Written By: Devin Golden
Mesothelioma and the Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard veterans are at risk of developing mesothelioma due to extensive asbestos use in cutters and other Coast Guard vessels during the 20th century. The construction and maintenance of these vessels involved materials containing asbestos, leading to exposure. Coast Guard veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
JUMP TO A TOPIC
Important Facts About Mesothelioma and the Coast Guard
- There are hundreds of veterans with mesothelioma diagnosed in the U.S. each year. The Coast Guard is the smallest branch of the U.S. military, yet there are still Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma cancer.
- Asbestos exposure often occurred on different types of Coast Guard ships, such as cutters, utility boats, interceptors, and port security boats.
- Workers at many Coast Guard shipyards were exposed to asbestos regularly.
- VA benefits, such as monthly compensation and free health insurance, are available to Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma.
Rates of Mesothelioma Among Coast Guard Veterans
The U.S. Coast Guard is the smallest branch of the United States military. There are approximately 41,000 active members and 7,800 Coast Guard reserves. This is 1/8th the size of the Navy and 1/12th the size of the Army.
Despite the small size of the branch, there are Coast Guard veterans diagnosed each year with the rare cancer known as mesothelioma. The link between military service and asbestos exposure continues to impact veterans of every branch.
According to the Boston VA health care system, doctors treated 56 cases of veterans with mesothelioma between 2011 and 2016. Two of the patients served in the Coast Guard.
How Were Coast Guard Veterans Exposed to Asbestos?
U.S. Coast Guard members serve on ships and in shipyards. Coast Guard veterans during the 20th century were regularly exposed to asbestos in these locations, similar to Navy veterans serving on ships.
Asbestos was a go-to material for insulation and fire protection. The substance was used in making gaskets, wiring conduits, insulation, pipes, deck plates, engine rooms and boiler rooms in Coast Guard ships. Asbestos was routinely used to insulate machinery that produced heat, such as boilers or HVAC units.
Asbestos on Coast Guard Ships
Coast Guard ships built prior to the 1980s contained asbestos. The mineral was added to the ship’s structure, machinery and various appliances.
The types of Coast Guard ships with asbestos during the 20th century include:
- Lifeboats
- Response boats
- Cutters
- Utility boats
- Long-range and short-range interceptors
- Transportable port security boats
Examples of Coast Guard ships manufactured using asbestos include:
- Polar class Icebreakers
- Treasury class cutters
- Casco class cutters
- Owasco class cutters
- Hamilton class cutters
Asbestos on Cutters
Cutters, the backbone of the Coast Guard, were one of the primary sources of asbestos exposure for veterans of the branch. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports that asbestos was an integral part of any cutters built prior to 1991. According to the report, asbestos was used for thermal insulation and floor tiles.
Other potential causes of asbestos exposure for Coast Guard members aboard ships include:
- Welding or other work with heat
- Working with asbestos pipe lagging
- Repacking main and auxiliary steam valves
- Working on steam traps
- Working on the feed system and condensate system
- Removal of asbestos floor tiles, bulkhead insulation or gaskets
- Working in and around the ship’s boilers and boiler room
Asbestos in Coast Guard Shipyards
Occupational asbestos exposure is the most common type of exposure to the cancerous substance, and Coast Guard veterans serving in shipyards were often exposed to asbestos. Duke University researchers found that shipyard workers made up more mesothelioma cases than any other occupation.
In a separate study of more than 4,000 Coast Guard shipyard workers, six died of mesothelioma, which was the only cancer in the study with an increased risk for former shipyard workers.
Shipyard jobs associated to asbestos exposure and mesothelioma include:
- Carpenter
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Vehicle mechanic and repair worker
- Machinist
- Sheet metal worker
- Shipfitter, welder and cutter
Curtis Bay Coast Guard Shipyard
The Coast Guard operates the Curtis Bay Shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland. Veterans stationed at Curtis Bay have a high risk of developing mesothelioma due to the use of asbestos and high volume of ship repair work.
The Curtis Bay Yard began operation 1899 and is the Coast Guard’s only industrial shipyard and repair center. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry confirms the use of asbestos in the shipyard. From the 1940s until 1963, workers disposed of and incinerated asbestos-containing materials in the yard’s “Burn Pit.”
Mesothelioma Compensation for Coast Guard Veterans and Family Members
Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma are eligible for monthly compensation benefits and other assistance programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA benefits for veterans with mesothelioma provide consistent financial compensation. Legal claims are another option for Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma.
VA Benefits for Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma
VA benefits available to Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma include monthly compensation and health care coverage:
- VA Disability Compensation – If at least 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure occurred while on active duty
- VA Pension – If more than 50% of the veteran’s asbestos exposure occurred outside of their military service
- 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 a spouse requires A&A
- VA Health Care – If the veteran meets the criteria of one of the eight health care priority groups
Note: Compensation amounts vary if the veteran has a dependent spouse or dependent children. VA Pension is a means-tested benefit, meaning the Coast Guard veteran’s income will affect the monthly payment.
VA Benefits for Family Members of Coast Guard Veterans
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that claims the lives of many veterans each year. This leaves surviving family members to cope with financial and emotional distress.
VA benefits for family members of deceased veterans with mesothelioma include monthly payments, burial benefits and health care. Immediate family members (spouse and children) can file for survivors benefits through the VA if their loved one died of mesothelioma.
