Written By: Devin Golden
VA Disability Claims for Mesothelioma
VA Disability Compensation for mesothelioma is a monthly, tax-free benefit provided to veterans with a service-connected disability, such as mesothelioma. Compensation is $3,737.85 per month for veterans with no dependents and increases for veterans with dependents.
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 VA Disability Compensation
- To qualify for VA Disability Compensation, veterans must convince the VA that at least 50% of their occupational asbestos exposure occurred during active duty. To accomplish this, veterans submit an asbestos exposure summary letter to the VA.
- Working with an experienced VA claims agent is the best way to file a Disability Compensation claim. Agents can help you with the following: filling out the appropriate forms, gathering required supporting documentation, and writing your asbestos exposure summary letter.
What Is VA Disability Compensation?
VA Disability Compensation is one of many veterans claims benefits of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This benefit offers monthly, tax-free compensation to veterans with a service-connected disability, such as mesothelioma.
Veterans with mesothelioma who qualify for VA Disability Compensation are awarded a 100% disability rating. The amount of monthly compensation varies depending on the veteran’s number of dependents. A 100% rating equates to $3,737.85 per month for single veterans and $3,946.25 for married veterans. VA Disability Compensation each month is higher for veterans with multiple dependents.
How to Qualify for Mesothelioma VA Disability Compensation
To qualify for Disability Compensation, at least 50% of the veteran’s occupational asbestos exposure must have occurred during military service. The veteran’s military asbestos exposure must be equal to or more significant than the veteran’s asbestos exposure in their civilian jobs both before and after their military service.
If the veteran’s exposure to asbestos occurred primarily in their civilian jobs, then they may be eligible to file a claim for VA Pension.
Other eligibility requirements for VA Disability Compensation for mesothelioma include:
- Served on active duty, active duty for training (ADT) or inactive duty training (IDT) and were exposed to asbestos while serving in uniform
- Not dishonorably discharged
- Diagnosed with malignant pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma
VA Disability Rating Calculator for Veterans with Multiple Disabilities
Some veterans have multiple disabilities that would qualify them to receive VA Disability Compensation. If a veteran has a service-connected mesothelioma, their disability rating is almost always 100% and cannot go up or down due to their second disability.
However, a veteran with multiple disability ratings of less than 100% must combine them to get a total rating. The VA has a process for combining the ratings.
When a veteran has multiple disabilities, the VA does not simply add the disability ratings for the overall rating. They multiply the second disability rating and the veteran’s “remaining ability.”
Example: You have two disabilities, one with a 60% rating and one with a 30% rating. After applying your 60% rating, the VA considers you to have 40% “remaining ability.”
Your second disability rating (30%) is multiplied by your remaining ability (40%). This equals 12%, which the VA adds to your initial 60% rating. The combined rating of 72% rounds down to 70%, which is your official combined VA Disability Rating for your two disabilities.
If your combined rating was 75%-79%, it would round up to 80%.
Mesothelioma Guide has a free VA Disability Rating Calculator to help veterans with multiple disabilities learn their combined disability rating within seconds. Use our interactive calculator below.
How to File a VA Disability Claim for Mesothelioma
Filing a VA Disability Compensation claim for mesothelioma can seem overwhelming and confusing. Depending on the circumstances, the veteran may submit multiple VA forms and supporting documents during the filing process.
Get free help filling for VA Disability Compensation. Mesothelioma Guide’s VA-accredited claims agent, retired Navy LCDR Carl Jewett, has 16 years of experience helping veterans with VA claims. He speeds up the process by assisting in filling out forms, writing the exposure summary letter, and submitting the claim and all supporting documentation to the VA. Carl also provides status updates throughout the claim process.
Follow these steps when navigating the VA claims process.
Fill Out Required VA Forms
To file a VA Disability Compensation claim for mesothelioma, veterans need to fill out a VA Form 21-526EZ Disability Compensation form. If the veteran is married or has other dependents, they must fill out a VA Form 21-686c Dependency form. If the veteran is housebound or in need of regular Aid & Attendance, then the veteran needs to have their doctor fill out a VA Form 21-2680.
Gather Supporting Documentation
To submit a VA Disability Compensation claim, the veteran needs:
- Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, Form DD-214,
- Marriage license (if applicable)
- Birth certificates (for any dependent children)
- Medical records related to the diagnostic testing (pathology report) and treatment of their mesothelioma
- A signed copy of their asbestos exposure summary letter
Write an Asbestos Exposure Summary Letter
Convincing the VA the veteran’s mesothelioma is service-related requires a letter detailing their exposures to asbestos in the military and civilian jobs (before and after military service). The letter can be submitted on a VA Form 21-10210 or as a letter, as long as the veteran’s name, SSN and/or VA Claim Number (if applicable) is at the top of each page.
Submit the Claim Packet to the VA
The veteran can submit their claim packet either online, by mail or by fax. However, it is advised to seek the assistance of an experienced VA-accredited claims agent to review the packet before submitting it. This helps gain approval by verifying forms are filled out correctly and all supporting documentation has been gathered. A VA-accredited claims agent can also submit your claim through the VA’s online portal which provides confirmation that the claim has been received.
VA Acknowledges Receipt of the Claim
The VA provides a written response acknowledging receipt of the claim 30 days after receiving it. The VA may request additional evidence from the veteran to process the claim.
