Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma can be a painful illness that affects many veterans of the United States Army. The servicemen could be qualified for compensation through asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Veterans of the Army were exposed asbestos in barracks, vehicles and aircraft. They could also have been exposed to asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma patients suffer from a variety of symptoms. Patients should keep track of their symptoms and notify their physicians if they notice any changes.
The majority of mesothelioma symptoms involve pain and fluid buildup, either in the chest or abdomen. Some patients also suffer from fatigue, cough and an inability to eat. Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for those of other illnesses. Therefore some veterans may not be aware of them initially. Based on the level of asbestos exposure, some symptoms are more apparent than others. The high levels of asbestos exposure often cause symptoms to manifest quicker than exposure to low levels. Mesothelioma symptoms may also change as the disease grows and spreads to other parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It is a tough, heat-resistant material that is employed in a variety of military vehicles and construction materials. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the most common method used to treat mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos particles or ingestion of them can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a variety of medical diseases, including lung cancer.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can range from mild to extremely severe and affect the abdomen, lungs and the heart as well as joints. The majority of asbestos-related illnesses take between 10 and fifty years to develop.
Asbest was employed in many ways by veterans of the Army. They may have worked on military bases and in factories that manufactured asbestos-containing equipment and on Navy vessels where asbestos was extensively used. Veterans who worked in piping, milling and shipyard work, insulation demolition of older buildings and carpentry on Navy vessels are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma.
The majority of patients with pleural Mesothelioma experience chest pain and breathing difficulties in the beginning stages. Pleural effusions can occur and is an accumulation of fluid in the pleura that lines the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions may limit the lungs' capacity to expand when breathing. Patients with mesothelioma army compensation (
morrow-velling.mdwrite.net) often experience inflammation and pleural thickness.
As the mesothelioma advances, these symptoms will get more severe. Patients may suffer from fatigue, fever or decrease in appetite. Some mesothelioma patients develop blood clots, which can be harmful to their health. Patients may also have a hard time swallowing, a condition that is known as dysphagia.
Diagnosis
As asbestos is the cause of mesothelioma the diagnosis will most likely include a biopsy and certain tests. Asbestos victims should seek out a mesothelioma specialist to conduct the tests to avoid a misdiagnosis. Incorrect diagnosis can prevent patients from receiving the appropriate treatment and could give the disease a longer time to spread.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they'll order an imaging test to look for tumors in the chest or abdomen. This could be an CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take a tissue or fluid sample to be examined under microscope. A biopsy is the most conclusive way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnoses.
When a doctor has a sample to examine to determine if it is peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma. This will help them determine the best treatment for the patient. The biopsy will also help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma cells which can affect the prognosis of the patient.
The most commonly used form of mesothelioma epithelioid is the most prevalent. It is a slower-growing type than other cancerous cells, which makes it less difficult to treat. It can also occur in the lungs, but is typically less serious than pleural mesothelioma.
When the results of the biopsy come in, a specialist will determine the most appropriate treatment options for the patient. The doctor will also establish the prognosis, determined by the mesothelioma type and the speed at which it is growing.
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma with a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation. Contact a VA-accredited claims representative to find out if they qualify for benefits if you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Treatment
The type of malignant mesothelioma a person has and the stage it is determined by the treatment options. Patients with pleural msothelioma may undergo surgery to alleviate breathing problems due to the accumulation of fluid within the chest cavity. The surgeon might use VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or open surgery to remove part of the lining of the chest wall and lung. A tube is placed into the chest to drain the fluid around the lungs several times a week.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be treated similarly to pleural mesothelioma but with less extensive surgery. The diaphragm and peritoneum as well as other abdominal parts can be removed during surgery. Mesothelioma patients can undergo chemotherapy and radiation following surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.
Some people with mesothelioma do not qualify for surgery, even if doctors believe they can be treated surgically. In these situations doctors may suggest palliative treatment to relieve symptoms like fatigue and sleeplessness.
Mesothelioma can recur after treatment. The cancer may recur in the same spot from which it started or spread to other regions of the body. If it recurs, it could be more difficult to treat the mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally is well-known for its toughness and resistance to heat. It was used in a variety of Army construction projects, such as insulation and for vehicles. Asbestos fibers can be airborne when disturbed and can cause serious health complications when inhaled.
Veterans can receive financial aid to pay for treatment when the VA recognizes that mesothelioma is an illness that is linked to service. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans in obtaining the disability benefits that they deserve.
Financial Assistance
The cost of mesothelioma-related treatments can be expensive. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for
Mesothelioma army Compensation financial assistance. Veterans can receive compensation in form of disability benefits or settlements from
mesothelioma compensation payouts suit. Compensation from these sources can help veterans pay their medical expenses in addition to the cost of living.
Asbestos lawyers can assist veterans get the compensation they are due for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist the veteran to file a mesothelioma suit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against companies that are responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
The majority of mesothelioma patients as well as their families members who survive are eligible for compensation through the VA because mesothelioma is been classified as a service-connected disease. The type of asbestos exposure determines the eligibility. For example, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards may have an increased risk of being exposed to asbestos than Army veterans.
The VA will pay a veteran a monthly disability benefit if a mesothelioma is confirmed. The amount of compensation will depend on the level of disability resulting from mesothelioma.
