Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program

Mesothelioma is a painful disease that can affect veterans who served in the United States Army. These servicemen may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.

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

Symptoms

There are many symptoms that mesothelioma patients can be afflicted with. Patients should be aware of their symptoms and notify their doctor if they experience changes.

The majority of patients with mesothelioma suffer from pain and swelling in the chest or abdomen. Patients may also experience fatigue, a cough and loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, some veterans may not be able to recognize them initially. Based on the level of asbestos exposure, some symptoms may manifest later than others. Symptoms can appear more quickly when exposure to asbestos is high. Mesothelioma symptoms may also change as the disease grows and spreads to other areas of the body, a process referred 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 main method used to treat mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos particles or ingestion of them can lead to mesothelioma. Asbestos is linked to lung cancer and other medical conditions.

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.

Many veterans who were in the Army were exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. They may have worked on bases for military personnel or in factories that made asbestos-containing equipment, and on Navy vessels where asbestos was widely used. Veterans who worked in milling, piping and shipyard work, insulation demolition of older structures and carpentry on Navy vessels are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma.

In the beginning, most pleural mesothelioma patients experience chest pain and difficulty breathing. They may also have an pleural effusion. It is the accumulation of fluid in the pleura that connects the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions restrict the ability of the lungs to expand during breathing. Patients with mesothelioma are more likely to experience inflammation and pleural thickness.

As mesothelioma progresses, these symptoms will get more severe. Patients may suffer from fatigue, fever and a decrease in appetite. Some mesothelioma patients develop blood clots, which could be dangerous to their health. Dysphagia is a condition that can cause patients to have difficulty swallowing.

Diagnosis

As asbestos is a mesothelioma causing agent and mesothelioma, a diagnosis will likely involve a biopsy and certain tests. To avoid a misdiagnosis asbestos sufferers should have mesothelioma specialists conduct the tests. A misdiagnosis could hinder patients from receiving the appropriate treatment and could cause the disease to spread quickly.

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

When a doctor has a sample to examine, they will determine whether it is peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. This will aid in determining the best course of treatment for the patient. The biopsy also assists doctors determine the mesothelioma type, which can affect the prognosis.

The most commonly used mesothelioma type epithelioid is most common. It develops more slowly than other cancerous cells, making it easier for doctors to treat. It can also occur in the lungs, but is generally less severe than pleural mesothelioma.

When the results of the biopsy are available, a specialist will determine the best treatment options for the patient. The doctor will also establish the prognosis determined by the mesothelioma type and the speed at which it is growing.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma who have had a history of asbestos exposure in the military, could be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact a VA-accredited claim representative to determine if you qualify for benefits if you were exposed to asbestos in the United States Armed Forces.

Treatment

The type of mesothelioma malign the patient has and the stage it is determined by the treatment options. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to relieve breathlessness due to the build-up of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can perform VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or open surgery to remove a portion of the that lining the chest wall and the lungs. A tube can be inserted into the chest to drain fluid from around the lungs a few times a week.

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

Certain patients with mesothelioma may not qualify for surgery, even if doctors believe they could be treated surgically. In these situations doctors may recommend palliative treatments to ease symptoms like fatigue, pain, and sleeplessness.

After treatment, mesothelioma can return. The cancer may recur in the same spot from which it first began or spread to other areas of the body. In the event of a recurrence in mesothelioma treatment, it can be more difficult.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral is well-known for its strength and resistance to heat. It was used in a variety of Army construction projects, including insulation and for vehicles. Asbestos fibers can be airborne when disturbed and could cause serious health complications if inhaled.

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

Financial Assistance

The mesothelioma treatment process can be costly. However, veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to receive financial assistance. Veterans can receive compensation in form of disability benefits or settlements from mesothelioma suit. The compensation offered by these programs can help veterans pay for their medical expenses in addition to expenses for living expenses.

Asbestos lawyers help veterans get the amount they are due for their exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma. An experienced lawyer can help the veteran file a mesothelioma lawsuit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or make a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for their exposure to asbestos.

Most mesothelioma patients and their families members who survive are eligible for compensation from the VA because mesothelioma is been classified as a service-connected disease. The type of asbestos exposure determines the eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to occur in Navy veterans who have worked in shipyards rather than Army veterans compensation for mesothelioma (www.copyoa.com).

If mesothelioma is confirmed, the patient can apply for a monthly disability compensation payout through the VA. The amount of compensation is contingent on the level of mesothelioma-related disability. The VA also compensates for funeral and burial expenses for those who die from mesothelioma.

Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses may also seek compensation from asbestos trust funds and the manufacturers accountable for their exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma lawsuit could result in an amount of money that is significant for the victims and their family members.

Many nonprofit organizations provide grants to mesothelioma patients for accommodation, travel and other costs related to their cancer treatment. These grants are available to mesothelioma compensation canada victims and their survivors. They can assist in paying for medical expenses and help ease financial stress.

Mesothelioma sufferers and their families are faced with a myriad of financial obstacles due to costly mesothelioma therapies. Compensation from various sources can aid in the payment of these expenses. Compensation from the VA mesothelioma fund, the VA and personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit settlements with asbestos-related companies could be included. An attorney can assist mesothelioma patients and their loved ones pursue compensation to cover the medical expenses.