VA Compensation For Asbestos Illnesses
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability compensation for illnesses that are the result of exposure to asbestos from the military. Veterans can apply online, via mail or in person.
A veteran must prove that their illness or condition is linked to their military service before they can be paid. The VA has asbestos-related diseases like pleural diseases, Mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Eligibility
Asbestos fibers can trigger a range of health problems for veterans, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and pleural plaques. These conditions can lead to expensive medical bills, a reduced quality of life, and even death. Compensation is available to help in paying these costs. The VA has a procedure to determine who is eligible 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 recommendation to determine the eligibility. The VA might require that, in addition to evaluating symptoms, a veteran undergo tests such as chest x-rays or cat scans.
An attorney for mesothelioma can assist veterans collect all the data they need to file an claim. They will know which documents to seek from the military as well as doctors, how to gather evidence, such as asbestos industry records and cutting-edge medical research and can help with appeals if a claim is denied.
A mesothelioma attorney can help you receive disability compensation, the principal VA benefit. It is a monthly tax-free benefit given to veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other illnesses caused by their service in the military. The benefits are determined by the severity of the disease and the amount of time the veteran spent in the military.
Veterans who have been identified with other asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer and asbestosis could also be qualified for benefits. The VA provides Dependency and Indemnity compensation to family members who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness.
Pre-existing conditions
The VA has compensation methods for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. However it can be challenging to get these procedures accepted. First, you must prove the diagnosis. Albany asbestos lawsuits involves medical documentation that proves that the disease was caused by asbestos exposure during your service. The VA will require a detailed record of asbestos exposure during your military service, which includes specific bases, ships, or other places where you worked at.
Many veterans have been awarded compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases from lawsuits filed against liable companies. These companies, which are now bankrupt due to asbestos lawsuits brought by victims, have set trust funds for veterans and their families. These firms were once among the largest employers of people with asbestos-related risk exposure.
If a diagnosis is confirmed after a diagnosis is confirmed, the VA will assign a disability rating, based on the severity of the disease and how it has affected your daily life. Mesothelioma patients and lung cancer patients asbestosis sufferers can receive compensation as high as 100% depending on their medical condition. Patients with non-cancerous symptoms such as fibrosis, or pleural effusions, are usually given lower scores.
It is important that you apply for benefits as quickly as possible if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. You can apply online, by mail or in person. It is a good idea to contact an accredited representative in your area to help you fill out the VA EZ benefits forms and then submit an "intent to apply" form that specifies the date you will begin receiving payments. A mesothelioma attorney can also assist you in pursuing compensation via other methods, such as an individual injury lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers and their insurers.
Signs and symptoms
Aside from a tax-free monetary payment veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses can get medical treatment and other services at VA hospitals. These services include prescriptions, medication treatments, procedures for treatment, and tests. In addition veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease can qualify for disability compensation.
Asbestos victims often have a variety of symptoms that are difficult to identify. The most frequent are shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue. However, it can be years before the first signs of exposure are evident and then a long time before the diagnosis is established. This delay can result in higher costs for healthcare, inability to work, and a lower quality of life.
The VA can give veterans a percentage of total disability dependent on the severity of their illness. This rating is based on the VA's Disability Rate Chart and varies depending on the condition. For instance, a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and has an 100% disability rating may get up to $2,400 per month.
In many instances, 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 an inventory of presumptive diseases that are believed to be linked to service and includes lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural disease.
Veterans of the Navy are at risk the most of developing an asbestos-related illness because asbestos was used in their ships as well as shipyards, as well as housing on base. However, veterans of the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps who were employed in similar jobs were also exposed to asbestos. Asbestos-related illnesses have a long time of occurrence, so it is essential that veterans consult their doctors to discuss their experience.
Treatment
Veterans who are diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments can receive a range of benefits through the VA. These include disability compensation, free healthcare, and geriatric care. A lawyer with expertise in mesothelioma cases can assist them gather the necessary evidence and submit the claim. They can also assist the claimant appeal a denial.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was used in aircraft bases and shipyards as well as in vehicle repair facilities. Military personnel were exposed to the material on a daily basis, and particularly Navy personnel working in shipyards and on naval ships. The Navy was one of the most significant asbestos users, but members from all branches of the military were at risk.
Veterans suffering from asbestos-related diseases could be eligible for a monthly compensation to assist them in paying for their treatment. In order to receive this compensation, a veteran must prove that their illness is related to their military service. This requires documentation of the veteran's work background, asbestos exposure and symptoms that been triggered by exposure.
The most common diseases related to asbestos are mesothelioma (lung cancer), asbestosis and asbestosis. Asbestosis is a benign illness that is rated by the VA as up to 100%, which means that veterans can receive the maximum monthly amount. Mesothelioma and other types of cancer are rated at higher levels, based on the severity of their symptoms.
A lawyer who is specialized in asbestos claims will make sure that all evidence relevant to the case is presented to the VA or asbestos trust funds, or liable companies. They may also bring a lawsuit against these companies. This has proven successful in a number of cases. The lawyers can also obtain records from hospitals and other medical providers.
Appeal
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses can receive compensation. They also have the option of receiving medical treatment, a higher level of disability and other types of support. Veterans should file a claim as quickly as they can so that they get the most compensation.
Veterans must provide their military service records as well as a written asbestos-exposure summary to be eligible for VA compensation. The summary should include information about the veteran's exposure to asbestos, including where it was, when and in what way. It should also describe their specific jobs and roles on military bases and ships. Veterans must prove that they were exposed to asbestos at minimum 50% of the time in the military for their mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses, in order to be considered to be service-connected.
Veterans must also provide their medical and military records to prove that asbestos exposure is the reason for their illness or condition. The VA will only pay veterans who have been diagnosed with a condition that is linked to asbestos. This includes asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. It does not offer compensation for urogenital illnesses like bladder and prostate cancer.
A skilled asbestos lawyer can assist veterans in pursuing their claims. They can assist with military and medical documents, and also gather additional evidence by utilizing a large database. They can also make sure that all paperwork is filed and the deadlines are adhered to. They will do all they can to ensure their clients receive the most favorable compensation. If the VA rejects an applicant's claim they may appeal. In some instances, a board appeal may be made to the Veterans Law judge.