VA Obtains Military Records
After the VA acknowledges receipt of the claim, claims processors/reviewers request the veteran’s service and military medical records from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
VA Schedules Compensation & Pension (C&P) Examination
After reviewing the claim, the VA may schedule a Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination for the veteran. The VA determines whether the veteran must undergo a physical exam at their local VA hospital or with a VA contractor. If the veteran has supplied all the medical records related to their mesothelioma and an asbestos exposure summary with the claims application, a C&P exam is usually not required.
VA Makes a Decision on the Claim
According to the VA, the average time to process VA Disability Compensation claims is 147 days. This is based on the average time in May 2024.
If the claim is approved, the VA sends an approval letter and back-pays the veteran for the time between the claim submission and approval. If the claim is denied, the VA sends a letter explaining the reason for denial along with a description of the appeal process.
How Much Compensation to Expect From a VA Disability Claim for Mesothelioma
The VA disability rating for veterans with mesothelioma is 100%, which means calculating your monthly payment is easy. Approved veterans will receive the amount listed for whichever dependent description (spouse and children) best applies.
Veterans with mesothelioma may also qualify for Housebound benefits or Aid and Attendance (A&A). Housebound benefits are for veterans confined to their homes due to their disability. A&A is for veterans needing help performing daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, shaving, managing medications, and preparing their own meals.
Note: Additional compensation is available if you qualify for VA Disability Compensation due to mesothelioma and your spouse requires Aid and Attendance.
The most common dependent statuses and the corresponding VA Disability Compensation rates are listed below. These amounts change (increase) every year to reflect cost-of-living increases. The current amounts are from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, which were last updated on December 1, 2023:
| Dependent Status | 100% rating | Veteran is Housebound | Veteran Requires A&A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $3,737.85 | $4,183.85 | $4,651.06 |
| Married | $3,946.25 | $4,392.25 | $4,859.46 |
| Single and one child | $3,877.22 | $4,323.22 | $4,790.43 |
| Married and one child | $4,098.87 | $4,544.87 | $5,012.08 |
| Dependent Status | 100% rating | Veteran is Housebound | Veteran Requires A&A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $3,737.85 | $4,183.85 | $4,651.06 |
| Married | $3,946.25 | $4,392.25 | $4,859.46 |
| Single and one child | $3,877.22 | $4,323.22 | $4,790.43 |
| Married and one child | $4,098.87 | $4,544.87 | $5,012.08 |
Additional amounts:
For each additional child
$103.55
For each additional child over 18 in a qualified school program
$334.49
Spouse requires A&A
$191.14
Note: These amounts are added to any of the above payment amounts
If your dependent status does not fit one of these descriptions, please reach out to our veteran’s assistance staff by calling 844-VET-MESO.
How a VA Claims Agent Can Speed Up the VA Claims Process
After receiving a claim, the VA performs an initial review to determine the need for additional evidence or supporting documents. The most important evidence in the claim is the pathology report from the veteran’s biopsy and the asbestos exposure summary letter.
A VA claims agent will help gather evidence of asbestos exposure and help compile all the necessary supporting medical documentation. The intent is to convince the VA that the veteran’s mesothelioma is primarily a result of their military service.
Mesothelioma Guide’s veteran’s assistance department can assist with VA Disability Compensation claims, streamline the process, and help complete all the required paperwork. Contact our agent, 24-year Navy veteran Carl Jewett, for further explanation and answers to any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Disability Compensation
Who Can File for Mesothelioma VA Disability Compensation?
Veterans with a service-connected mesothelioma are eligible for VA Disability Compensation. Service-connected mesothelioma is defined as an asbestos cancer where at least half of the veteran’s occupational exposures occurred during their time in the service.
How Much Compensation Will I Get If My Mesothelioma VA Disability Claim Is Approved?
The minimum amount for VA Disability Compensation is $3,737.35 per month. The compensation is higher for veterans with dependents, such as a spouse or child. It is also higher for veterans who qualify for Housebound or Aid & Attendance (A&A) benefits.
How Long Do VA Disability Claims Take for Mesothelioma?
According to the VA, the national average processing time for all disability claims was 147 days in May 2024. For mesothelioma VA Disability Compensation claims, veterans go through a multi-step process that includes convincing the VA the disease is service-connected. However, there are ways to expedite your claim. Mesothelioma Guide staff can usually get mesothelioma disability claims approved in less than four months.
How Do You Prove Your Mesothelioma Is Service-Connected?
You don’t necessarily need to “prove” your mesothelioma is service-connected. You only need to convince the VA there is at least a 50% chance that your military service caused your mesothelioma. Generally, this means convincing the VA that at least 50% of your asbestos exposure occurred during military service.
Who Can Help Me Qualify for VA Disability Compensation?
VA claims agent retired Navy LCDR Carl Jewett has been helping veterans write their asbestos exposure summaries and compile other necessary VA claims benefits paperwork for more than 16 years. He can assist you in detailing your history of exposure to qualify for VA Disability Compensation.
Sources & Author
- The VA claim process after you file your claim. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/after-you-file-claim/. Accessed: 10/01/2020.
- How to file a VA disability claim. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/. Accessed: 10/01/2020.
- Eligibility for VA disability benefits. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/. Accessed: 10/01/2020.
- Current disability compensation rates. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/compensation-rates/veteran-rates/. Accessed: 12/08/2023.
- VA Aid and Attendance benefits and Housebound allowance. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/. Accessed: 10/01/2023.
