Air Force Veterans and Mesothelioma

Many Air Force veterans were exposed to asbestos while working on aircraft or on-base facilities, putting them at risk for serious illness. Asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for VA benefits and can pursue compensation with legal support.

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How Air Force Veterans Were Exposed to Asbestos

Air Force veterans were exposed to asbestos in building materials and equipment during construction, installation and maintenance work. The Air Force widely used asbestos products in aircraft and base operations. The mineral was often used for insulation, fireproofing and heat resistance in aircraft components, maintenance facilities and older base buildings, especially from the 1930s through the 1980s.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure

• Aircraft components: Asbestos was used in aircraft insulation, wiring, brakes and engine components.
• Base housing and facilities: Asbestos was a common material in base buildings, housing, offices, and other facilities in the form of insulation materials, floors and ceilings.
• Hangars: Working in hangars could have exposed Air Force personnel to asbestos-containing materials used in building structures and equipment.
• Maintenance shops: Routine maintenance and repair work may have involved handling asbestos-containing materials used in aircraft systems.
• Secondary exposure: Fibers could be carried on uniforms, skin or hair, exposing others outside of direct work environments.

When disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, these microscopic toxic fibers can get stuck in tissues causing irritation over decades that can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma. Even short-term exposure could lead to illnesses later in life. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Older planes, equipment and bases may still contain legacy asbestos. Air Force personnel can still be exposed to asbestos today. When Air Force personnel are deployed overseas, they can be exposed to asbestos when older buildings are damaged or disturbed during military operations.

Higher-Risk Occupations for Air Force Veterans

Some Air Force occupations involved more frequent or intense contact with asbestos. Jobs that required working directly with aircraft components, building materials or equipment placed Airmen in close proximity to asbestos products, often in poorly ventilated environments.

Jobs With Higher Exposure Risk

• Aircraft electricians: Worked with electrical systems and components that often included asbestos insulation and wiring materials.
• Aircraft mechanics: Worked on aircraft maintenance or made repairs on aircraft parts that included asbestos products like brakes, engines, and insulation.
• Boiler workers: Handled or worked near boilers that used asbestos for insulation and heat resistance.
• Construction workers: Worked with building materials that contained asbestos, especially in older structures on base.
• Environmental support specialists: Handled hazardous materials and worked in contaminated environments.
• Firefighters: Responded to fires involving older structures and aircraft, where asbestos materials were burned and damaged, releasing fibers into the air.
• Vehicle mechanics: Maintained vehicles with asbestos-containing brakes, clutches and engine components.
• Welders: Worked in high-heat environments where asbestos materials were used for insulation and fireproofing.

One of the roles that placed Airmen at especially high risk of asbestos exposure was firefighting. Not only did the firemen respond to fires involving older buildings and aircraft where asbestos-containing materials could be disturbed and released into the air, but their personal protective gear often was made with asbestos.

These Air Force veterans in high-risk roles faced a greater chance of repeated or prolonged exposure to asbestos. Even without symptoms, Airmen with known or possible exposure should discuss their history with a doctor. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop, sometimes appearing 20 to 60 years after initial exposure. 

Diseases Linked to Air Force Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure is linked to serious diseases, many of which can take decades to develop after initial exposure. Asbestos fibers in the body cause irritation. This can cause scarring that leads to chronic conditions like asbestosis. It can also cause DNA mutations that lead to cancer.

Asbestos-Related Diseases

• Asbestosis: A long-term lung condition that leads to scarring
• Laryngeal cancer: A cancer of the larynx, or voice box
• Lung cancer: Cancer that forms in lung tissue
• Mesothelioma: An aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelium or lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart 
• Ovarian cancer: A form of cancer affecting the ovaries 
• Pleural disease: Noncancerous conditions such as pleural plaques and pleural effusion or fluid buildup

Mesothelioma is the disease most closely linked to asbestos exposure. Air Force veterans with a history of asbestos exposure who develop symptoms like a persistent cough, chest pain or shortness of breath should schedule a doctor’s appointment. It’s also important to tell your doctor about any known exposure and discuss appropriate screenings for asbestos-related diseases.

VA Benefits for Air Force Veterans With Mesothelioma

The VA recognizes the danger of asbestos exposure during Air Force service and veterans with mesothelioma are eligible for a range of VA benefits. Disability compensation, health care and other financial support may be options for you and your family.

