Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma can be a painful illness that affects many veterans of the United States Army. The service members could be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds and lawsuits.

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

Signs and symptoms

There are a variety of symptoms mesothelioma patients might suffer from. Patients should be aware of their symptoms and notify their physicians if they notice any changes.

The majority of mesothelioma symptoms are the presence of fluid and pain either in the chest or abdomen. Patients may also have a cough, fatigue and an inability to eat. Some of these symptoms are similar to those experienced with other diseases, so some veterans might not associate mesothelioma initially. Some symptoms may appear later, depending on the amount of asbestos exposure. Symptoms can appear more quickly when asbestos exposure is high. As the disease progresses mesothelioma symptoms can change. This is known as metastasis.

Asbestos is a natural mineral. It is a durable, heat-resistant material that is used in many military vehicles and construction materials. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the main method for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pleural mesothelioma are caused by inhaling or ingestion of asbestos particles that are microscopic. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a wide range of medical conditions, including lung cancer.

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

Many veterans who were in the Army were exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. They could have worked on military bases, in factories that produced asbestos-containing equipment as well as on Navy ships where asbestos was widely 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 are afflicted with breathing difficulties and chest pain in the beginning. They may also have a pleural effusion, which is the accumulation of fluid inside the pleura that lines the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions limit the ability of the lungs to expand when breathing. Patients with mesothelioma often experience inflammation and pleural thickness.

As mesothelioma worsens patients who are affected will notice these symptoms become worse. They may experience a loss in appetite, fatigue, and fever. Certain mesothelioma patients develop blood clots, which could be dangerous to their health. Dysphagia, a condition, can cause patients to experience difficulty swallowing.

Diagnosis

Mesothelioma is an Asbestos Compensation Mesothelioma [Trade-Britanica.Trade]-related tumor diagnosed with mesothelioma will likely require undergoing certain tests and receiving an examination. Asbestos sufferers should seek out a mesothelioma specialist to carry out the test to avoid the possibility of a false diagnosis. Incorrect diagnosis can stop patients from receiving appropriate treatment and could cause the disease to spread quickly.

When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will request an imaging test to detect any masses in the abdomen or chest. This could be a CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take the sample of tissue or fluid for analysis under a microscope. A biopsy is the most conclusive way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

The doctor will determine if the sample is a pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal me which will allow them to determine the best treatment for the patient. The biopsy can also assist doctors to determine the type of mesothelioma cells, which can have an impact on the prognosis of the patient.

The most common form of mesothelioma epithelioid is the most commonly encountered. This type grows more slowly than other cancerous cells, making it more easy for doctors to treat. This type may also affect the lungs, but is less invasive than pleural msothelioma.

A specialist will determine what the most effective treatment options are for the patient after the results of a biopsy have been gathered. The doctor will also determine a prognosis based on the mesothelioma type and the rate that it is growing.

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who have a background of asbestos exposure during the military, could be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. People who were exposed to asbestos during their service in the United States Armed Forces should contact a VA-accredited claims rep to determine if they are eligible for.

Treatment

The type of mesothelioma malignancy the patient has and the stage it is determined by treatment options. People with pleural mesothelioma often undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness due to the build-up of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can use VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open surgery to remove a portion of the chest wall's lining and lung. A tube is placed into the chest to drain the fluid around lung several times per week.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is treated similarly to pleural mesothelioma, but with less extensive surgery. Surgery may involve the removal of parts of the abdomen including the diaphragm and peritoneum. After surgery, patients who have mesothelioma may undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments to kill any cancer cells that remain.

Certain patients with mesothelioma are not suitable for surgery, even though their doctors believe that they could be treated by surgery. In these instances, doctors may recommend palliative treatment to relieve symptoms like fatigue and insomnia.

After treatment, mesothelioma could return. The cancer may recur in the same place in which it first appeared or spread to other parts of the body. After recurrence, it may be more difficult to treat the mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is renowned for its strength and heat resistance. It was used for many Army construction projects, such as insulation and vehicles. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they can become airborne and inhaling them can lead to a number of serious health complications.

Veterans are eligible for financial aid to cover treatment when the VA recognizes that mesothelioma is a condition that is related to service. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans in obtaining the disability benefits they deserve.

Financial Assistance

The cost of mesothelioma treatment can be expensive. Veterans who have been diagnosed as having mesothelioma may be eligible for financial aid. Veterans can receive compensation in form of disability benefits or settlements arising from mesothelioma lawsuits. These compensation programs can help veterans pay their medical costs and daily living expenses.

Asbestos lawyers help veterans get the money they deserve due to their asbestos exposure or mesothelioma. An experienced lawyer can assist the veteran in the filing of a mesothelioma case with the Department of Veterans Affairs or filing an injury-related or wrongful death lawsuit against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure.

In the majority of cases, mesothelioma patients and their loved ones who survived are eligible for compensation from the VA because mesothelioma is considered an illness that is connected to service. The type of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to be experienced by Navy veterans who have worked in shipyards as opposed to Army veterans.

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

Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases can also seek compensation act mesothelioma from the asbestos trust funds and the manufacturers accountable for their asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma case could result in an enormous settlement for the victims and their families.

Many nonprofit organizations offer grants for mesothelioma cancer patients to pay for travel, housing and other costs associated with their treatment. These grants are available to mesothelioma victims and their families. They can be used to pay for medical expenses and help ease the burden of financial stress.

The cost of mesothelioma treatments can be an economic burden for the patient and their family. Compensation from various sources could assist in paying for these expenses. These include payments from the VA and mesothelioma trust funds, as well as personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit settlements against the companies that are who are accountable for their asbestos exposure. A lawyer can help a mesothelioma patient and their family members in pursuing compensation to pay for medical expenses.