VA Compensation For Asbestos Illnesses
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability compensation for illnesses that occur as a result of military asbestos exposure. A veteran can apply online, by mail or in person.
A vet must prove that their illness or condition is related to their military service before they can be compensated. The VA lists asbestos-related illnesses like pleural diseases, lung cancer and Mesothelioma.
Eligibility
Asbestos fibers can lead to numerous health issues for veterans, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and plaques in the pleural cavity. These illnesses can lead to expensive medical bills, a diminished quality of life, and even death. Compensation is available to help in the payment of these expenses. The VA has a system in place to determine who is qualified for these benefits. A veteran must have received an honorable discharge from the military and have been exposed asbestos. The VA uses medical records and a doctor's decision to assess eligibility. The VA may require that, in addition to evaluating symptoms that a veteran undergo tests like chest x-rays and cat scans.
A mesothelioma attorney can help veterans gather all the information they need to make an claim. They will know which documents to ask for from the military and doctors, and how to gather evidence, such as asbestos industry documents and cutting-edge medical research, and they can aid in the appeals process in case a claim is denied.
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you receive disability compensation, the principal VA benefit. It is an annual tax-free benefit that is awarded to veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other diseases related to their service in the military. The amount of benefits is determined by the severity of the illness and the length of time that the veteran served in the military.
Buena Park asbestos attorney who have been diagnosed as having other asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and asbestosis are also eligible for benefits. The VA provides Dependency and Indemnity compensation to family members who have lost a loved one due to mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Pre-existing conditions
The VA offers compensation options for asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma. However it can be challenging to obtain these procedures accepted. The first step is to establish your diagnosis, which usually requires medical paperwork that validates the condition and proves that it was caused by service-related asbestos exposure. The VA also requires a written exposure history detailing how and when you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the military as well as details on specific bases or ships in which you worked.
Many veterans have received compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses through lawsuits against liable companies. These companies, which are now bankrupt because of asbestos lawsuits filed by victims, have set up up trust funds for families of veterans and their loved ones. These companies were once among the largest employers of people who had a high risk of asbestos exposure.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed once a diagnosis is confirmed, the VA will determine a disability rating, based on the severity of the disease and how it has affected your daily life. Patients with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis may receive compensation up to 100%, based on their condition. Patients with non-cancerous symptoms such as fibrosis or lymphatic effusions, are usually given a lower rating.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, it is important to apply for benefits as soon as possible. You can apply online, via mail or in person. It is a good plan to work with a representative accredited in your area to assist you in filling out the VA EZ benefits forms and then submit an "intent to apply" form that sets the date when you will start receiving payments. An attorney for mesothelioma can help you pursue compensation through other avenues, like a personal injury suit against the asbestos manufacturers and their insurers.
Signs and symptoms
Apart from a tax-free payment veterans suffering from an asbestos-related disease can avail medical treatment and other services at VA hospitals. These services can include exams and treatments, medications, and prescriptions. In addition, veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease can qualify for disability compensation.
Asbestos is a hazardous material that can trigger a variety of symptoms. The most frequent symptoms are breathlessness fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath. It can take decades before the first signs of exposure appear and a diagnosis is confirmed. This delay could result in more expensive healthcare costs and a loss of ability to work, and a lower quality of life.
The VA may give veterans a percentage of their total disability depending on the severity of their illness. This rating is based on the VA's disability rate chart and is dependent on the condition. A veteran who has a 100 percent disability rating and mesothelioma can receive up $2,400 a month.
In most cases, VA does not require veterans to provide proof that their mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses were caused by military service. The VA has a presumptive list of illnesses that are believed to be related to military service. This includes lung cancer and asbestosis.
The veterans of the Navy are at risk the most of developing an illness related to asbestos because the material was employed in their ships and shipyards, in addition to housing on base. Veterans of the Army and Air Force who held similar jobs were also exposed to asbestos. Asbestos-related illnesses have a long latency period, so it's essential for veterans to see their physicians and discuss their experiences in the workplace.
Treatment
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses are eligible to receive a range of benefits from the VA. These include disability compensation, free healthcare and geriatric care. A lawyer with expertise in mesothelioma cases can assist to gather the evidence needed and submit the claim. The lawyer can assist them appeal a claim that has been denied.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, was used in shipyards and aircraft bases as well as in vehicle repair facilities. Military personnel were exposed asbestos on a daily basis, with a particular focus on Navy personnel who worked in shipyards and on naval ships. The Navy was the most frequent asbestos user however, all branches of service were also at risk.
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are entitled to monthly compensation to pay for treatment. In order to receive this benefit, a veteran must prove that their illness is due to their military service. This includes providing evidence of the veteran's employment history, asbestos exposure and symptoms that been triggered by exposure.
The most prevalent diseases that are linked to asbestos are mesothelioma (lung cancer) as well as asbestosis and asbestosis. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous disease that is classified by the VA as up to 100%, which means that veterans can receive the maximum monthly payment. Mesothelioma, and other cancers are rated higher depending on the severity.
A lawyer who is specialized in asbestos claims will make sure that all relevant evidence is sent to the VA and any of the asbestos trust funds or liable companies. They may also bring a lawsuit against these entities which has proven successful in a variety of cases. They can also obtain records from hospitals and medical providers.
Appeals
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses may get compensation. They can also receive healthcare benefits as well as an increase in disability ratings, and other support. It is important for veterans to submit a claim to the VA in the earliest time possible to receive the maximum amount of amount of compensation they are entitled to.
To be able to make a successful VA asbestos compensation claim, veterans must provide military service records along with a written asbestos exposure summary. The exposure summary should contain specific information about when, where, and how the veteran was exposed to asbestos. It should also include the specific duties and responsibilities they had on military bases and vessels. Veterans must prove that they were exposed to asbestos for at least 50 percent of the time they were in the military for mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related illnesses, to be considered to be connected to service.
Veterans must also submit their medical and military records to prove that exposure is the reason for their illness or condition. The VA only awards compensation for a diagnosis of a condition linked to asbestos. This includes asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. It does not award compensation for urogenital diseases such as prostate and bladder cancer.
A skilled asbestos attorney can help veterans with their claims. They can assist with medical documents and military records as well as gather additional proof by accessing databases. They can also make sure that the proper paperwork is filed, and deadlines are set. They will make sure that they get the most favorable compensation for their clients. They may also file appeals if the VA rejects a veteran's claim. In certain cases this could involve a board appeal to a Veterans Law Judge.