Overview
U.S. Navy veterans have the highest rate of mesothelioma among all military branches. Naval ships were constructed with extensive asbestos insulation, and sailors lived and worked in these enclosed environments for months or years at a time. Veterans who served before the 1980s faced significant asbestos exposure.
The Navy has the highest mesothelioma rate among all military branches. Veterans who served aboard ships, at naval shipyards, or in submarine service faced particularly intense exposure.
Asbestos on Naval Vessels
| Ship Area | Asbestos Materials | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Engine rooms | Boiler insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets | Extreme |
| Boiler rooms | Thermal insulation, refractory materials | Extreme |
| Berthing areas | Wall panels, floor tiles, ceiling tiles | High |
| Mess decks | Galley insulation, fire barriers | Moderate |
| Weapons systems | Fire protection, electrical insulation | Moderate |
Navy Rates at Highest Risk
All sailors were exposed to some degree simply by living aboard ships with asbestos throughout.
Types of Naval Service with Exposure
Shipboard Service
Sailors stationed aboard surface ships and submarines faced continuous exposure:
- Aircraft carriers
- Destroyers and cruisers
- Submarines
- Amphibious assault ships
- Support vessels
Naval Shipyard Duty
Service members working at naval shipyards faced extreme exposure:
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
- Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Shore Installations
Base personnel at naval installations with asbestos buildings also faced exposure.
Submarine sailors faced particularly concentrated exposure due to the extremely confined spaces of submarines, where asbestos fibers accumulated to high levels.
Related Occupations
Civilian workers with similar exposure:
- Shipyard workers, Ship construction/repair
- Merchant marines, Commercial maritime
- Boilermakers, Boiler work
- Pipefitters, Pipe systems
Related Industries
Health Consequences
Navy veterans face elevated risk of mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest or abdominal lining; asbestosis, a progressive scarring of the lungs; lung cancer, with risk multiplied among smokers; and pleural disease that thickens the lining around the lungs.
VA Benefits for Navy Veterans
Mesothelioma in Navy veterans is typically presumed to be service-connected, which makes VA disability claims more straightforward than for other conditions.
Available VA Benefits
Eligible veterans can receive disability compensation as monthly payments based on their disability rating, health care through VA medical centers, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving family members, and Special Monthly Compensation for the most severe cases.
Filing a VA Claim
- Gather service records documenting ship assignments
- Obtain medical diagnosis and nexus letter
- File claim with VA
- Consider working with veterans service organization
Additional Legal Options
Navy veterans may also pursue:
Asbestos Trust Funds
Manufacturers of asbestos products used on ships have established trusts:
- Johns-Manville Trust
- Owens Corning Trust
- W.R. Grace Trust
Third-Party Lawsuits
Claims against companies that supplied asbestos products to the Navy.
Veterans can receive VA benefits AND pursue asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits. These are separate sources of compensation.