VA Disability for Asbestos Exposure
Were you exposed to Asbestos during your military service, and now suffer from cancer or other serious lung conditions?
We can help you get the benefits you deserve
- Written By Attorney Troy Bouk
When microscopic fibers you couldn’t even see during service cause lasting damage to your lungs and body, the consequences are devastating—and they deserve recognition from the VA.
FAQs About Asbestos Related VA Disability...
Understanding Asbestos Exposure in Veterans
Asbestos was once widely used in military construction, shipbuilding, and equipment due to its heat-resistant properties. Veterans who served between the 1930s and 1980s were especially at risk of breathing in asbestos fibers, often without any protective gear or warning.
Over time, inhaled asbestos fibers can cause scarring of lung tissue (asbestosis), life-threatening cancers like mesothelioma, and other serious respiratory conditions. The latency period is long—illnesses may not appear until decades after service.
Despite the well-known risks, many veterans still struggle to get fair recognition from the VA for asbestos-related illnesses.
Health Conditions the VA Recognizes From Asbestos Exposure
The VA acknowledges several asbestos-related conditions for disability compensation:
- Asbestosis:
Chronic lung scarring that causes shortness of breath and reduced lung function. - Pleural plaques:
Areas of hardened tissue on the lining of the lungs or chest cavity, often an early sign of exposure. - Pleural effusion:
Fluid buildup between the layers of tissue lining the lungs and chest wall. - Lung cancer:
Particularly in veterans with a history of asbestos exposure and/or smoking. - Mesothelioma:
A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen, or heart, almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure. - Laryngeal and Ovarian Cancer:
Also recognized by the VA as potentially connected to asbestos exposure.
Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with cancer, serious lung conditions from asbestos can qualify you for VA benefits.
How the VA Rates Asbestos-Related Conditions
The VA rates asbestos-related illnesses based on severity and impact on daily life:
- Asbestosis (DC 6833):
- Rated based on pulmonary function tests (PFTs), such as FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) and DLCO (diffusion capacity).
- Ratings range from 10% to 100% depending on breathing impairment.
- Lung Cancer (DC 6819):
- Rated 100% during active cancer treatment and for six months afterward.
- After treatment, residuals (e.g., respiratory dysfunction) are rated separately.
- Mesothelioma (DC 6819 or 6844):
- Automatically rated at 100% because of the severe and life-limiting nature of the disease.
Secondary symptoms like fatigue, depression, or infections may also be rated separately if they result from the primary illness.
Common Symptoms of Asbestos-Related Conditions in Veterans
Symptoms may develop slowly but worsen over time. Veterans exposed to asbestos often experience:
- Shortness of breath, especially during exertion
- Chronic cough, sometimes with blood
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fatigue and weight loss
- Difficulty swallowing (in mesothelioma cases)
- Hoarseness or voice changes
- Frequent respiratory infections
Because asbestos illnesses progress slowly, symptoms may not appear until decades after exposure, making early diagnosis and strong claim documentation critical.
Why Asbestos Exposure Claims Get Denied
VA claims for asbestos exposure are often denied because:
- Lack of service record documentation. Many veterans weren’t explicitly told about asbestos exposure, and the VA may require proof of occupational risk (e.g., working in shipyards, maintenance, construction).
- Latency period confusion. Illnesses that surface decades after discharge can lead the VA to argue that they aren’t service-connected.
- Misunderstanding the exposure risk. Veterans who served outside shipyards may still have had asbestos exposure, but this often isn’t considered without strong evidence.
Without careful record gathering and expert support, claims can be undervalued or denied outright.
Exposed to Asbestos
During Military Service?
How We Help Veterans With Asbestos Exposure Claims
Proving asbestos exposure during military service—and the devastating illnesses that result—requires experience and persistence. We:
- Work to reconstruct your military occupational history to show likely asbestos exposure based on job duties, service location, and era.
- Gather medical evidence and expert opinions connecting your diagnosis to your military exposure.
- Ensure that secondary conditions and long-term complications are fully reflected in your VA claim.
Whether you’re filing an initial claim or challenging a denial, we are committed to fighting for the full benefits you deserve.
