Helping Veterans With Mesothelioma Get Justice and Full Compensation
Hiring the right mesothelioma lawyers isn’t just about filing a claim — it’s about securing the maximum compensation and achieving justice faster with a team that understands every step of asbestos litigation.
New Data: Veterans Represent 32% of Recent Mesothelioma Claims
Danziger & De Llano’s 2025 Mesothelioma Veteran Exposure Report reveals powerful new insights about how asbestos continues to affect America’s veterans and their families. Based on a review of more than 1,000 recent cases, the findings highlight shifting exposure patterns and the impact of new AI-driven legal tools.
32% of claimants are U.S. military veterans — most serving aboard Navy vessels or in shipyards.
18% were family members exposed indirectly through work clothing, home repairs, or shared environments.
7% traced exposure to non-industrial sources such as home renovation materials or cosmetic talc.
The average settlement time is just 11 months, aided by Danziger & De Llano’s AI-enhanced case tools that accelerate exposure tracing and communication.
See how Danziger & De Llano is shortening the path to justice.
Source: Danziger & De Llano LLP, 2025 Mesothelioma Veteran Exposure Report.
Why So Many U.S. Veterans Develop Mesothelioma
Decades of asbestos use across Navy ships, Army bases, and Air Force facilities left generations of service members uniquely vulnerable to mesothelioma. Both THE HIDDEN ENEMY: ASBESTOS’ LONG, DEADLY TOLL ON U.S. VETERANS” Cited, presented to the North Dakota Legislature, and Danziger & De Llano’s 2025 Veterans Exposure Report confirm that veterans account for nearly one-third of all mesothelioma deaths, despite representing only about 8 percent of the U.S. population.
Long before the government was made aware that asbestos was carcinogenic, the military administration used it heavily in the construction of ships, buildings, vehicles, and aircraft. There were many reasons for this, including the low cost and availability, but the most crucial reason for its use was its ability to resist heat and protect against fire. The irony is that the material the government relied upon to protect its service men and women on the battlefield ended up causing significant harm years after.
A landmark epidemiological analysis published in International Journal of Radiation Biology examined over 114,000 “atomic veterans” — U.S. service members involved in above-ground nuclear testing — and found a significantly elevated rate of mesothelioma mortality tied to asbestos exposure. The study reported a Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) of 1.56 overall, with the highest increases among Navy personnel (SMR 2.15) and specific jobs like machinist’s mates, boiler technicians, and pipe fitters (SMR 6.47) PubMed. Importantly, no significant increases were found for Army, Air Force, or Marine service members, reinforcing that shipboard asbestos exposure has been a primary driver behind mesothelioma risk in veteran populations PubMed.
“This large-scale government study reinforces what our clients have lived through for decades — that Navy and shipyard service carried one of the highest asbestos burdens in U.S. history,” said attorney Paul Danziger. “Scientific validation matters because it confirms veterans’ illnesses were preventable and deserving of full compensation.”
Why Veterans Are at Higher Risk
For decades, asbestos was used widely throughout the U.S. military — especially in the Navy — because of its heat resistance and low cost. Unfortunately, that same material became one of the leading causes of mesothelioma among service members. Veterans who served aboard ships, in shipyards, aircraft maintenance facilities, and vehicle repair units faced constant exposure to asbestos insulation, gaskets, brake pads, and pipe coverings.
Even those who never handled asbestos directly were often exposed in confined spaces below deck or during repairs, where dust particles lingered in the air. Many service members carried these fibers home on their uniforms, unintentionally exposing their families. Because mesothelioma can take 30 to 50 years to develop, thousands of veterans are only now being diagnosed.
At Danziger & De Llano, we believe every veteran deserves the full strength of the legal system behind them. That’s why we’ve spent more than 25 years building one of the deepest and most trusted networks of mesothelioma lawyers in the nation.
