Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma can be a painful condition that affects a lot of veterans of the United States Army. The service members could be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Asbestos was found in vehicles and barracks as well as in aircraft. They also could have been exposed to asbestos while working in Navy shipyards.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms that mesothelioma patients may experience. They differ based on the stage and type of mesothelioma, and patients should keep track of their symptoms and inform any changes to their doctors.
Most mesothelioma patients experience pain and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen. Some patients also suffer from fatigue, cough and a loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other ailments. Thus some veterans might not be able to recognize them initially. Depending on the asbestos exposure, certain symptoms appear later than others. Exposure to asbestos at a high level typically cause symptoms to manifest quicker than exposure to low levels. Mesothelioma symptoms can also change as the disease progresses and spreads to other parts of the body, a process referred to as metastasis.
Asbestos occurs naturally. It is extremely durable, resistant to heat and is utilized in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the primary treatment for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and Pleural mesothelioma can be caused by inhaling or ingestion of asbestos particles that are microscopic. Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer and other medical diseases.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can range from mild to extremely severe and affect the abdomen, lungs, heart and joints. In most cases, asbestos-related illnesses can take between 10 and 50 years to develop.
Asbest was employed in many ways by veterans of the Army. They could have worked at bases for military, in factories that produced asbestos-containing equipment, and on Navy ships where asbestos was used extensively. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the fields of milling, piping, and shipyard work as well as demolition, insulation and old buildings, carpentry and insulation are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma.
In the early stages of the disease, pleural mesothelioma patients typically experience chest pain and difficulty breathing. A pleural effusion may occur, which is an accumulation of fluid inside the pleura, which is the lining of the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions restrict the lungs' ability to expand during breathing. Patients with mesothelioma often have pleural swelling and inflammation.
As mesothelioma progresses affected patients will notice these symptoms become more severe. Patients may experience fatigue, fever and a loss of appetite. Certain mesothelioma patients develop blood clots, which could be dangerous to their health. Patients may also have a hard time swallowing, a problem that is known as dysphagia.
Diagnosis
As asbestos is the mesothelioma causing agent and mesothelioma, a diagnosis will likely include a biopsy and certain tests. To avoid a misdiagnosis, asbestos sufferers should see mesothelioma experts who perform the tests. Misdiagnoses can keep patients from getting the right treatment and may give the disease more time to grow.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they'll order an imaging test to identify any lumps in the chest or abdomen. It could be an CT scan or MRI. The next step is to collect tissue or fluid samples for analysis under a microscopy. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that a mesothelioma diagnosis.
The doctor will then determine if the sample is a pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal me which will allow them to determine the best treatment option for the patient. The biopsy will also help doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma cell, which could influence the prognosis of the patient.
The most common mesothelioma type is epithelioid. This type grows slower than other cancerous cells, making it easier to treat. It can also occur in the lungs, but is usually less severe than pleural mesothelioma.
A specialist will decide what the most effective treatment options are for the patient following the results of a biopsy have been obtained. The doctor will also establish a prognosis on the basis of the type of mesothelioma and the rate of growth.
Veterans with mesothelioma who have an asbestos-related history in the military exposure could be entitled to compensation. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos while serving in the United States Armed Forces should contact a VA-accredited claims rep to see what benefits they are eligible for.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma malignancy the patient has and its stage determine treatment options. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to help improve 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 is put into the chest cavity to drain the fluid around the lungs several times a week.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is treated in a similar manner as pleural mesothelioma, however with less invasive surgery. Surgery can involve removing parts of the abdomen, including the diaphragm as well as the peritoneum. Mesothelioma patients are able to receive chemotherapy and radiation after surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.
Certain patients with mesothelioma may not meet the criteria for surgery, even if their doctors believe that they can be treated surgically. In these instances, medical teams may recommend palliative treatment to ease symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia and pain.
Mesothelioma can recur after treatment. Cancer can return in the same spot that it first began or spread to another part of the body. If mesothelioma is recurred treatment, it can be more difficult.
Asbestos is a natural mineral known for its strength and heat resistance. It was utilized in a variety of construction projects for the Army, including insulation and on vehicles. Asbestos fibers can become airborne if disturbed and can cause serious health problems when inhaled.
The VA recognizes mesothelioma as being a service-connected disease. Veterans are eligible for financial aid to help pay for their treatment. A mesothelioma attorney can assist veterans to receive the disability benefits that they are entitled to.
Financial Assistance
The treatment for mesothelioma can be expensive. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for financial aid. Veterans are eligible for compensation in the form of disability benefits or settlements arising from mesothelioma lawsuits. Compensation from these sources 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. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist the veteran to file a mesothelioma suit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or file a personal injury orwrongful death lawsuit against companies that are responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
The majority of mesothelioma sufferers and their surviving family members are eligible for compensation through the VA, as mesothelioma has been classified as a condition that is a result of a service. The type of exposure to asbestos determines the eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to occur in Navy veterans who have worked in shipyards as opposed to Army veterans.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, the patient can apply for a monthly disability compensation payout through the VA. The amount of veterans compensation for mesothelioma compensation will depend on the degree of mesothelioma-related disability. The VA also covers funeral and burial expenses for those who have died from mesothelioma.
Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses can also seek compensation from the asbestos trust funds and the manufacturers accountable for their exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma lawsuit can result in an award that is substantial for the victims and their families.
Many different nonprofit organizations provide grants to patients with mesothelioma for housing, travel and other expenses related to their cancer treatments. Mesothelioma patients and survivors of their family members are eligible to apply for these grants to cover medical expenses and reduce the financial burden.
Mesothelioma victims and their families face a variety of financial challenges due to the cost of mesothelioma treatments. Compensation from different sources can help pay for these costs. This could include compensation from the VA and mesothelioma trust funds and personal injury or settlements for wrongful death lawsuits against the companies who are accountable for their asbestos exposure. An attorney can assist mesothelioma patients and their loved ones seek compensation to cover the medical expenses.