Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma is a painful condition that can affect veterans who served in the United States Army. The servicemen could be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Army veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, vehicles, and aircraft. They may also have been exposed to asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.
Signs and symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms mesothelioma patients can be afflicted with. Patients should keep track of their symptoms and notify their doctors if they change.
Most mesothelioma patients suffer from pain and swelling in the chest or abdomen. Some patients may also suffer from fatigue, coughing and loss of appetite. Certain of these symptoms could be misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses. Therefore, some veterans may not be able to recognize them initially. Depending on the asbestos exposure, certain symptoms are more apparent than others. Symptoms can appear more quickly when asbestos exposure is high. Mesothelioma symptoms may also change as the disease progresses and spreads to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is strong, heat-resistant and is used in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Asbestos fibers are able to become airborne and inhalation is a primary method of mesothelioma exposure. Mesothelioma as well as peritoneal mesothelio the pleural mesothelioma result from inhaling or ingestion of asbestos particles in microscopic sizes. Asbestos is linked to lung cancer as well as other medical conditions.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from mild to severe, and can affect the lungs, abdomen and the heart as well as joints. The majority of asbestos-related diseases can take between 10 and fifty years to develop.
Asbest was utilized in a variety of ways by veterans of the Army. They could have worked in factories that produced asbestos containing equipment or on Navy ships where asbestos was widely used. Veterans who worked in piping, milling and shipyard work insulation, demolition of older buildings and carpentry on Navy vessels are at greater risk for developing mesothelioma.
In the early stages, most pleural mesothelioma patients have chest pain and trouble breathing. Pleural effusions can occur, which is an accumulation of fluid inside the pleura, which is the lining of the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions limit the ability of the lungs to expand during breathing. Inflammation and thickening of the pleura are also common in mesothelioma patients.
As mesothelioma worsens, affected patients will notice their symptoms becoming worse. They may experience a loss in appetite, fatigue, or fever. Some mesothelioma sufferers develop blood clots that could be dangerous for their health. Dysphagia is a condition that can cause patients to experience difficulty swallowing.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related tumor and a mesothelioma diagnosis is likely to require certain tests and a biopsy. To avoid misdiagnosis, asbestos victims should have mesothelioma specialists perform the tests. Misdiagnosis can prevent patients from receiving the appropriate treatment and could allow the disease to spread more quickly.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they will request an imaging test to detect any tumors in the abdomen or chest. This can include the use of a CT scan, an MRI or an X-ray. The next step is to collect tissue or fluid samples for analysis under a microscopy. A biopsy is the most reliable method to confirm mesothelioma diagnoses.
The doctor will then determine if the sample is peritoneal mesothelioma or pleural and help them determine the best treatment option for the patient. The biopsy can also help doctors determine the mesothelioma cells type, which can impact the prognosis.
The most commonly used type of mesothelioma is epithelioid. This type grows more slowly than other cancerous cells, making it easier for doctors to treat. This type can also occur in the lungs, however it is usually less severe than pleural mesothelioma.
A specialist will determine the best treatment options are for the patient after the biopsy results have been obtained. The doctor will also determine a prognosis on the basis of the mesothelioma type as well as the rate that it is growing.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma who have had a history of asbestos exposure in the military, could be eligible to receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact a VA-accredited claims rep to find out if you can be eligible for benefits if were exposed to asbestos while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Treatment
Treatment options are determined by the type and stage of malignant mesothelioma. People with pleural mesothelioma often undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness due to the build-up of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can use VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgery) or open surgery in order to remove part of tissue that lines the chest wall and lungs. mesothelioma compensation amounts could be inserted into the chest to drain fluid around the lungs a few times each week.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma is treated in a similar way as pleural mesothelioma, however with less invasive surgery. The diaphragm, peritoneum and other abdominal organs can be removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients are able to receive chemotherapy and radiation after surgery to kill cancer cells that remain.
Certain patients with mesothelioma may not meet the criteria for surgery, even if their doctors believe they could be treated surgically. In these cases doctors may recommend palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms such as fatigue and insomnia.
Mesothelioma may recur after treatment. The cancer can come back in the same place where it began or spread to other areas of the body. After recurrence, it may be more difficult to treat the mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its strength and resistance to heat. It was used in a variety of Army construction projects, including insulation and vehicles. Asbestos fibers can be airborne when disturbed and could cause serious health complications if inhaled.
Veterans can receive financial aid to pay for treatment if the VA recognizes that mesothelioma is a condition that is related to service. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help veterans obtain the disability benefits they deserve.
Financial Assistance
The treatment for mesothelioma can be financially demanding. However those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can receive financial assistance. Compensation programs for veterans include disability benefits and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements. The compensation offered by these programs can help veterans pay their medical expenses and also the cost of living.
Asbestos lawyers can help veterans get the compensation they deserve for their asbestos exposure as well as mesothelioma. An experienced lawyer can help veterans in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit with the Department of Veterans Affairs or filing an injury-related or wrongful death lawsuit against the companies that are responsible for their asbestos exposure.
The majority of mesothelioma patients as well as their survivors are eligible for compensation through the VA because mesothelioma is been classified as a condition that is a result of a service. The kind of exposure to asbestos determines the eligibility. For instance, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards may have a higher risk of exposure to asbestos than Army veterans.
The VA will provide a veteran with an annual disability payment in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The amount of compensation is contingent on the severity of disability caused by mesothelioma. The VA also compensates for funeral and burial costs for those who have passed away from mesothelioma.
Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases can also seek compensation through asbestos trust funds and the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma lawsuit can result in an award that is substantial for the victims and their family members.
Numerous non-profit organizations provide grants to mesothelioma patients to cover travel, housing and other expenses associated with their cancer treatments. Mesothelioma patients and survivors of their family members are eligible to apply for these grants to help pay for medical expenses and reduce the financial strain.
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 funds and personal injury or wrongful-death settlements against asbestos-related businesses can be included. Lawyers can aid mesothelioma patients and their family members in pursuing compensation to cover their medical costs.