VA benefits for Coast Guard family members include:
- Dependency and Indemnity Compensation – If the veteran passed away due to service-connected mesothelioma or a similar condition
- Survivors Pension – If the veteran’s 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
Legal Claims for Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma
Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma can file legal claims such as lawsuits against the companies that manufactured asbestos. These companies profited off the mineral despite knowing it was dangerous.
Note: Mesothelioma legal claims are filed against asbestos manufacturing companies that manufactured and sold asbestos. The claims are not filed against the military or government unless the military knew asbestos was present and dangerous and withheld the information from the veteran.
Filing a legal claim – such as a lawsuit – holds asbestos companies responsible for their actions and ensures other companies do not repeat these transgressions. The U.S. court system often awards mesothelioma compensation exceeding $1 million to veterans.
There are two types of mesothelioma and asbestos legal claims:
- Asbestos trust funds — Filed with bankrupt asbestos companies’ trust funds that result in a fixed compensation amount established by the trustees
- Mesothelioma lawsuits — Filed against active asbestos companies that often result in compensation through a settlement agreement or a verdict decided by a jury
To file a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim against asbestos companies, seek the help of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. Contact our VA-accredited claims agent and veterans advocate, retired LCDR Carl Jewett, for more information.
Mesothelioma Treatment for U.S. Coast Guard Veterans
U.S. Coast Guard veterans can receive mesothelioma treatment at VA medical centers or civilian hospitals. If the veteran enrolls in VA Health Care, they can receive medical care at one of the VA medical centers. VA Health Care is a free health insurance plan with either low or no copayments for veterans with mesothelioma.
If the veteran chooses to receive treatment from a civilian specialist, they must obtain a referral from the VA for their VA Health Care plan to cover the visit and treatment. Mesothelioma Guide veterans advocate Carl Jewett can help Coast Guard veterans through the referral process.
The two VA medical centers with state-of-the-art mesothelioma programs are:
Mesothelioma Guide recommends veterans find an experienced mesothelioma specialist for treatment. Mesothelioma is a complex cancer, and specialized knowledge of the disease is crucial to effectively treat it.
Treatment options for mesothelioma include:
These treatment options depend on the veteran’s type of mesothelioma (pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma), stage and cell type.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma and Coast Guard Veterans
How often do Coast Guard veterans get mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that affects veterans at a disproportionate rate. While the U.S. Coast Guard is the country’s smallest military branch, there are a few cases each year of Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma.
Where were Coast Guard veterans exposed to asbestos?
The U.S. Coast Guard primarily serves on ships, so military asbestos exposure occurred in these locations. Coast Guard members were also exposed in shipyards, such as the Curtis Bay Shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland.
Are Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma eligible for benefits?
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides monthly Disability Compensation or Pension to Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma. VA mesothelioma benefits can provide thousands of dollars in compensation each month to the veteran and their families. There are also mesothelioma VA benefits for the family members of deceased veterans.
Can U.S. Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma receive other compensation?
U.S. Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma can take legal action, specifically filing lawsuits or asbestos trust fund claims. Mesothelioma cancer is the result of corporate greed and unethical business practices. People affected by this cancer have the right to seek compensation.
Are there lawyers who handle cases of Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma?
Yes, there are lawyers for veterans with mesothelioma. These attorneys have backgrounds handling cases involving veterans, and they understand the evidence needed to pressure the at-fault companies to settle.
Are mesothelioma lawsuits involving Coast Guard veterans made against the U.S. government or military?
No. The U.S. military and government did not know asbestos was a dangerous, cancer-causing mineral in most cases. The military purchased asbestos from asbestos manufacturing companies, which had evidence asbestos was dangerous but continued to profit off of it for many years. These companies are the subject to lawsuits from veterans.
What type of support is offered to Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma Guide provides free support services to veterans with mesothelioma. Our on-staff VA-accredited claims agent will help you file for VA benefits, including monthly disability or pension payments and free health insurance. Mesothelioma Guide also helps you find a mesothelioma lawyer for veterans to consider your legal options against the asbestos manufacturing companies that caused your cancer. Email our veterans advocate, Carl Jewett, at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com to get started.
Sources & Author
- What Does the Coast Guard Do and 7 Coast Guard Facts to Know. United Service Organizations. Retrieved from: https://www.uso.org/stories/2799-what-does-the-coast-guard-do-and-7-coast-guard-facts-to-know. Accessed: 03/03/2024.
- 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.
- 2021 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.
- The Cutters, Boats, and Aircraft of the U.S. Coast Guard. United States Coast Guard. Retrieved from: https://www.uscg.mil/Portals/0/documents/CG_Cutters-Boats-Aircraft_2015-2016_edition.pdf?ver=2018-06-14-092150-230. Accessed: 02/04/2021.
- Public Health Assessment: Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Retrieved from: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/CurtisBay121504/CurtisBay-pt1.pdf. Accessed: 02/04/2021.
- Mortality among shipyard Coast Guard workers: a retrospective cohort study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2078389/. Accessed: 03/21/2018.
- Information for Coast Guard Veterans and Retirees Filing for Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation Due to Asbestos- and Lead-Related Health Effects. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Health-Services-CG-112/Asbestos-Lead-Health-Effects/. Accessed: 02/04/2021.
