Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma can be a painful condition that affects a large number of veterans of the United States Army. The servicemen could be qualified for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Asbestos was discovered in barracks and vehicles, and also in aircraft. They may be exposed to the asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.
Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms mesothelioma patients can suffer from. They differ based on the stage and type of mesothelioma. Patients should keep track of their symptoms and notify any changes to their doctor.
Most mesothelioma patients suffer from pain and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen. Patients may also experience fatigue, a cough and a loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms are similar to those associated with other diseases, therefore some veterans may not be able to associate them with mesothelioma at first. Some symptoms may appear later, depending on the degree of asbestos exposure. High levels of asbestos exposure usually cause symptoms to manifest faster than exposure at low levels. As the disease progresses, the symptoms of mesothelioma can change. This is known as metastasis.
Asbestos is a natural component. It is a tough and heat-resistant material employed in a variety of military vehicles and construction materials. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the most common treatment for mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos particles or ingestion of them can lead to mesothelioma. Asbestos has been linked with lung cancer and other medical diseases.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can range from mild to severe, and can affect the abdomen, lungs and heart, as well as joints. In most cases, asbestos-related illnesses take between 10 and 50 years to develop.
Many veterans who were in the Army were exposed to asbestos in various ways. They could have worked on bases for military and in factories that manufactured asbestos-containing equipment and on Navy ships where asbestos was used extensively. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the fields of piping, milling, and shipyard work, as well as demolition, insulation and old buildings, carpentry and insulation are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma.
The majority of patients with pleural Mesothelioma are afflicted with breathing problems and chest pain in the beginning stages. A pleural effusion may occur as an accumulation of fluid within the pleura that lines the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions can limit the lungs' ability to expand when breathing. Patients with mesothelioma often have pleural swelling and inflammation.
As mesothelioma progresses it will cause symptoms to get more severe. Patients may suffer from fatigue, fever and decrease in appetite. Certain mesothelioma patients develop blood clots that can be harmful to their health. Patients can also experience difficulty swallowing, which is known as dysphagia.
Diagnosis
As asbestos is the mesothelioma-related cause, a diagnosis will most likely include a biopsy and certain tests. To avoid misdiagnosis, asbestos victims should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. Incorrect diagnosis can prevent patients from receiving the right treatment, and may cause the disease to spread quickly.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will request an imaging test to detect any lumps in the abdomen or chest. This could be an CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take samples of fluid or tissue to be examined under microscope. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that mesothelioma is the diagnosis.
The doctor will then determine if the sample is a pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal me, which will help them determine the best treatment option for the patient. The biopsy can also help doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma cell, which could affect the prognosis of the patient.
The most common type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. It develops more slowly than other cancerous cells, which makes it easier for doctors to treat. average compensation for mesothelioma claim can also occur in the lungs, however it is generally less severe than pleural mesothelioma.
A specialist will decide what the most effective treatment options are for the patient once the results of a biopsy have been gathered. The doctor will also decide the prognosis based on type of mesothelioma and the rate that it is growing.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, who have an background of asbestos exposure during the military, could be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos during their time in the United States Armed Forces should contact a VA-accredited claims agent to determine if they are eligible for.
Treatment
The type of mesothelioma malign a person has and the stage it is determined by the treatment options. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma can undergo surgery to relieve breathlessness due to the accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity. The surgeon can perform VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or open surgery to remove a portion of the that lining the chest wall and lungs. A tube is placed into the chest to drain the fluid around lungs several times a week.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is treated similarly to pleural mesothelioma, however with less extensive surgery. The diaphragm and peritoneum as well as other abdominal parts can be removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients may undergo chemotherapy and radiation following surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.
Some patients with mesothelioma might not meet the criteria for surgery, even if doctors believe they could be treated surgically. In these cases medical experts may recommend palliative treatment to ease symptoms like fatigue, pain and sleeplessness.
After treatment, mesothelioma can be recurred. Cancer may return to the same place where it began or spread to a different part of the body. After recurrence, it may be more difficult to treat the mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is renowned for its strength and heat resistance. It was used in a variety of Army construction projects, such as insulation and vehicles. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they can become airborne and inhaling them could lead to a number of serious health problems.
Veterans are eligible for financial aid to cover treatment if the VA recognizes mesothelioma as an illness that is linked to service. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans obtain the disability benefits they need.
Financial Assistance
The mesothelioma treatment process may be financially demanding. Veterans who have been diagnosed as having mesothelioma may be eligible for financial aid. Compensation programs available to veterans include disability benefits and mesothelioma settlements for lawsuits. The compensation offered by these programs can assist veterans in paying their medical expenses as well as daily living costs.
Asbestos lawyers can aid veterans get the compensation they are due for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist a veteran to file a mesothelioma suit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or make a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against companies that are accountable for their asbestos exposure.
In the majority of cases, mesothelioma sufferers and their surviving loved ones are eligible for compensation from the VA since mesothelioma is a condition that is linked to a service. The kind of exposure to asbestos determines the eligibility. For example, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards may have an increased risk of exposure to asbestos than Army veterans.
The VA will pay a veteran an annual disability payment when mesothelioma has been confirmed. The amount of compensation depends on the severity of disability resulting from mesothelioma. In addition the VA will pay for funeral and burial costs for those who pass away from mesothelioma.
Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, can also be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds and the manufacturers responsible for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma suit can result in an award that is substantial for victims and their family members.
Many nonprofit organizations offer grants to mesothelioma cancer patients to pay for the cost of housing, travel and other expenses that are associated with their cancer treatment. Mesothelioma patients as well as their surviving family members are eligible to apply for these grants to cover medical expenses and reduce financial stress.
Mesothelioma patients and their families face a variety of financial challenges due to the cost of mesothelioma treatments. Compensation from various sources could help pay for these costs. Compensation from the VA mesothelioma fund, the VA and personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit settlements against asbestos-related companies can be included. A lawyer can help mesothelioma patients and their family members pursue compensation to cover their medical expenses.