Written By: Devin Golden
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma for Navy Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. Navy have a significantly high risk of asbestos exposure and developing asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. Navy veterans were exposed on ships and in shipyards. This branch has the largest number of veterans with mesothelioma.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
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Important Facts About Asbestos and Mesothelioma in the Navy
- During World War II, the military used asbestos to mass-produce ships and build the world’s largest fleet to support the war effort. Asbestos use continued until the 1980s, meaning Navy veterans serving through the Cold War period were all potentially exposed to asbestos.
- Navy ships and shipyards were the most common sites for asbestos exposure. Everyone from shipbuilders to Naval officers serving on board ships spent hours, days and weeks surrounded by asbestos in bulkheads, overheads, decks, boilers, heaters and more.
- Navy veterans with mesothelioma are eligible to file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to receive benefits such as Disability Compensation, Pension, Aid & Attendance and free Health Care.
Rates of Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma
There are fewer than 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the U.S. each year, and nearly 30% of mesothelioma cases are military veterans. Approximately 1,000 veterans are diagnosed each year, and the majority are Navy veterans.
According to the Boston VA health care system, doctors reportedly treated 56 veterans mesothelioma cases from 2011-2016, and half of these cases (28) were Navy veterans.
Asbestos on Navy Ships
Every Navy ship built between the 1930s and 1970s contained large amounts of the natural mineral asbestos. More than 300 asbestos-containing products and materials were used during construction. In some cases, thousands of pounds of asbestos were installed on Navy vessels.
Why the Navy Built Ships With Asbestos
The Navy built ships with asbestos for:
- Thermal management – Effectively insulating high-temperature components within the ship’s systems
- Friction reduction – Enhancing the durability of components subject to friction
- Fire prevention – Mitigating the spread of fire, a significant concern on naval vessels
The manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing materials were aware of the associated health risks. Despite this knowledge, they failed to provide adequate safety warnings to their customers. Consequently, individuals working with asbestos, including Navy personnel, were often unprotected and at an elevated risk of military asbestos exposure.
Health Risks Associated with Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused only by asbestos exposure. Although the military used asbestos for its durability, insulation qualities and fire resistance, it can easily break apart when disturbed, contaminating the air with microscopic asbestos fibers. Airborne asbestos fibers can be inhaled or ingested, potentially causing mesothelioma to form decades later.
Where Was Asbestos on Navy Ships?
Asbestos use in the Navy wasn’t limited to specific vessels. It had applications in virtually every ship, including structural components, paint, mattresses and more.
Asbestos was used in ship:
- Engine and boiler rooms
- Insulation
- Deck tiles
- Firewalls and doors
- Pipe lagging and pipe fittings
- Gaskets, valves and pumps
- Wardrooms and berthing spaces
- Pump rooms
- Galleys and mess decks
- Rudders, propellers, cranes and turrets
- Officer quarters
- Captain’s and admiral’s cabins
- Sick bay
Asbestos was often used for fire-proofing different materials, such as:
- Adhesives
- Mixtures
- Compounds
- Boiler insulation
- Pipe insulation (lagging)
- Electrical wiring and cables
- Deck covering
- Gaskets
- Panels
- Paint
- Pumps
- Spray-on insulation
- Valves
The U.S. built asbestos-containing ships during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Due to the widespread use of asbestos in Navy ships during these war periods, most Navy veterans experienced some level of asbestos exposure, especially if they served prior to 1980.
In the late 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began implementing and enforcing safety standards for asbestos. As a result, the Navy began phasing out asbestos and replacing it with non-asbestos-containing insulation and fire protection materials.
Types of Navy Ships With Asbestos
The types of Navy ships made with asbestos included:
- Aircraft carriers
- Battleships
- Cruisers
- Destroyers and escorts
- Frigates
- Landing craft and amphibious ships
- Submarines
- Tugs
- Repair ships
- Oilers
- Cargo ships
- Minesweepers
- Stores ships
- Floating drydocks
- Ammo ships
- Tenders
- Auxiliary ships
- Hospital ships
- Transport ships
Navy Occupations and Asbestos Exposure
Shipyard workers, sailors, machinist’s mates, boiler technicians, pipefitters, firemen and water tenders were at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure. However, everyone from the commanding officer to the lowest-ranking seaman faced some risk of asbestos exposure.
