3 Things Every Veteran with Mesothelioma Needs to Know

Do you happen to be a veteran who has mesothelioma? Well then, there is a possibility that you haven’t been informed properly about your benefits as a veteran. Therefore, in order to make sure you won’t miss any of these benefits, below you are going to find 3 things that veterans with mesothelioma should know about. 

• Two of the Best Mesothelioma Specialists in the World Are Found at VA

Believe it or not, but there are actually two amazing specialists in the VA, which happen to be two of the greatest ones in the country. While private hospitals may be able to offer you a good treatment, the one you can get at VA as a veteran for mesothelioma can be just as good, or even surpass it. 

For instance, one of these specialists is none other than Dr. Abraham Lebenthal. He is the one in charge of the VA Boston Health Care System. Considering Dr. Lebenthal already has a home base at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the program from the VA works in collaboration with it. 

Not to mention that Dr. Lebenthal also took part in the Israeli Army as a battalion physical. Therefore, if you are a veteran, you have an advantage and will receive better care than you may be offered by a normal doctor.

• You Can Receive VA Disability Compensation

One of the biggest benefits when you have mesothelioma as a veteran is the disability compensation that you can receive. Basically, veterans with a mesothelioma diagnosis are eligible for a compensation rate. If you’re a married veteran, then the amount per month can be $3,068, and if you’re single, it can go up to $2,906.

But keep in mind that you will need to provide proof of asbestos exposure. The reason is that the VA thinks asbestos is the only known reason why mesothelioma occurs in people. So, if you’re a veteran suffering from it, make sure to provide some proof, so you can gain access to disability compensation as early as you can. 

• You Can Be Exposed to Asbestos without it Being Service Related

Most of the time, it is considered that mesothelioma is mostly caused by asbestos exposure that is service-related. So, a lot of doctors don’t take you into consideration if your diagnosis isn’t a service-related one. 

But the VA isn’t the same. Even if your mesothelioma isn’t service-related, you’ll have access to the benefits. You can obtain treatment either through the VA Health Care System or the VA pension. 

Final Thoughts

Mesothelioma isn’t a joke. So, if you’re a veteran and want to receive treatment from the VA, you need to know what benefits come into play. As you can see, you can get benefits even if your diagnosis isn’t service-related, and your benefits include compensation for your disability. Not to mention that you get to be treated by two of the best mesothelioma specialists in the country. Knowing the benefits can be a huge win for you.