VA Asbestos Claims
Veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma are eligible for VA compensation. This compensation is used to pay medical bills and living expenses.
Asbestos patients can file a disability claim with the VA in person at regional offices or over the phone. They can work with a mesothelioma lawyer collect the required documents and files.
Medical Evidence
Asbestos is a toxic mineral that causes mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses. Veterans who are exposed to asbestos during their time in the military can claim compensation from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Compensation may be required to cover treatment costs and lost income, as well as pain and suffering.
The majority of veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses are entitled to disability benefits. But, many don't know how to claim the benefits or they mistakenly believe that their condition is not connected to their military service. An experienced VA asbestos claims attorney can help.
A lawyer can review the medical records of veterans to determine if their time in the military is related to mesothelioma, asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos patients must provide a report of their asbestos exposure, which outlines the type and duration. These materials are used to make the case that the condition is a result of military service and that the exposure to asbestos in the military was more than exposure to civilians.
The VA recognizes asbestos-related conditions like fibrosis, pleural effusions or plaques that include larynx, pharynx and gastrointestinal tract cancers. Generally speaking, the VA will only award compensation for mesothelioma or certain other asbestos-related conditions when the veteran can demonstrate that the exposure to asbestos occurred during active duty.
During the 1930s to 1980s, asbestos was used in military vessels, bases and vehicles. Because of the military's frequent use of asbestos, a majority of veterans were exposed to asbestos at some point. Veterans from all branches of the military are at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. However, mesothelioma is a difficult disease to prove as it typically takes years before symptoms show up and is sometimes mistakenly diagnosed.
Veterans or the survivors of veterans with mesothelioma could make a claim against the VA or asbestos trust funds to seek financial compensation. These legal proceedings can result in a verdict award that is higher than settlement offers. The Law Offices of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help veterans and their families get VA asbestos compensation. They can also assist with asbestos lawsuits against mesothelioma manufacturers.
Exposure Summary
VA provides health and financial compensation to many veterans diagnosed with cancers or other illnesses related to asbestos. However, the process can be complicated and it's often necessary to employ a veteran's attorney. The mesothelioma lawyers who are experienced at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC represent veterans from all branches of the military and can help them file a successful VA asbestos claim.
The disability program of the VA provides monthly mesothelioma patients with benefits that can be used to pay medical expenses and living expenses. Veterans must provide a written history of asbestos exposure to be eligible for compensation. The asbestos exposure summary must contain sufficient information about the veteran's military or civilian work experience and asbestos-related illness symptoms.
A well-written asbestos exposure overview can help a veteran's mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness claim. An experienced VA asbestos lawyer can create an asbestos exposure letter to make sure that it has all the necessary details required to support the claim. The letter must include a medical nexus opinion from a physician that is required to prove that mesothelioma and asbestos-related conditions were caused by military service.
Veterans are eligible for VA compensation for a variety of asbestos-related diseases. The VA also recognizes asbestosis, lung cancer and pleural plaques laryngeal cancer, peritoneal fluid, as well as the condition known as atelectasis. These conditions can be fatal, as well as mesothelioma.
Asbestos was a very popular material used in the military, particularly on Navy bases and ships. It was inexpensive and had good insulation properties. The military's extensive use of asbestos placed its personnel at a high risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses. According to the VA anyone who worked in an asbestos mine, a shipyard or handled shipboard equipment may have been exposed to asbestos.
The highest incidences of mesothelioma can be seen in veterans who were in the Navy however, veterans of the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard can also be awarded compensation. Asbestos-related illnesses have a long latency period, and veterans do not typically develop their symptoms until after retirement or even later in life.
Patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma have to prove that at least 50% of their asbestos exposure took place during their military service. A VA asbestos lawyer will examine the records of the veteran to ensure they have the evidence of exposure to qualify for VA compensation.
Claim Exam
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer, should receive compensation benefits under the VA system. The program will pay between 10 and 100% of a disabled veteran's rating based on their medical condition. The VA requires that you demonstrate that your medical condition is debilitating and that asbestos exposure has caused it. This is why it is critical for all veterans suffering from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition to make a claim with the VA.
A veteran can accomplish this by writing an exposure summary detailing the ways they were exposed asbestos during their military service and the time they were exposed. This includes the kind of asbestos used in the shipyards, factories and military bases, among others. This will also include what type of military equipment, such as aircrafts, vehicles and barracks that they were exposed to.
After a veteran has filed this document with the VA they will be required to take the Compensation and Pension Exam (C&P). It is similar to an annual checkup, but is designed to assess the veteran's disability.
The C&P exam will be conducted by an examiner from the medical field. It could be an individual VA healthcare provider or one of the organizations contracted by the VA to conduct these examinations. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on the medical condition of the veteran's disability, and whether it is service-related.
The VA will then use the information provided in the C&P examination and the evidence of exposure to asbestos to determine a rating level and a compensation rate for the disease or disorder. This is why it's important for veterans suffering from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease to work with an VA certified attorney. This will ensure that claims are filed in a timely manner and that veterans don't risk losing their benefits due to mistakes. Our lawyers at BCBH Law have a VSR on their team who is skilled in working with VA and understands how veterans were exposed mesothelioma or asbestos during their service in the military.
Appeal
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases could be eligible to receive various benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Medical care and monthly compensation can be accessed to help pay for expenses resulting from the diagnosis. It is important for these veterans to submit an VA disability claim and to have the necessary evidence to ensure their claim is approved.
It is difficult to submit an VA disability claim for asbestos and mesothelioma. You must be attentive to every detail. A single error could cause the VA to deny an application for benefits or to delay the response. A mesothelioma attorney or VA lawyer with experience can help with the application process and also review the VA's decision on behalf the client.
If the VA denies a mesothelioma claim or another type of asbestos-related illness, an accredited representative can make an appeal on behalf of the client. Edinburg asbestos attorney will review the VA's decision to determine if the claim was supported by enough evidence and correct any errors that may have been made during the appeals process.
A seasoned VA lawyer can also assist with the collection of any additional evidence that is needed to support a mesothelioma, asbestosis or other claim for illness. This can include obtaining copies from any documents related asbestos exposure during service, aswell as records from any companies who handled asbestos after the VA. The VA will utilize this evidence to determine the extent of the veteran's asbestos-related illness and the resulting disability rating.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has years of experience representing veterans with VA asbestos claims. We can assist our clients receive the compensation they deserve by understanding the VA disability process. Our firm is dedicated to defending asbestos victims' rights and their families. Contact us today for an initial consultation for free and to learn more about our services. We don't charge an amount unless we secure compensation for our client. This includes the payment of past and future medical bills, future and past lost income, and damages for suffering and pain.