Work performed in Navy shipyards often involved the removal and reinstallation of asbestos, creating asbestos dust. This is when the tiny asbestos fibers become airborne, making asbestos especially dangerous. This puts everyone working in that area of the shipyard at risk because the weightless fibers can float through the air and contaminate the entire working area.
Similarly, many occupations on board ships were at increased risk. Asbestos was used in boiler rooms, pipe lagging, bulkheads, deck tiles and other parts of the ships to insulate machines, wires and pipes.
The International Journal of Radiation Biology reported a few Navy occupations at high risk of mesothelioma:
- Machinist’s mate
- Boiler technicians
- Water tender
- Pipefitters
- Fireman
Other Navy occupations with a high risk of asbestos exposure were:
- Hull technician/welder
- Engineman
- Electrician’s mate
- Steelworker
- Seabees
- Damage controlman
- Machinery repairman
- Gunner’s mate
- Boatswain’s mate
- Aviation machinist’s mate
- Aviation boatswain’s mate
- Storekeepers
Mesothelioma Compensation for Navy Veterans and Family Members
There are several types of mesothelioma compensation for Navy veterans with mesothelioma and their family members. This financial compensation is through the VA and legal system, along with health care benefits through the VA:
- VA benefits – Claims for benefits filed with the VA; veterans can apply for VA Disability Compensation, VA Pension, Aid & Attendance, VA Health Care and other benefits available to family members
- Legal claims – Filed with the assistance of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer; veterans can file lawsuits against asbestos companies or asbestos trust fund claims if the responsible asbestos company is now bankrupt
VA Benefits for Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma
VA benefits for Navy veterans with mesothelioma include:
- VA Disability Compensation – If at least 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure occurred in the military compared to the veteran’s civilian career
- VA Pension – If more than 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure occurred in the veteran’s civilian career; wartime veterans under the maximum income level for their household size can qualify for VA Pension
- Aid & Attendance (A&A) and Housebound benefits – If the veteran requires the assistance of another person to perform at least two activities of daily living; the veteran may also receive additional compensation if their spouse requires A&A
- VA Health Care – If the veteran meets the criteria of one of the eight health care priority groups
Qualification for VA benefits depends on how much the veteran was exposed to asbestos during military service compared to the amount of their exposure in their civilian jobs.
VA Benefits for Family Members of Navy Veterans
VA benefits for family members of Navy veterans with mesothelioma include:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation – If the veteran passed away due to service-connected mesothelioma or a similar condition
- Survivors Pension – If the surviving spouse meets certain income and net worth requirements
- Survivors Pension – If the surviving spouse meets certain income and net worth requirements
- Aid & Attendance – If the survivor requires the assistance of another person to perform at least two activities of daily living
- CHAMPVA – A health care program for spouses and children of disabled veterans (alive or deceased)
- Burial benefits – Financial assistance offered to families of deceased veterans to contribute to funeral costs
Mesothelioma Legal Claims for Navy Veterans
Mesothelioma legal claims for Navy veterans include:
- Asbestos trust fund claims — Legal claims filed with bankrupt asbestos companies’ trust funds that result in a fixed compensation amount previously established by the courts
- Mesothelioma lawsuits — Legal claims filed against viable asbestos companies that often result in a settlement agreement or a verdict decided by a jury; lawsuits can be personal injury or wrongful death
Asbestos manufacturing companies knew the health risks associated with asbestos but chose not to disclose the information to the government, regulatory agencies, entities they sold their products to, or the general public. They are now legally liable for all asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma.
The average amount for a mesothelioma recovery is $1 million-$1.4 million, which usually comes from a combination of lawsuit settlements and asbestos trust funds.
Mesothelioma Settlements for Navy Veterans
Mesothelioma settlements are a common form of compensation for Navy veterans. Mesothelioma lawsuits often result in asbestos settlements, which means all parties involved reach an agreement regarding the compensation amount awarded to the victim.
Lawsuits for mesothelioma rarely end in verdicts, as most asbestos companies do not want to risk the courts ordering them to pay multi-million-dollar amounts to victims. Instead, settlements are favorable to asbestos companies, as they have a say in compensation amounts, and they end the legal process faster than in a lengthy trial.