When you work with us, you don’t just get one law firm — you get two working for you, for the same cost as one. We call it “double coverage without double fees.” You pay nothing extra, but you gain a second layer of insight, investigation, and advocacy — ensuring your case gets the attention and experience it deserves.
Our firm has helped veterans from every branch of the armed forces win justice and financial security for their families. We know how to navigate the military’s complex asbestos exposure records and the legal systems of both VA benefits and civil asbestos litigation. Most importantly, we treat every veteran like family — because we know the courage it takes to serve, and the fight it takes to heal.
If you or a loved one served in the military and developed mesothelioma, you may have options for justice and support.
Legal Options and VA Benefits for Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for both:
VA Disability Benefits – Monthly payments and healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Legal Compensation – Lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims against manufacturers that supplied asbestos products to the military.
These two options are separate and can often be pursued at the same time.
Step-by-Step: How to File a VA Mesothelioma Claim
Obtain a confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis.
Gather service records (DD214, duty history, exposure details).
File VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation.
Submit medical and exposure evidence.
Attend a VA medical exam if requested.
Receive decision (typically 3–6 months).
Appeal if denied.
Common forms include:
VA Form 21-526EZ – Disability Compensation Application
VA Form 21-686c – Dependency Benefits for spouses/dependents
DD214 – Proof of military service
Example Timeline
Diagnosis confirmed → Week 0
Attorney consultation → Week 1–2
VA claim filed → Month 1
Initial VA decision → Month 3–6
Lawsuit/trust claims filed → Month 2–3
Resolution/compensation → Month 6–18
Recent Case Examples
Navy veteran, California (2022): $3.2M award against insulation manufacturer.
Army mechanic, Texas (2021): Combined VA disability with $1.4M in trust fund payouts.
Shipyard worker & veteran, Pennsylvania (2020): VA benefits plus private settlement totaling $2.8M.
(These examples highlight outcomes; individual results vary by case.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Veterans and Mesothelioma
1. Can I receive both VA benefits and compensation from a lawsuit?
Yes. Veterans can receive VA benefits and also pursue asbestos trust fund or lawsuit compensation at the same time. The VA program compensates veterans for their service-connected disability, while civil claims hold manufacturers accountable. These are separate systems, and winning one does not disqualify you from the other.
2. How do I know if my asbestos exposure happened during military service?
Asbestos was heavily used in military ships, bases, and vehicles until the late 1970s. If you worked aboard Navy ships, in shipyards, or in maintenance, repair, or construction roles, there’s a strong chance your exposure occurred during service. Our legal team can review your service records, duty stations, and job history to identify where and when exposure happened.
3. What VA benefits are available for veterans with mesothelioma?
The VA recognizes mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases as 100% disabling conditions. Veterans may qualify for:
Monthly Disability Compensation (up to $4,280.77 per month depending on dependents)
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses
Free VA Health Care at any VA facility
Special Monthly Compensation for housebound or bedridden veterans
Burial and survivor benefits for eligible families
4. How long does it take to receive compensation for a mesothelioma claim?
VA disability decisions typically take 3–6 months, while legal claims and asbestos trust fund cases may resolve within 6–18 months depending on the evidence and jurisdiction. With Danziger & De Llano’s AI-assisted case tools, many veteran claims are resolved in under a year.
5. What if my exposure came from washing a veteran’s clothes or home repairs?
You may still qualify for compensation. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure — when a family member unknowingly brings asbestos fibers home on clothing or tools. Our firm regularly represents spouses and children affected by this type of exposure.
6. How much money can veterans and families receive for mesothelioma?
Every case is unique, but most compensation comes from asbestos trust funds, settlements, and VA benefits. Settlements often reach hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on factors like the severity of illness, exposure source, and dependents. The VA provides ongoing monthly compensation based on disability ratings and family size.
7. Do I need to live near your office to work with Danziger & De Llano?
No. We represent veterans and families nationwide. Our attorneys handle all paperwork, evidence collection, and filings remotely, so you never need to travel. Free consultations are available by phone or video.
