Speak “Yes” To These 5 Va Compensation For Asbestos Exposure Tips
VA Compensation For Asbestos Illnesses The Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability compensation for illnesses that are the result of exposure to asbestos in the military. A veteran can apply online, via mail or in person. To be eligible to receive compensation, a vet must prove a link between their disease or illness and their service in the military. The VA lists asbestos-related illnesses such as pleural disease, Mesothelioma and lung cancer. Eligibility Asbestos fibers can cause various health issues for veterans, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and plaques on the pleural region. These illnesses can result in costly medical bills, a lower quality of life, and eventually death. Compensation is available to assist in paying these costs. The VA has a system in place to determine who is eligible for these benefits. To be eligible to receive these benefits, a veteran has to be discharged with honorable distinction and have been exposed to asbestos in the military. The VA evaluates eligibility based on medical documents and the doctor's recommendation. The VA might require that, in addition to evaluating the symptoms, a veteran undergo tests such as chest x-rays or cat scans. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather all the required information needed to submit a claim. They will know which documents to request from the medical professionals and the military, and how to gather evidence, like asbestos industry records and cutting-edge research. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get disability compensation, the principal VA benefit. It is an annual tax-free benefit given to veterans with mesothelioma or other conditions caused by their service in the military. The amount of benefits is determined by the severity of the illness and how long the person was exposed to asbestos in the military. Veterans who have been diagnosed as having other asbestos-related ailments, such as asbestosis and lung cancer are also qualified for benefits. The VA also offers Dependency and Indemnity Compensation to the surviving family members of veterans who passed through mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness. Pre-existing conditions While the VA has established methods of compensation for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, it's difficult to get them approved. The first step is to establish your diagnosis, which usually requires medical documentation that confirms the condition and proves that it was caused by asbestos-related service exposure. The VA also requires a written exposure history detailing how and when you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the military, including details about specific bases and ships, as well as other places where you worked. Many veterans have already received compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses through lawsuits against liable companies. These companies, now bankrupted due to asbestos lawsuits filed by victims, have set up trust funds for families of veterans and their loved ones. Atlanta asbestos lawsuit were once among the top employers of those with high risk of asbestos exposure. If a diagnosis is confirmed once a diagnosis is confirmed, the VA will give an impairment rating based on the severity of the condition and how it has affected your daily life. People with mesothelioma or lung cancer or asbestosis may receive compensation up to 100%, based on their medical condition. Patients with non-cancerous symptoms such as fibrosis, or lymphatic effusions in the pleural space, are generally given lower scores. It is crucial to apply for benefits as soon as you can if you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. You can do so via the internet, mail or in person. It is a good plan to contact an accredited representative in your area who can help you fill out the VA EZ benefits forms and submit a “intent to apply” form that sets the date when you will start receiving payments. An attorney for mesothelioma can help you pursue compensation through other means, such as an individual injury lawsuit against asbestos producers and their insurers. Symptoms Aside from a tax-free monetary payout veterans with an asbestos-related illness can receive medical treatment and other services at VA hospitals. These include tests and treatments, medications, and prescriptions. Additionally, veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness can be eligible for disability compensation. Asbestos is a hazardous material that can trigger a range of symptoms. Most commonly, they experience fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. It can take years to recognize and a long time for the first symptoms of exposure to show. This can lead to higher healthcare bills as well as a lack of work, and a lower quality of life. Depending on the severity of the illness, the VA may give veterans a percentage of their total disability. This is based on the Disability Rate Chart from the VA and varies depending on the severity of the condition. For instance, a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and who has an 100% disability rating can receive up to $2,400 a month. In many cases, VA does not require veterans to prove that their mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses were caused by military service. The VA has a list of presumptive illnesses that are thought to be caused by military service. This includes lung cancer and asbestosis. Navy veterans are most at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease because the material was commonly used in their ships as well as shipyards, on-base housing and shipyards. But veterans from the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps who worked in similar jobs have also been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period, so it's essential for veterans to see their physicians and discuss their experiences in the workplace. Treatment Veterans who are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are eligible for a variety of benefits through the VA. The VA offers a wide range of benefits that include disability compensation, free healthcare, and geriatric assistance. A lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma cases will help to collect evidence and submit a claim. The lawyer can also help them appeal a denied claim. Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally used in shipyards and aircraft bases as well as in vehicle repair facilities. The material was exposed to military personnel on a daily bases, and particularly Navy personnel working on naval vessels and in shipyards. The Navy was one of the biggest asbestos users, however, members from all branches of the military were at risk. Veterans suffering from asbestos-related diseases could be qualified for a monthly income to assist them in paying for their treatment. To be eligible for this type of compensation, a vet must prove that their condition is due to their military service. This means submitting evidence of the veteran's employment background, asbestos exposure and symptoms that have developed due to the exposure. The most commonly reported asbestos-related diseases are mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Asbestosis is a non-cancerous illness that is classified by the VA at up to 100 percent, which means veterans are eligible for the highest monthly payment. Mesothelioma and other cancers are classified higher based on severity. A lawyer who specializes on asbestos claims will make sure that all relevant evidence is provided to the VA or asbestos trust funds, or other liable companies. They may also file a lawsuit against these companies. This has been successful in a variety of cases. They can also get records from hospitals and medical professionals. Appeals Veterans with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may get compensation. They can also receive benefits for healthcare and a higher disability rating, and other support. It is important for veterans to file a claim with the VA as soon as they can to get the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. To be able to make a successful VA asbestos compensation claim, veterans must present military service records as well as an asbestos exposure summary written in writing. The summary should include information about the veteran's exposure to asbestos, including the location, when and how. It should also mention the specific duties and responsibilities they had on vessels and bases of the military. Veterans must prove that they were exposed to asbestos at minimum 50% of the time in the military due to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, in order to be considered to be connected to service. Veterans must also submit medical and military documents to prove that exposure to asbestos is the reason for their illness or condition. The VA only provides compensation for a diagnosis of a condition linked to asbestos. This includes mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. It does not provide compensation for urogenital illnesses such as prostate and bladder cancer. An experienced asbestos lawyer can assist veterans with their claims. They can help with medical documents and military records as well as gather additional proof by accessing databases. They can also make sure that the proper documents are filed and deadlines are met. They will ensure the highest amount of compensation for their clients. They may also appeal if VA rejects a veteran's claim. In certain cases this could involve an appeal to a Veterans Law Judge.