Mesothelioma Treatment for U.S. Navy Veterans
Navy veterans can receive mesothelioma treatment from experienced doctors at VA hospitals or civilian hospitals.
The mesothelioma treatment options for veterans include:
The treatment a veteran receives depends on the type of mesothelioma they have, the stage of their mesothelioma, and their age and overall physical health.
The VA offers VA Health Care, which is healthcare with either low or no copayments for veterans with mesothelioma. If the veteran has insurance through VA Health Care, they can receive medical care at either of the two VA hospitals with mesothelioma treatment programs:
If the veteran chooses to receive treatment from a civilian specialist, they must first obtain a referral from the VA for their VA Health Care plan to cover the visit and treatment.
Mesothelioma Guide recommends Navy veterans with mesothelioma look for a doctor at a top cancer center or VA medical center. Mesothelioma is a complex cancer and requires medical professionals to have years of specialized experience to effectively treat it.
How Can Navy Veterans Take Action for Their Asbestos Exposure?
Navy veterans are the largest group of mesothelioma diagnoses in the military. Thankfully, there are free resources available to help Navy veterans, such as VA benefits and legal claims.
Mesothelioma Guide’s VA-accredited claims agent, LCDR Carl Jewett, is a retired Navy veteran. He spent most of his 24-year military career in the engine room of a submarine. He now dedicates his time to assisting veterans with filing VA claims and getting veterans and their family members approved for VA benefits for asbestos illnesses. Carl also connects veterans and their family members to the top mesothelioma lawyers if interested in filing legal claims for their mesothelioma.
To learn more about mesothelioma VA benefits and legal claims, contact Carl at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma
How do Navy veterans develop mesothelioma?
Navy veterans develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. Asbestos is the only cause of mesothelioma. Small fibers can break away from the main piece of asbestos and contaminate the air. Veterans breathe in these loose fibers, which get stuck in cell linings near the lungs or abdominal cavity. This is how mesothelioma forms.
When did the use of asbestos increase in the Navy?
The use of asbestos increased in the Navy during World War II. The rampant production of Navy ships helped create the world’s most powerful fleet. This manufacturing relied on asbestos, which was easy to find, cheap to produce and sensible to implement as a safeguard from fires at sea.
Which Navy occupations were at risk of exposure to asbestos?
The Navy occupations at risk of exposure to asbestos include:
- Shipbuilder
- Electrician
- Steelworker
- Machinist mate
- Machinery repair worker
- Welder or hull technician
- Pipefitter or shipfitter
- Boiler technician
- Engineman
- Gunner’s mate
Do some Navy ships still include asbestos?
Yes, some Navy ships still include asbestos. Specifically, older Navy ships will include the mineral. Starting in the 1980s, the military phased out building ships with asbestos. Many older ships built prior to this time had asbestos removed for safety, but some ships still have asbestos present.
What benefits are available to veterans with mesothelioma?
The benefits available to veterans with mesothelioma include: monthly compensation, health care, specialized treatment and asbestos trust funds. VA benefits for mesothelioma, in the form of either Disability Compensation or Pension, provide financial assistance for Navy veterans who have this cancer.
How do I access these VA benefits for mesothelioma?
The quickest way to access VA benefits for mesothelioma is by speaking with a VA claims agent. These experts detail whether you’re eligible for compensation, health care or legal claims. They also help you find treatment from a mesothelioma specialist at a VA hospital or cancer center.
Sources & Author
- Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma mortality among atomic veterans. International Journal of Radiation Biology. Retrieved from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09553002.2018.1551641. Accessed: 01/27/2021.
- Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM): Analysis of Military Occupation Related to Asbestos Exposure and Subsequent VA Disability Entitlements in Veterans at the Boston VA (VABHS). AVAHO Updates. Retrieved from: https://www.mdedge.com/fedprac/avaho/article/113975/oncology/malignant-pleural-mesothelioma-mpm-analysis-military?sso=true. Accessed: 02/01/2021.
- 2024 Veterans disability compensation rates. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/. Accessed: 12/21/2020.
- Active and reserve U.S. military force personnel numbers by service branch and reserve component in 2019. Statista. Retrieved from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/232330/us-military-force-numbers-by-service-branch-and-reserve-component/. Accessed: 01/30/2021.