8. What documents do I need to start a mesothelioma claim?
It helps to have:
Military service records (DD214 or ship assignments)
Medical records confirming diagnosis
Work or duty history showing likely asbestos exposure
Any VA claim history, if already filed
Our team assists with collecting and organizing all documentation at no cost.
9. How can family members get help if a veteran has already passed away?
Surviving spouses, children, or dependents can file wrongful death claims and apply for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). These benefits recognize the veteran’s death as service-connected and provide monthly financial support and other benefits.
10. Why should veterans choose Danziger & De Llano?
Our firm has recovered billions for asbestos victims, including thousands of veterans and military families. With decades of experience and AI-powered case technology, we identify exposure sources quickly, coordinate VA and civil benefits, and fight to deliver justice as efficiently as possible.
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma in U.S. Military Veterans
Action for Veterans and Families
If you or a loved one served aboard a Navy vessel or worked in shipyards between the 1940s and 1980s, you may have been exposed to asbestos even without direct contact.
Danziger & De Llano offers a free review of your service history and claim options, using verified research — including the 2019 Atomic Veterans Study — to build stronger, faster cases for veterans nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes asbestos-related illnesses as service-connected conditions. Eligible veterans diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural effusion, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for multiple forms of support, including:
VA Health Care at any VA facility
Monthly Disability Compensation for service-connected diseases
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses and dependents
Burial benefits, access to clinical trials, and special monthly compensation for veterans who are bedridden, housebound, or unable to live independently
The VA has established mesothelioma as 100% disabling, providing monthly payments ranging from $3,737.85 for single veterans with no dependents to $4,280.77 for veterans with a spouse and two parents. Additional payments are made for each child.
Spouses of veterans who pass away from mesothelioma may receive $1,562.74 per month, plus increases for each dependent child.
At Danziger & De Llano, we coordinate both VA benefits and civil compensation claims, ensuring veterans and families receive every dollar and every benefit they’re entitled to.
A Navy machinist diagnosed in 2023 received full settlement in under a year.
A shipyard welder’s family won compensation 40 years after his service.
A Texas mother exposed through her husband’s uniforms secured justice for her children.
Contact our veterans’ team today to review your eligibility and begin the path toward justice and financial security.
Filing a VA Claim
There is significant paperwork required to obtain VA benefits. The government requires evidence of discharge from your military branch, a summary of your asbestos exposure, and evidence from medical professionals documenting that your service in the military led to the exposure that caused your illness. Danziger & De Llano can help you identify the source of your asbestos exposure and connect you with lawyers or claim agents accredited by the VA to help veterans with this confusing, labor-intensive process.
We can also help you determine whether you are eligible to seek additional compensation from the companies that supplied asbestos materials to the military. You may be eligible to file a claim with one or more of the Asbestos Trust Funds or to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against those companies that still exist and whose products you were exposed to during your service.
Navy Veterans: The Highest Risk Group
Out of all U.S. military branches, Navy veterans face the highest rate of mesothelioma. For decades, asbestos was a key material in the construction of Navy vessels — prized for its insulation and fire resistance but deadly when inhaled.
From battleships and destroyers to aircraft carriers and submarines, nearly every ship built in the 20th century contained asbestos. Sailors were surrounded by it — in boiler and engine rooms, piping systems, valves, pumps, and gaskets. Poor ventilation meant that every breath could carry invisible, toxic fibers.
Veterans recall clouds of asbestos dust filling the air after the ship’s guns fired — drifting into living quarters and mess halls, where exposure continued daily.
High-Risk Navy Occupations
Those most at risk were sailors and shipyard workers who worked closest to contaminated machinery and insulation, including:
Boiler tenders
Machinists and electricians
Pipefitters and welders
Damage controlmen and gunner’s mates
Firefighters and maintenance technicians
Laggers and pump workers
Even shipyard workers — both military and civilian — faced constant danger while building or repairing ships, handling asbestos-laden materials such as:
Insulation and fireproof textiles
Adhesives and paints
Flooring and ceiling tiles
Safety gear and gaskets
Electric cables and heat paneling
Many Navy veterans continued similar work after leaving service, compounding their asbestos exposure for years without realizing the risk.