Available VA Benefits

• Aid and Attendance: Provides additional monthly support for veterans who need assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing or eating.
• Caregiver Benefits: Offers financial assistance, training and support services to family members or caregivers helping veterans with serious illnesses.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit available to surviving spouses, children or dependents of veterans who died from a service-connected condition.
• Funeral and Burial Reimbursement: Helps cover certain funeral and burial costs for eligible veterans whose death was related to military service.
• Housebound Benefits: Provides extra monthly payments to veterans with a disability who are largely confined to their home.
• Special Monthly Compensation: SMC offers additional compensation for veterans with severe disabilities or unique medical needs beyond standard disability ratings.
• VA Disability Compensation:  Veterans with mesothelioma typically receive a 100% disability rating, which currently provides $3,938 per month for a single veteran, $4,158.17 for a married veteran and higher payments for veterans with dependents in 2026.
• VA Health Care: Covers treatment through the VA system, including access to specialists and cancer care services.
• VA Pension: A needs-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income who meet certain service and medical requirements.

The PACT Act of 2022 expanded access to benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, including asbestos. Eligibility generally requires an honorable or general discharge, a confirmed diagnosis and evidence that the condition is connected to military service.

Air Force veterans can pursue VA benefits while also seeking compensation through legal claims, as these two processes are separate and don’t affect one another. Working with an experienced mesothelioma attorney at Nemeroff Law Firm can help veterans and their families understand their options and pursue the financial support available to them.

Legal Options for Air Force Veterans With Mesothelioma

Air Force veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma have several options to pursue financial compensation. Claims aren’t filed against the U.S. military or the federal government. Instead, they’re brought against the private companies that produced and supplied the asbestos-containing products that were used in aircraft, equipment, facilities or personal protective gear. 

Some mesothelioma cases go to trial, but most are resolved with a settlement. Outcomes vary, as each case is unique, but compensation in these cases can range from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars, depending on the case details. In addition, there is more than $30 billion available through asbestos trust funds. Some manufacturers created these funds during bankruptcy proceedings and these claims can typically be filed without appearing in court. 

Compensation for Veterans

• Asbestos trust fund claims: These claims may provide compensation ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars based on exposure and diagnosis. They’re often processed within a few months to a year and don’t require going to court. The average payout is estimated between $300,000 and $400,000.
• Mesothelioma lawsuits: Lawsuits may result in compensation ranging from several hundred thousand to millions of dollars. These cases can take months to a few years to resolve and may involve court proceedings, although many settle before trial. The average payouts range from $1 million to $2 million.
• VA disability compensation: Provides monthly payments, typically at a 100% disability rating for mesothelioma, along with access to VA health care. Claims are usually processed within several months and don’t require court involvement.

You can pursue legal compensation at the same time as VA benefits. The processes are separate and don’t have an impact on each other. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help Air Force veterans identify responsible manufacturers, determine eligibility for trust fund claims and guide veterans through each step of the process. 

Treatment for Air Force Veterans With Mesothelioma

Air Force veterans with mesothelioma may be able to access treatment through the VA, often with little to no out-of-pocket expenses if eligible. Medical care could involve a combination of approaches such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. Sometimes doctors use multiple treatments together as part of a coordinated plan, this is called multimodal care. 

Common Mesothelioma Treatments

• Chemotherapy: Drug-based treatment that circulates through the body to target and slow the spread of cancer, commonly used as an initial therapy.
• Emerging treatments and clinical trials: Ongoing research is testing new therapies and some veterans may qualify to take part in clinical trials evaluating these options.
• Immunotherapy: Boosts the body’s natural defenses to help detect and fight cancer cells with several therapies in use and others still being studied.
• Radiation therapy: Uses focused energy to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms often as part of a broader treatment plan.
• Surgery: In select cases, procedures may remove affected tissue or tumors, usually when the disease is identified at an earlier stage.

Air Force veterans who don’t live near specialized cancer centers can still receive care through the VA. The VA offers telehealth visits, coordinated case management from a distance and reimbursement for travel related to treatment. The VA MISSION Act also allows eligible veterans to seek care from civilian specialists when services aren’t readily available nearby.

Air Force Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs