Coast Guard Veterans and Mesothelioma

Coast Guard veterans who worked in shipyards were likely exposed to asbestos. This puts them at higher risk for developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. Veterans may be eligible for VA benefits and legal compensation.

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How Coast Guard Veterans Were Exposed to Asbestos

Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos where they lived and worked because the U.S. military widely used asbestos from the 1930s through the 1980s.  Its heat-resistant properties made it popular for insulating and fireproofing, among other uses. The microscopic asbestos fibers, once disturbed, can become airborne and are inhaled or ingested, becoming trapped in the body undetected for years. There is no safe level of asbestos exposure.

Sites of Asbestos Exposure

• Base buildings: Offices, workshops, and older buildings often contained asbestos in the insulation, ceiling tiles, flooring and heating systems.
• Coast Guard vessels: Asbestos was widely used in engine rooms, pipes, boilers, insulation and electrical systems, especially during maintenance and repair work.
• Industrial and maintenance work: Roles like machinists, welders, electricians and pipefitters often handled asbestos-containing equipment and materials.
• On-base housing and facilities: Asbestos was commonly used in flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing, insulation and other construction materials, especially in buildings built prior to 1980.
• Secondary exposure: Asbestos fibers could be carried home on uniforms, skin or hair, and could have unintentionally exposed other family members.
• Shipyards: Shipbuilding and repair often involved asbestos in insulation, gaskets, coatings and other materials, with exposure highest during cutting, sanding, welding and removal.

The use of asbestos is now highly regulated in the U.S., but legacy asbestos remains in older military buildings and equipment, putting current Coast Guard members at risk. Combat operations can also put Coast Guard members at risk of exposure. Combat operations that destroy older buildings cause the release of asbestos fibers into the air, putting service members at risk. 

Higher-Risk Occupations for Coast Guard Veterans

People in Coast Guard roles that involved working in confined areas with poor ventilation where asbestos materials were common are at particularly high risk. Spaces like engine rooms and shipyards were known for heavy concentrations of fibers in the air as asbestos was disturbed during maintenance and repair work. 

Higher-Risk Coast Guard Jobs 

• Boiler and engine room maintenance: Coast Guards personnel who worked in confined shipboard spaces where asbestos was used in insulation, pipes and mechanical systems.
• Cargo ship inspection: Inspectors examined vessels that often contained asbestos in engine rooms, cargo areas and structural components
• Shipyard insulation work: Installed, repaired or removed asbestos-containing insulation on ships and in shipyard facilities

Any member of the Coast Guard was at risk of exposure to asbestos, but certain jobs that involved regular contact with asbestos were at higher risk of developing mesothelioma or other illnesses. The risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses increases with the duration and frequency of exposure. Veterans who worked in high-risk roles should consult with a doctor about their exposure history, even if they don’t have symptoms. Mesothelioma can take decades to appear after initial exposure. 

Diseases Linked to Coast Guard Veterans Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is the disease most closely associated with asbestos exposure. But asbestos exposure has been linked to a number of serious diseases, many of which take decades to develop after initial exposure. Because asbestos fibers can remain in the body for years before symptoms develop, early detection is difficult. Some illnesses can take between 20 and 60 years to appear. 

Asbestos-Related Illnesses 

• Asbestosis: Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause this chronic lung disease that leads to scarring of lung tissue and difficulty breathing.
• Laryngeal cancer: This cancer of the voice box that has been linked to asbestos exposure, particularly in occupational settings.
• Lung cancer: A malignant tumor can develop in the lungs after inhaling asbestos fibers.
• Mesothelioma: This rare and aggressive cancer forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart and is most strongly associated with asbestos exposure.
• Ovarian cancer: A cancer affecting the ovaries, it’s been linked to asbestos exposure in some occupational and environmental settings.
• Pleural disease: A group of non-cancerous conditions affecting the lining of the lungs, including pleural plaques and pleural effusion, it’s often associated with prior asbestos exposure.

Coast Guard veterans with a history of exposure who develop symptoms, like a persistent cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, should see a doctor as soon as possible. Even without symptoms, veterans with known exposure should discuss their history with a doctor and ask about appropriate screenings.

VA Benefits for Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma

Coast Guard veterans who are diagnosed with service-related mesothelioma may be eligible for VA benefits, including health care, disability compensation and other financial assistance. The PACT Act of 2022 broadened the eligibility for many veterans exposed to toxic substances, including asbestos. Veterans must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as honorable or general discharge, a confirmed diagnosis and evidence linking the illness to military service. 