Army Veterans: Exposure in Vehicles, Housing, and Engineering
Members of the U.S. Army faced asbestos exposure in vehicles, aircraft, and base housing. Mechanics, electricians, and welders were frequently exposed while repairing brakes, gaskets, and engines.
Asbestos wasn’t limited to machinery — it was found throughout Army barracks and offices, hidden in flooring, insulation, ceiling tiles, and drywall. Soldiers in the Army Corps of Engineers, or anyone who handled construction, demolition, or pipefitting, were especially vulnerable.
Even those who never entered a combat zone could still be exposed daily, unknowingly carrying microscopic asbestos fibers on their clothing and gear.
Marine Corps Veterans: Exposure Across Land, Sea, and Air
Before the 1980s, Marine Corps veterans encountered asbestos in nearly every environment — from ships and vehicles to aircraft and base housing.
Shipboard walls, bedding, and protective gear were often made with asbestos for fire safety.
Tanks and armored vehicles used asbestos insulation and brake pads.
Shipyard repair work and construction brought additional, intense exposure.
Bases themselves were dangerous: the Yuma Marine Corps Air Station was so contaminated that it became a Superfund cleanup site. Other high-risk bases included Camp Pendleton and El Toro Air Station.
For many Marines, exposure was inescapable — woven into the materials meant to protect them.
Air Force Veterans: The Hidden Danger in Aircraft
For Air Force veterans, asbestos was a hidden but constant presence. From the 1940s through the 1970s, military aircraft were built with asbestos to withstand heat, fire, and corrosion.
Unfortunately, when aircraft were repaired or maintained, fibers were released into the air, putting mechanics, electricians, and ground crews in danger.
Those who worked on brakes, engines, or electrical systems were particularly at risk. Many Airmen now face mesothelioma diagnoses decades after their service — the result of exposure they never saw coming.
Coast Guard Veterans: Small Crews, Big Exposure
Like the Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials to protect ships and crew from fire and heat.
From engine rooms to boiler systems, asbestos was everywhere — lining pipes, ducts, and turbines. Even ropes, safety gloves, and fireproof coatings contained the deadly mineral.
Many Coast Guard shipyards were eventually shut down by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for asbestos contamination.
Those who served in boiler rooms, shipyards, or during renovation and demolition projects carry some of the highest risks for asbestos-related diseases.
The Lasting Impact on Military Families
or too many veterans, the battle didn’t end when they left the service. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop, meaning countless heroes were diagnosed long after their military careers ended.
Behind every diagnosis is a family — spouses, children, and friends who watched their loved one fight a silent, preventable enemy.
Key Takeaways
Navy veterans have the highest mesothelioma rates due to shipboard asbestos.
Army and Marine veterans faced exposure through vehicles, barracks, and construction.
Air Force and Coast Guard veterans encountered asbestos in aircraft and ships.
Shipyard and maintenance work created the most dangerous conditions across all branches.
But there is help. Legal compensation, VA benefits, and medical treatment options are available for those exposed to asbestos during military service. Veterans deserve recognition — and justice — for the sacrifices they made.
Assistance for Veterans with Mesothelioma
Danziger & De Llano has launched a AI-assisted evidence systems to trace asbestos exposure faster, identify manufacturers responsible for contamination, and match service records to historical shipyard data. This technology reduces average case resolution time to about 11 months, helping families receive compensation sooner.
If you are a military veteran and you have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or any other asbestos-related disease, the attorneys at Danziger & De Llano Mesothelioma law firm are here to help you get the justice and respect that you deserve. For assistance filing a claim with the VA and to learn about other options available, contact us today.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is unique. For legal guidance, please consult one of our licensed attorney team experienced in asbestos and mesothelioma litigation.