancer may recur in the same place where it began or spread to other parts of the body. In the event of recurrence, it can be more difficult to treat the mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is renowned for its strength and heat resistance. It was used in numerous Army-related construction projects, including insulation, as well as in vehicles. Asbestos fibers can be airborne when disturbed and could cause serious health problems when inhaled.

The VA recognizes mesothelioma as being a service-connected disease. Veterans can receive financial assistance to cover their treatment. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help veterans receive the disability benefits they need.

Financial Assistance

The treatment for mesothelioma can be expensive. However those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to receive financial aid. Compensation programs available to veterans include disability benefits, as well as mesothelioma settlements in lawsuits. Compensation from these sources can assist veterans in paying their medical expenses, and also expenses for living expenses.

Asbestos lawyers can help veterans receive the compensation they are due for their asbestos exposure or mesothelioma. A skilled lawyer can help the veteran to file a mesothelioma suit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against companies that are accountable for their asbestos exposure.

In most cases, mesothelioma victims and their families are eligible for compensation from the VA since mesothelioma is a service-connected illness. The type of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to be experienced by Navy veterans who have worked in shipyards rather than Army veterans.

The VA will provide a veteran with a monthly disability benefit if a mesothelioma is confirmed. The amount of compensation will depend on the severity of disability caused by mesothelioma. Additionally, the VA will pay for funeral and burial costs for those who die due to mesothelioma.

Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma army Compensation and other asbestos-related diseases can also seek compensation from the asbestos trust funds as well as the manufacturers accountable for their exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma suit could result in an amount of money that is significant for victims and their family members.

Many nonprofit organizations offer grants for mesothelioma cancer patients to cover the cost of housing, travel and other expenses that are associated with their cancer treatment. Mesothelioma patients and survivors of their family members can apply for these grants to help pay for medical expenses and reduce the financial strain.

The cost of mesothelioma treatments can be an economic burden for the patient and their family. Compensation from various sources could aid in the payment of these costs. Compensation from the VA mesothelioma fund, the VA and personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit settlements with asbestos-related companies could be included. A lawyer can help a mesothelioma victim and their loved ones pursue compensation to pay for their medical expenses.