VA Compensation For Asbestos Illnesses
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides disability compensation to veterans suffering from diseases caused by exposure to asbestos in the military. Veterans are able to apply online, by mail or in person.
To be eligible to receive compensation, a vet must prove that there is a connection between their illness or condition and their service in the military. The VA includes pleural diseases mesothelioma, lung cancer, and mesotheliom as asbestos-related illnesses.
Eligibility
Asbestos fibers can cause various health issues for veterans, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and plaques in the pleural cavity. These diseases can cause expensive medical bills, a lower quality of life, and eventually death. Fortunately, compensation is available to help pay for these costs. The VA has a system in place to determine who is qualified to receive these benefits. A veteran must have been awarded an honorable discharge from the military and have been exposed asbestos. The VA utilizes 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 or cat scans.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather the necessary information they need to make an claim. They will know what documents to request from the medical professionals and the military, and how to gather evidence, including asbestos industry records and cutting-edge research.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get disability compensation, the principal VA benefit. It is a monthly tax-free benefit that is awarded to veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other diseases related to their service in the military. The benefits are determined by the severity of the disease and the length of time the veteran spent in the military.
In addition to mesothelioma patients, veterans who have been diagnosed with other asbestos-related illnesses such as pleural diseases lung cancer, pleural disease, and asbestosis may be eligible for benefits. The VA provides Dependency and indemnity compensation for family members who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
Pre-existing conditions
Although the VA has established procedures for compensation for asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, it is not simple to get these methods approved. First, you have to prove the diagnosis. This usually requires medical documentation that proves that the cause of the illness was asbestos exposure during service. The VA also requires a written history of exposure detailing the manner in which and the time you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the military and details regarding specific bases or ships where you worked.
Many veterans have been awarded compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases through lawsuits against liable companies. These companies, which have now gone bankrupt because of asbestos lawsuits filed by victims, have set up trust funds for families of veterans and their loved ones. These companies used to be one of the largest employers of people who were at a high risk of exposure to asbestos.
The VA will assign you a disability rating once your diagnosis has been confirmed. This rating is determined by how severe the disease is and how it has affected your life. Patients with mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer could receive compensation up to 100%, based on their condition. People with non-cancerous signs such as fibrosis, or lymphatic effusions in the pleural space, are generally not given higher scores.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness It is crucial to apply for benefits as soon as possible. You can apply online, by mail or in person. However, it's an ideal idea to work with an accredited representative in your region to assist you in filling out the VA EZ forms for benefits and submit an "intent to file" form, which sets the date when you start receiving payments. A mesothelioma lawyer could assist you in pursuing other sources of compensation, such as through an injury lawsuit against the liable asbestos producers and their insurance companies.
Symptoms
Patients suffering from asbestos-related ailments can receive medical treatment and other services at VA hospitals. These include tests, medication, treatment procedures and prescriptions. Additionally, veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease may be eligible for disability compensation.
Asbestos is a hazard that can trigger a variety of symptoms. Most commonly, they experience chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breathe. It could take years to diagnose and decades for the first signs of exposure to show. This delay can lead to more expensive healthcare costs and a loss of ability to work, and a decrease in the quality of life.
Based on the severity of the condition, the VA can give veterans the percentage of their total disability. This rating is based upon the chart for disability of the VA and is dependent on the condition. For instance, a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and has a 100% disability rating could receive up to $2,400 a month.
In many instances, VA does not require veterans to provide proof that their mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses were caused by military service. The VA has a list of presumptive illnesses that are believed to be related to military service. This includes asbestosis and lung cancer.
Veterans of the Navy are at risk the most of developing an asbestos-related disease because asbestos was employed in their ships and shipyards, as well as on-base housing. But veterans from the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps who worked in similar jobs have also been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos-related diseases can have a lengthy time of latency, which is why it's vital for veterans to visit their doctors and talk about their work history.
Treatment
Veterans who are diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments are eligible for a variety of benefits from the VA. These include disability compensation, free healthcare and geriatric care. A lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma-related cases can assist them collect evidence and file an application. They can also assist the claimant appeal a denial.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally that was used in aircraft bases, shipyards and vehicle repair facilities. Military personnel were exposed asbestos on a regular basis, particularly Navy employees working in shipyards as well as on naval ships. The Navy was among the biggest asbestos users, however, members of every branch of service were at risk.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are eligible for monthly payments to help pay for treatment. To qualify for this benefit, a veteran must prove that their illness is related to their military service. This means submitting proof of their employment history, asbestos exposure and the symptoms that have been triggered by the 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 rated by the VA at up to 100 percent, which means veterans can receive the maximum monthly amount. Mesothelioma and other types of cancer are rated at much higher levels, depending on their severity.
A lawyer who is specialized in asbestos claims will make sure that all relevant evidence is provided to the VA, asbestos trust funds, or liable companies. They can also bring an action against these companies which has proven successful in a number of cases. Buffalo asbestos lawyers can also obtain information from hospitals and other medical professionals.
Appeals
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses can be compensated. They may also be eligible for benefits for healthcare as well as an increase in disability ratings, and other support. Veterans must file claims as soon as they can to receive the maximum compensation.
Veterans must submit their military service documents along with an asbestos exposure summary in writing to be eligible for VA compensation. The summary should contain information regarding the exposure of the veteran to asbestos, including where it was, when and in what way. It should also outline the specific roles and jobs they performed on military bases and ships. Veterans must prove that they were exposed to asbestos at least 50 percent of the time they were in the military for their mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases, to be considered to be service-connected.
Veterans must also provide their medical and military documents to prove that exposure is the cause of their condition or disease. The VA will only pay veterans who have been diagnosed with a condition that is associated with asbestos. This includes lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. It does not award compensation for urogenital disorders, including bladder and prostate cancer.
A skilled asbestos attorney can assist veterans with their claims. They can assist with medical records and military records and collect additional evidence by logging into a database. They can also ensure that the proper documents are filed and deadlines are adhered to. They will work to secure the most favorable compensation for their clients. If the VA rejects an applicant's claim they can appeal. In certain cases, this may involve an appeal to a Veterans Law Judge.