VA Benefits 

• Aid and Attendance: An additional monthly benefit for veterans who need assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing or eating as a result of their diagnosis.
• Caregiver Benefits: Offers financial assistance, training and support resources to family members or caregivers helping veterans with serious medical needs.
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit available to eligible spouses, children or dependents of veterans whose death was related to their military service.
• Funeral and Burial Reimbursement: Provides financial help to cover certain funeral and burial costs for eligible veterans whose death was service-connected.
• Housebound Benefits: Provides extra monthly compensation to veterans who are largely confined to their home because of a disability.
• Special Monthly Compensation: Additional compensation for veterans with severe disabilities or specific conditions that go beyond standard disability ratings
• VA Disability Compensation: Veterans with mesothelioma are often assigned a 100% disability rating, which in 2026 pays about $3,938 per month for a single veteran and $4,158.17 for a married veteran, with higher amounts available for those with dependents
• VA Health Care: Covers medical care through the VA system, including access to specialists and cancer treatment services
• VA Pension: A needs-based benefit for wartime veterans with limited income who meet certain service and health requirements

Coast Guard veterans who file a VA claim can also pursue legal compensation at the same time. Because the two processes are separate, they don’t impact one another. An experienced mesothelioma attorney at Nemeroff Law Firm can help Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma navigate their legal options to find available financial support.

Legal Options for Coast Guard Veterans with Mesothelioma

Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma who pursue legal claims for compensation don’t sue the U.S. military or the federal government. Instead, claims are filed against the private companies that manufactured, supplied or installed asbestos-containing materials the military used. These companies are responsible for failing to warn service members about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

Compensation for Coast Guard Veterans

• Asbestos trust fund claims:  These claims are filed against the bankruptcy trust funds of asbestos companies. The compensation for such claims can vary from a few thousand dollars to as high as six figures. The claims are settled within a few months, and a trial is not required.
• Mesothelioma lawsuits: Filed against solvent asbestos manufacturers, these lawsuits can result in settlements or trial verdicts that may reach significant compensation amounts. Cases often resolve within 12 to 24 months, and while many settle before trial, court involvement may be required.
• VA disability compensation: This provides tax-free compensation for veterans who have service-related mesothelioma. The compensation is paid monthly, often veterans are given a 100% disability rating. The compensation is ongoing and not a lump sum, and no trial is required.

Most mesothelioma claims are resolved through settlements rather than going to trial, which can allow veterans and their families to receive compensation more quickly. The outcomes vary, however, settlements can often range from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars. In addition, more than $30 billion remains available in asbestos trust funds that were established by bankrupt manufacturers. Eligible veterans can file trust fund claims without going to court.

Coast Guard veterans can pursue VA benefits and legal compensation at the same time. Working with an experienced mesothelioma attorney can help identify responsible companies, locate applicable trust funds, and guide Coast Guard veterans through the claims process while maximizing potential for compensation. 

Treatment for Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma 

Coast Guard veterans can receive mesothelioma treatment through the VA health care system. Often health care treatment is at little to no cost to the veteran. Treatment can include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and newer approaches like immunotherapy or participation in clinical trials. This combination approach, known as multimodal treatment, is commonly used to targeting the cancer in multiple ways and improve outcomes.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options

• Chemotherapy: A standard first-line treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth, often used alone or in combination with other therapies
• Emerging treatments and clinical trials: New therapies being studied, including targeted treatments and experimental approaches, which may be available through VA-affiliated or specialized cancer centers
• Immunotherapy: This FDA-approved treatment for pleural mesothelioma helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. Immunotherapy for peritoneal mesothelioma is still under study.
• Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy beams to shrink tumors or relieve symptoms, often used with surgery or chemo.
• Surgery: Involves removing tumors or affected tissue and is typically considered for patients diagnosed at earlier stages of mesothelioma

For veterans who don’t live close enough to a specialist who treats mesothelioma, they still have options for getting the care they need from the VA. The VA offers telehealth services that provide access to virtual appointments with a specialist. They also offer remote case management and travel reimbursement for those veterans that need to get specialized treatment at a treatment center. The VA MISSION Act provides veterans access to civilian specialists in their communities if the VA isn’t accessible.

Coast Guard Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs