Written By: Devin Golden
VA Pension for Mesothelioma
VA Pension is a monthly VA benefit for veterans with mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos more often in their civilian jobs than in the military. Pension amounts are based on the veteran’s income which is subtracted from the applicable Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR), which is set by Congress.
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 Pension
- To qualify for VA Pension, the veteran must have served on active duty for at least 90 days – and at least one day during a wartime period.
- Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) is based on the veteran’s number of dependents and whether they qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits.
- Mesothelioma Guide’s VA claims agent, retired LCDR Carl Jewett, provides free assistance to veterans filing VA Pension claims for both mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancers.
Overview of VA Pension for Mesothelioma
VA Pension is a benefit provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to wartime veterans. This benefit offers monthly financial assistance to veterans with non-service-connected disabilities, such as the rare cancer mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma.
Veterans with mesothelioma can receive VA Pension if more than 50% of their occupational asbestos exposure must have occurred in civilian jobs. Veterans whose mesothelioma is due to asbestos exposure occurring mostly during military service have a service-related mesothelioma. These veterans file for VA Disability Compensation, another monthly financial benefit.
The VA sets the Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) for veterans with mesothelioma who qualify for VA Pension. MAPR is the maximum amount of VA Pension an eligible veteran can receive each month.
How to Qualify for VA Pension for Mesothelioma
Veterans with mesothelioma qualify for VA Pension by:
- Having a mesothelioma due primarily to asbestos exposure from their civilian jobs (explained above)
- Being in good military standing (they cannot have been dishonorably discharged)
- Meeting service time and income requirements (explained below)
Service Time for VA Pension
Veterans with mesothelioma must have served on active duty for at least 90 days and at least one day during a wartime period to qualify for VA Pension.
According to the official VA website, the following wartime periods qualify a veteran for mesothelioma VA Pension:
- World War II (December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946)
- Korean War (June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955)
- Vietnam War period (November 1, 1955 to May 7, 1975 for veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam); (August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975 for veterans who served outside the Republic of Vietnam
- Gulf War (August 2, 1990 through an undetermined future date)
Income and Net Worth Limits for VA Pension
There is an income and net worth limit for VA Pension. As of Dec. 1, 2023, the maximum net worth allowed for a veteran and their spouse is $155,356. The VA calculates net worth by adding a veteran’s annual income to the value of their assets.
There’s also a limit on the veteran’s household income. If the income is above the veteran’s designated MAPR, then they would not qualify to receive VA Pension.
Quick Fact: Along with annual income, certain assets such as investments (stocks and bonds), land and boats are also added to calculate net worth. Automobiles, your primary residence and household appliances are not considered when calculating net worth.
MAPR for Veterans With Mesothelioma
The applicable MAPR for each veteran is determined first by their number of dependents (spouse and children). These rates are the maximum amounts available to veterans filing for VA Pension.
The MAPR number also fluctuates depending on whether a veteran qualifies for Housebound benefits or Aid & Attendance benefits. These benefits are for veterans either confined to their homes (Housebound) or needing the assistance of another person to perform tasks of daily living (Aid & Attendance).
As of December 1, 2023, the MAPR for veterans with no dependents is:
- $16,551 without Housebound or Aid & Attendance benefits
- $20,226 with Housebound benefits
- $27,609 with Aid & Attendance benefits
The MAPR for veterans with at least one dependent (spouse or child) is:
- $21,674 without Housebound or Aid & Attendance benefits
- $25,348 with Housebound benefits
- $32,729 with Aid & Attendance benefits
Note: The VA adds $2,831 to the veteran’s MAPR for each additional dependent after their first (spouse or child).
A veteran with a dependent child who works, results in a decreased Pension amount due to a higher household income. However, the VA excludes up to $14,600 of their child’s annual wages from the household income used to calculate the monthly VA Pension benefits.
The VA updates MAPR amounts every year to reflect cost-of-living increases. The current amounts are in effect until November 30, 2024. If you have any questions, contact veterans advocate and VA-accredited claims agent retired LCDR Carl Jewett.
How to Calculate the VA Pension Amount
The VA calculates a veteran’s pension payment by subtracting their annual income from the applicable MAPR. The veteran receives the difference, which is broken up into 12 monthly payments.
Out-of-pocket medical costs that exceed 5% of the claimant’s MAPR can be deducted from a veteran’s annual income to increase monthly VA Pension amounts.
Example: Veterans with one dependent have an MAPR of $21,674. Therefore, they can deduct medical expenses that exceed $1,083.
Veterans with mesothelioma often require state-of-the-art medical treatment for their cancer, which can lead to expensive medical bills. Contact Mesothelioma Guide’s VA-accredited claims agent, retired LCDR Carl Jewett, to learn how to add medical expenses to your VA Pension application.
