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 qualified for claiming compensation for mesothelioma through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.

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

Symptoms

There are a variety of symptoms mesothelioma patients might be afflicted with. Patients should be aware of their symptoms and notify their doctors if they change.

The majority of mesothelioma symptoms are swelling and pain, either in the chest area or abdomen. Some patients may also experience fatigue, coughing and 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. Depending on the asbestos exposure, certain symptoms may manifest later than others. Symptoms may appear earlier when asbestos exposure is high. As the disease progresses mesothelioma symptoms can change. This is known as metastasis.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is extremely durable, resistant to heat and is used in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Asbestos fibers can be airborne and inhalation is a primary method of mesothelioma exposure. Mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and the pleural mesothelioma result from inhaling or ingestion of asbestos particles that are microscopic. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a variety of medical ailments which include lung cancer.

The symptoms of mesothelioma range from mild to severe, and can affect the lungs, abdomen, heart and 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 military bases and in factories that manufactured asbestos-containing equipment and on Navy vessels where asbestos was used extensively. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the fields of piping, milling, and shipyard work, as well insulation, demolition, old buildings, carpentry, and insulation are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma.

Most patients with pleural mesothelioma are afflicted with breathing problems and chest pain in the beginning stages. They might also suffer from an pleural effusion. This is the accumulation of fluid within the pleura which covers the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions can restrict the capacity of the lungs to expand when breathing. Inflammation and pleural thickening are also common in mesothelioma patients.

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

Diagnosis

Since asbestos is a major cause of mesothelioma and mesothelioma, a diagnosis will likely require a biopsy as well as certain tests. To avoid a misdiagnosis, asbestos patients should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. False diagnoses can prevent patients from receiving the correct treatment and could give the disease more time to spread.

If a doctor suspects mesothelioma they'll request an imaging test to look for any tumors in the chest or abdomen. This could be an CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take samples of fluid or tissue to be examined under a microscope. A biopsy is the only way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

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

The most common type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It develops more slowly than other cancerous cells, which makes it easier for doctors to treat. It can also affect the lungs, but is less severe than pleural msothelioma.

A specialist will decide what the best treatment options are for the patient after the results of a biopsy have been received. The doctor will also determine the prognosis, determined by the mesothelioma type and how fast it is growing.

Veterans with mesothelioma that have a history of asbestos exposure may be entitled to compensation. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos during their time in the United States Armed Forces should seek out a VA-accredited claims representative to find out what benefits they qualify for.

Treatment

The type of mesothelioma malign a person has and the stage it is determined by treatment options. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma can undergo surgery to alleviate breathing problems because of the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon may use VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or open surgery in order to remove a portion of the that lining the chest wall and lungs. A tube can be placed in the chest to drain fluid around the lungs a few times per week.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be treated in a similar way to pleural mesothelioma entitled to financial compensation but with a less extensive procedure. Surgery can involve removing certain parts of the abdomen, such as the diaphragm and peritoneum. Mesothelioma patients are able to receive chemotherapy and radiation after surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.

Certain patients with mesothelioma are not eligible for surgery, even though doctors believe they can be treated with surgery. In these instances medical professionals may suggest palliative care to ease symptoms like fatigue, insomnia and pain.

Mesothelioma can recur following treatment. Cancer can return in the same location where it began or spread to another part of the body. In the event of recurrence, it can be more difficult to treat the mesothelioma.

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is known for its strength and resistance to heat. It was utilized in a variety of construction projects involving the Army, such as insulation and on vehicles. Asbestos fibers can be airborne if disturbed and can cause serious health problems if inhaled.

The VA recognizes mesothelioma to be a service-connected disease. Veterans are eligible for financial assistance to help pay for their treatment. A mesothelioma attorney can help veterans receive the disability benefits they deserve.

Financial Assistance

The cost of mesothelioma treatment can be high. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma might be eligible for financial assistance. Compensation programs for veterans include disability benefits and mesothelioma settlements for lawsuits. The compensation offered by these programs can help veterans pay for their medical expenses, in addition to the cost of living.

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

In most cases, mesothelioma sufferers and their families are eligible for compensation from the VA because mesothelioma has been identified as a service-connected illness. The kind of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. For example, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards may have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than Army veterans.

The VA will pay a veteran a monthly disability benefit in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The amount of the benefit depends on the degree of the impairment resulting from mesothelioma. Additionally the VA provides compensation for funeral and burial expenses for mesothelioma entitled to financial compensation those who die due to mesothelioma.

Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, can also be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds as well as the manufacturers accountable for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma suit can result in an amount of money that is significant for victims and their family members.

Many non-profit organizations provide grants for mesothelioma cancer patients to pay for accommodation, travel and other costs related to their treatment. Mesothelioma patients as well as their surviving family members are eligible for these grants to help pay for medical expenses and ease the financial strain.

Mesothelioma patients and their families face numerous financial challenges due to the cost of mesothelioma therapies. Compensation from various sources can assist in paying for these expenses. Compensation from the VA and mesothelioma fund as well as personal injury or wrongful-death lawsuit settlements against asbestos-related companies can be included. Lawyers can aid mesothelioma patients as well as their family in pursuing compensation to cover their medical costs.