Navy Veterans & Mesothelioma: Shipyard Risks
Navy veterans face elevated mesothelioma rates from shipboard asbestos. Learn about exposure risks, VA benefits, and specialized treatment centers for veterans.
Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma Risk
U.S. Navy veterans face the highest mesothelioma rates among all military branches. The Navy used asbestos extensively from the 1930s through the mid-1970s, and veterans who served during that period account for a substantial share of U.S. mesothelioma diagnoses. The VA and advocacy groups have historically cited figures in the range of 30% for veteran representation in mesothelioma cases, though no single CDC or peer-reviewed study has quantified a precise percentage.
Where Asbestos Was Used on Navy Ships
High-Risk Areas
| Location | Asbestos Products |
|---|---|
| Boiler rooms | Insulation, gaskets, valves |
| Engine rooms | Pipe lagging, pumps, turbines |
| Sleeping quarters | Wall and ceiling insulation |
| Mess halls | Floor tiles, ceiling materials |
| Navigation rooms | Electrical insulation |
Ship Types with Heavy Asbestos Use
- Aircraft carriers
- Destroyers
- Cruisers
- Submarines
- Battleships
- Support vessels (e.g., USS Truckee, USS Vulcan)
High-Risk Navy Occupations
Boiler Technicians and Operators
Boilermen handled asbestos-laden equipment daily in confined, poorly ventilated spaces. Tasks included:
- Maintaining and repairing boilers wrapped in asbestos insulation
- Replacing gaskets and packing materials
- Working near asbestos-covered pipes and valves
Other High-Risk Roles
Machinists’ mates maintained engine room equipment. Hull technicians handled ship repair and insulation work. Pipefitters installed and repaired asbestos-insulated pipes. Electricians worked with asbestos electrical insulation, and shipyard workers built and repaired contaminated vessels.
Navy Shipyards Across the Country
Navy veterans with mesothelioma often trace their exposure to one of a handful of major yards. Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Newport News Shipbuilding drive Virginia’s mesothelioma caseload, while Electric Boat in Groton, the Navy’s primary submarine builder, is tied to the majority of Connecticut mesothelioma cases.
The Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and Bethlehem Steel’s Fore River yard in Quincy shaped Massachusetts’s exposure profile. Baltimore’s Sparrows Point and Key Highway yards contributed to Maryland’s shipyard-related cases, and the WWII-era Kaiser shipyards on the Columbia River remain a central thread in Oregon’s mesothelioma statistics.
The Latency Period Challenge
Mesothelioma develops 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. Veterans who served between the 1930s and 1990s are being diagnosed today. Why the delay matters:
- Many veterans don’t connect current symptoms to past service
- Medical records from decades ago may be incomplete
- Exposure occurred before asbestos dangers were widely known
Unlike civil lawsuits, there is no statute of limitations for VA disability claims. Veterans can file at any time after diagnosis, even decades after service ended.
VA Benefits for Mesothelioma
Disability Compensation
Once service-connection is established, mesothelioma is generally rated at 100% disability under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4), the highest level available. Service-connection itself is not automatic. Asbestos exposure is not on the VA presumptive list under 38 CFR §3.309, and the PACT Act (Public Law 117-168) did not add asbestos as a standalone presumptive exposure category. Most Navy veterans must document in-service exposure (ship assignments, occupational specialty, shipyard duty), a current diagnosis, and a medical opinion linking the disease to that exposure, under the standard service-connection framework in 38 USC §1110 and 38 CFR §3.303.
A narrower PACT Act path applies to specific Navy cohorts. Vietnam-era brown-water Navy veterans who served in Vietnam’s inland waterways or within 12 nautical miles of the line of demarcation between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, are presumed exposed to Agent Orange under 38 USC §1116 and §1116A. Navy veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater on or after August 2, 1990, or in Afghanistan, Djibouti, or other post-9/11 burn-pit locations on or after September 11, 2001, are presumed exposed to airborne hazards under 38 USC §1119 and may qualify under the “respiratory cancer of any type” presumption, which VA can apply to pleural mesothelioma. Most Navy mesothelioma claims trace to mid-century shipyard, boiler room, and engine room exposure that pre-dates 1990, and those claims proceed under the standard service-connection route rather than the PACT Act path.
The 100% rating provides:
- Approximately $3,831.30/month (2025) or $3,938.58/month (2026) for a veteran alone, tax-free. Rates adjust annually under the 2026 VA disability rates.
- Additional allowances for dependents
- Coverage for at-home caregivers
- Nursing and medical care
- Mobility aids and equipment
- Mental health counseling
Healthcare Benefits
VA healthcare for mesothelioma includes:
- No-cost treatment at VA medical centers
- Access to mesothelioma specialists
- Clinical trial enrollment
- Palliative and hospice care
Veterans Choice Program
If you live more than 40 miles from a VA facility or cannot get an appointment within 30 days, you may be eligible to receive care from approved community providers.
