Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma is a painful disease that is often affecting veterans who served in the United States Army. They may be qualified for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Veterans of the Army were exposed to asbestos in barracks, vehicles, and aircraft. They could also have been exposed to asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.
Symptoms
There are a myriad of symptoms mesothelioma patients might experience. Patients should keep track of symptoms and notify their physicians if they notice any changes.
The majority of mesothelioma symptoms are the presence of fluid and pain either in the chest or abdomen. Some patients also suffer from fatigue, cough and a loss of appetite. Some of these symptoms are similar to those experienced with other diseases, therefore some veterans may not be able to associate mesothelioma for the first time. Certain symptoms may show up later, depending on the degree of asbestos exposure. Exposure to asbestos at a high level typically result in symptoms appearing faster than exposure at low levels. Mesothelioma symptoms may also change as the disease grows and spreads to other areas of the body, a process referred as metastasis.
Asbestos occurs naturally. It is a durable and heat-resistant material used in many military vehicles and construction materials. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the main treatment for mesothelioma. Inhaling or ingestion of asbestos particles can lead to mesothelioma. Asbestos is linked to lung cancer and other medical diseases.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are mild to severe, and it can affect the lungs and abdomen as well as joints and the heart. Most asbestos-related diseases take between 10 and 50 years to develop.
Many veterans who served in the Army were exposed to asbestos in different ways. They could have worked at bases for military personnel or in factories that made asbestos-containing equipment and on Navy ships where asbestos was extensively used. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the areas of milling, piping, and shipyard work, as well insulation, demolition of old buildings, carpentry and insulation are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma.
mesothelioma compensation after death have breathing difficulties and chest pain in the early stages. A pleural effusion can develop, which is an accumulation of fluid within the pleura, which is the lining of the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions restrict the lungs' ability to expand when breathing. Patients with mesothelioma typically have pleural swelling and inflammation.
As mesothelioma progresses, affected patients will notice these symptoms become worse. Patients may suffer from fatigue, fever and loss in appetite. Certain mesothelioma patients develop blood clots that can be harmful to their health. Dysphagia is a disorder that can cause patients to experience difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer diagnosed with mesothelioma is likely to require certain tests and receiving an examination. To avoid a misdiagnosis asbestos victims should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. Misdiagnoses can keep patients from receiving the correct treatment and could give the disease more time to spread.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will order a imaging test to detect any masses in the abdomen or chest. This could be a CT scan or MRI. The next step is to collect fluid or tissue samples for analysis under a microscopy. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that mesothelioma is the diagnosis.
The doctor will determine if the sample is a pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal me and help them determine the best treatment for the patient. The biopsy will also help doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma cell, which could have an impact on the patient's outlook.
The most commonly used type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It grows more slowly than other cancerous cells, making it less difficult to treat. This type may also be found in the lungs, but is usually less severe than pleural mesothelioma.
A specialist will determine the most effective treatment options are for the patient following the biopsy results have been gathered. The doctor will also determine the prognosis, determined by the mesothelioma type and the rate at which it is growing.
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma with a military history of asbestos exposure could be entitled to compensation. Contact a VA-accredited claim representative to find out if you are eligible for benefits if you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma malign a person has and its stage will determine the treatment options. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can use VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or open surgery to remove part of tissue that lines the chest wall and lungs. A tube can be placed in the chest to drain fluid around the lungs several times per week.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma can be treated in a similar way to pleural Mesothelioma but with less extensive procedure. The diaphragm and peritoneum as well as other abdominal parts can be removed during surgery. After surgery, patients suffering from mesothelioma are able to receive radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate any cancerous cells that remain.
Some patients with mesothelioma might not qualify for surgery, even if their doctors believe they could be treated surgically. In these cases medical experts may recommend palliative care to ease symptoms such as fatigue, pain and sleeplessness.
After treatment, mesothelioma can recur. Cancer can return in the same spot in which it first appeared or spread to another part of the body. In the event of recurrence, it can be more difficult to treat mesothelioma.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is known for its strength and resistance to heat. It was utilized in many Army construction projects, such as insulation and for vehicles. When asbestos fibers are disturbed they can become airborne and inhaling them could lead to a number of serious health problems.
The VA recognizes mesothelioma to be a service-connected illness, and veterans are eligible for financial assistance to cover their treatment. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist veterans in obtaining the disability benefits they deserve.
Financial Assistance
The cost of mesothelioma treatments can be expensive. However, veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to receive financial aid. Veterans are eligible for compensation in the form of settlements or disability benefits from mesothelioma suit. These compensation programs can assist veterans with their medical costs as well as daily living expenses.
Asbestos lawyers can assist veterans get the compensation they are due for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. An experienced lawyer can assist veterans in filing a mesothelioma claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs or filing an injury claim or wrongful death suit against the companies that are responsible for their asbestos exposure.
In most cases, mesothelioma sufferers and their surviving loved ones can receive compensation from the VA since mesothelioma is a service-connected illness. The type of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to be experienced by Navy veterans who have worked in shipyards as opposed to Army veterans.
If mesothelioma is confirmed, the patient can apply for a monthly disability compensation payout through the VA. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of disability resulting from mesothelioma. The VA also covers funeral and burial expenses for those who die from mesothelioma.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases, are also able to seek compensation through asbestos trust funds and the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma case can result in an award that is substantial for the victims and their families.
Many non-profit organizations provide grants for mesothelioma cancer patients to cover the cost of housing, travel, and other expenses related to their treatment. Mesothelioma patients as well as their surviving family members are eligible to apply for these grants to help cover medical expenses and ease financial stress.
Mesothelioma victims and their families are faced with a myriad of financial difficulties due to the expense of mesothelioma treatments. Compensation from various sources could help them pay for these costs. Compensation from the VA mesothelioma fund, the VA and personal injury or wrongful-death settlements against asbestos-related companies can be included. A lawyer can help mesothelioma patients as well as their family in pursuing compensation to cover their medical costs.