How to File a VA Pension Claim for Mesothelioma
VA Pension claims can be filed online (through the VA website), in person (at a VA regional office) or via U.S. mail. According to the VA website, the process for reviewing and either approving or rejecting applications takes approximately five months.
To properly submit a VA Pension claim for mesothelioma, the veteran needs:
- Social Security Number or VA file number
- Medical information proving the diagnosis
- Financial details (and for dependents)
- Bank account information for direct deposit
Below is an overview of the VA Pension claims process for veterans with mesothelioma.
Fill Out Required VA Forms
To file a VA Pension claim, veterans need to fill out VA Form 21P-527EZ Pension form. If the veteran is married or has any other dependents, they also need to fill out a VA Form 21-686c Dependency form.
If the veteran is housebound or in need of regular Aid & Attendance, then the veteran also needs to have their doctor fill out VA Form 21-2680.
Gather Supporting Documentation
To submit a VA Pension 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)
- Financial information about the veterans and dependents
- Medical records related to the diagnostic testing (pathology report) and treatment of their mesothelioma
Submit the Claim Packet to the VA
The veteran can submit the claim packet themselves either online, by mail or by fax. Mesothelioma Guide advises veterans to seek the assistance of our experienced VA-Accredited Claims Agent, retired LCDR Carl Jewett to review the packet before submitting it. Or, Commander Jewett can submit the packet for you through the VA’s Online Submission Portal. This method ensures that the veteran gets confirmation from the VA that their claim packet has been accepted by the VA.
VA Obtains Military Records
After acknowledging receipt of the claim, the VA claims processors/reviewers request the veteran’s service and military medical records from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
VA May Request Additional Information from the Veteran
In instances where the VA believes they require additional information or records from the veteran, they will mail a letter to the veteran asking for the veteran to submit that information or records.
VA Schedules Compensation & Pension (C&P) Examination
After reviewing the application, 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 required forms and documentation with the VA Pension claim 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 (approve or reject) VA claims is 155 days. If the claim is approved, the VA sends an approval letter and back-pays the veteran for the time between the 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.
Get Help Filing a VA Pension Claim for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Guide’s veterans advocate and VA-accredited claims agent helps veterans with mesothelioma file VA Pension claims with high rates of approval. Retired LCDR Carl Jewett determines your eligibility, helps gather paperwork, and monitors the progress of your claim. Get in touch with Carl today to simplify the VA Pension claims process. Call 844-VET-MESO for immediate assistance and begin the official VA Pension claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Pension for Mesothelioma
Who is eligible for mesothelioma VA Pension?
Wartime veterans with non-service-connected mesothelioma can file for VA Pension.Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to the carcinogen known as asbestos. Pension is a VA benefit for veterans with mesothelioma who primarily had civilian occupational asbestos exposure. Wartime veterans must have served at least one day during a war period, such as the Gulf War or Vietnam War.
What is the VA Pension MARP for mesothelioma?
The amount of VA Pension that veterans with mesothelioma receive each month is based on the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR). The minimum MAPR is $16,551 and is for veterans with no dependents where the veteran does not qualify for Aid & Attendance or Housebound benefits. The highest MAPR amount is $43,791, which is for two married veterans who both qualify for VA Pension, file together, and both need Aid & Attendance benefits.
How does a veteran’s household income affect their VA Pension?
A veteran’s household income is subtracted from their MAPR to calculate their monthly VA Pension for mesothelioma. The amount after subtracting the household income is divided into 12 equal monthly payments. Veterans can deduct out-of-pocket medical bills that exceed 5% of their MAPR from their reported income, but dependents who work are also included in the household income.
Which assets are included in the veteran’s net worth when calculating VA Pension for mesothelioma?
Specific assets such as investment accounts, land and boats are included in the veteran’s net worth and can be subtracted from the MAPR. Other assets such as the veterans home and automobiles are not included in their reported net worth.
Does receiving VA Pension disqualify me from filing a mesothelioma lawsuit?
No. VA benefits and legal compensation are mutually exclusive from one another. Veterans with mesothelioma can receive VA Pension and also file asbestos lawsuits against the companies responsible for exposing them to asbestos and causing their cancer. However, once a veteran begins receiving compensation through the legal system, and their net worth exceeds the VA limit, the veteran will no longer be eligible for VA Pension payments.
Sources & Author
- Eligibility for Veterans Pension. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/eligibility/. Accessed: 10/06/2020.
- How to apply for a VA pension as a Veteran. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/how-to-apply/. Accessed: 10/06/2020.
- VA pension rates for Veterans. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/pension/veterans-pension-rates/. Accessed: 07/02/2024.