VA Medical Centers with Documented Mesothelioma Care
VA does not publish an official national list of mesothelioma specialty centers. Two VA facilities are documented by VA News and peer-reviewed sources as sites where a thoracic surgeon with mesothelioma expertise treats veterans:
| Location | VA Medical Center | Documented Mesothelioma Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | West Los Angeles VA Medical Center (VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System) | Dr. Robert B. Cameron, thoracic surgeon |
| Boston, MA | VA Boston Healthcare System (West Roxbury) | Dr. Abraham Lebenthal, thoracic surgeon |
Source: VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, “Mesothelioma: We have one of the best doctors to treat it” (https://www.va.gov/greater-los-angeles-health-care/stories/mesothelioma-we-have-one-of-the-best-doctors-to-treat-it/) and VA News, “VA-accredited claims agent discusses mesothelioma claims and world-class VA care” (https://news.va.gov/48765/).
Other VA medical centers, including Michael E. DeBakey VAMC (Houston), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VAMC (Philadelphia), James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital (Tampa), VA Miami Healthcare System, and the Atlanta VA, treat mesothelioma as part of their broader thoracic oncology programs through academic affiliations. They are not, however, branded as named mesothelioma programs by VA itself, and the “top VA mesothelioma hospital” lists published on law-firm and SEO sites do not trace to a VA-issued directory.
Advanced Surgical Options
The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is publicly described by VA as a site where pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) surgery is performed for mesothelioma, which:
- Removes the pleural lining without removing the lung
- Allows faster recovery than pneumonectomy
- Has lower complication rates than extrapleural pneumonectomy
- Is performed by Dr. Robert B. Cameron, whose peer-reviewed work on lung-sparing surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma lists his VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System affiliation
Legal Compensation Options
Veterans can pursue compensation from multiple sources without affecting VA benefits:
Asbestos Trust Funds
- Combined payouts vary based on which trusts apply, the trust’s payment percentage, and the veteran’s documented exposure history
- Claims target manufacturers who supplied asbestos to the military
- No lawsuit required, administrative claims process
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
- Settlement and verdict amounts vary widely by case, jurisdiction, and the strength of the documentation
- Target asbestos product manufacturers (not the government)
- Veterans cannot sue the military directly (Feres Doctrine)
- Family members may file wrongful death claims
Steps for Newly Diagnosed Veterans
1. File a VA Disability Claim
- Gather service records documenting your time aboard ships or at shipyards
- Obtain a diagnosis from your oncologist
- File Form 21-526EZ with the VA
2. Seek Specialized Care
- Request referral to a VA mesothelioma center
- Ask about clinical trials for new treatments
- Consider multimodal therapy options
3. Explore Additional Compensation
- Consult with a mesothelioma attorney about trust fund claims
- Document your asbestos exposure history
- Identify specific products and manufacturers
Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-Up
Veterans treated at specialized centers receive:
- CT scans every 3-6 months
- Regular follow-up appointments
- Monitoring for recurrence
- Access to support services
Support Resources for Veterans
For patients:
- VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274
- Veterans Crisis Line: 988 (press 1)
- VA Health Benefits Hotline: 1-877-222-8387 For families:
- Fisher House Foundation: Free housing during hospital treatment
- VA bereavement counseling
- Caregiver support programs
Questions to Ask Your VA Provider
- What is my mesothelioma stage and cell type?
- Am I eligible for surgery at a specialized VA center?
- What clinical trials are available for veterans?
- How do I file for 100% disability compensation?
- Can you help me document my asbestos exposure history?
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive VA benefits and pursue a lawsuit?
Yes. VA disability compensation does not affect your right to file asbestos trust fund claims or lawsuits against product manufacturers. Many veterans receive both types of compensation.
Are there VA medical centers with mesothelioma specialists?
VA does not publish an official national list of mesothelioma specialty centers. Two VA facilities are documented in VA News and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System materials as sites where a thoracic surgeon with mesothelioma expertise treats veterans: the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center (Dr. Robert B. Cameron) and VA Boston Healthcare System (Dr. Abraham Lebenthal). Other VA facilities, including Houston (DeBakey), Philadelphia (Crescenz), Tampa (Haley), Atlanta, and Miami, treat mesothelioma within their broader thoracic oncology services through academic affiliations, but VA itself does not brand them as dedicated mesothelioma programs. Veterans can ask their primary VA team about a referral to West LA or Boston, or to a community provider under the MISSION Act if travel is a barrier.
What famous person died from mesothelioma?
Steve McQueen, a prominent actor known for films like The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven, died from pleural mesothelioma in 1980 at age 50. His exposure is linked to U.S. Marine service, shipyard work, and possible movie set insulation. Other celebrities who died from mesothelioma include musician Warren Zevon (2003), actor Ed Lauter (2013), and NFL player Merlin Olsen. Paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould survived peritoneal mesothelioma for 20 years before dying from unrelated lung cancer in 2002.