Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma in the Navy

Navy veterans are among those in the military who experienced the highest rates of asbestos exposure, putting them at significant risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma. The primary cause of this aggressive cancer is asbestos exposure. The Department of Defense has identified 18 Military Occupational Specialties in the Navy that are considered “highly probable” for asbestos exposure.

Because asbestos-related diseases take 20 to 60 years to develop, most Navy veterans receive a diagnosis long after their service ends. Many aren’t diagnosed until their 60s, 70s or 80s.

Because of their resistance to heat, the U.S. Navy relied heavily on asbestos products from the 1930s through the early 1980s, especially on ships. Military veterans account for approximately 33% of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States, with Navy veterans making up the largest share of that group.

Navy veteran John Conway served on naval vessels involved in retrieving Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space capsules. While assigned to the USS Wasp, he also worked stripping asbestos from pipes below deck. “It used to look like it was snowing down there,” he told us. At the time, he and other sailors were unaware of the health risks exposure to asbestos posed.

Survivor Experience

I grew up wanting to be in the Navy, probably since I was 12 years old. I was proud to be there, proud to serve. It was fun, too. It took me around the world three times. I never thought about any long-range danger.

John Conway , pleural mesothelioma survivor and former Navy boiler technician chief on the USS Wasp (CVS-18)

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Are Navy Veterans Still at Risk of Developing Mesothelioma?

Navy veterans are still at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. The long latency period means people exposed decades ago may only now develop cancer. Also, while veterans with heavy and prolonged asbestos exposure in the past are most at risk, young Navy personnel and their families can be exposed today. Legacy asbestos products remain in older ships and buildings on Naval bases, including housing.

Sailors can also accidentally carry fibers home on their uniforms, skin or hair, putting family members at risk of secondary exposure. Family members who have regular contact with contaminated laundry or gear could inhale asbestos fibers.

Whether exposed through primary or secondary exposure, you should share your asbestos exposure history with your doctor and ask about screening tests. For those who do receive a diagnosis, a specialist can help you access the advanced mesothelioma treatments extending survival for many veterans, particularly those diagnosed as early as possible.

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How Were Navy Veterans Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos was heavily used in ships and shipyards in insulation and fireproofing materials. It was found throughout Navy vessels in equipment, pipes and engine rooms. Navy base housing and buildings also contained asbestos products, putting service members, civilian workers and military families at risk. 

Asbestos Exposure in the Navy

• Legacy asbestos exposure: Older buildings, ships and equipment made with asbestos are still in use today. This includes barracks and base housing.
• Military occupational exposure: Navy veterans who served during the height of asbestos use from the 1930s to 1980s were at a higher risk of asbestos exposure. Serving on older ships also increases exposure risk.
• Secondary asbestos exposure: Family members and other Navy service members can be exposed to asbestos fibers on uniforms and equipment.

If you were exposed in any of these ways, you may be eligible for VA benefits. Incomplete service records don’t automatically disqualify Navy veterans. In many cases, a veteran’s rating and the ships they served on are enough to support a claim. A VA-accredited claims agent can help you file your VA claim for mesothelioma.

Even today, personnel in combat zones may be exposed if older buildings are damaged. Veterans of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine all face potential asbestos exposure from various sources during their service.

Highest-Risk Naval Occupations

In addition to the DOD’s list of high-risk occupations, the Department of Veterans Affairs lists high-risk military jobs. Shipyard work, construction, demolition, carpentry, roofing and working with brake linings are among the careers with high asbestos exposure risk. Shipyard workers today are also at risk when dismantling older decommissioned ships built with asbestos materials.

Fire controlmen and firefighters were at significant risk from burning asbestos products. Some gear for fire crews was made with asbestos for its fire resistance. Confined spaces such as boiler rooms, engine compartments and pump rooms with poor ventilation kept airborne fiber levels dangerously high.

Highest-Risk Navy Occupations

• Aviation Fire Control Technician (AQ)
• Boilermaker (B & BR)
• Boiler Technician (BT)
• Fire Controlman (FC)
• Fire Control Technician (FT & FTG)
• Firefighter (FN)
• Hull Maintenance Technician (HT)
• Instrumentman (IM)
• Pipefitter (FP)
• Sonarman (SO)
• Soundman (SoM)
• Sonar Technician (ST, STG, SOG & STS)
• Utilitiesman (UT)
• Water Tender (WT)

The VA uses this list of high-risk jobs to decide who may qualify for disability benefits related to asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma is a disease the VA recognizes as connected to military service, particularly in the Navy. The VA acknowledges the link between the Navy’s history of heavy asbestos use and mesothelioma and provides benefits and access to treatment.

Navy veterans who worked in these jobs and received a mesothelioma diagnosis should contact a VA-accredited claims agent. Beginning the benefits process as soon as possible can help you begin your mesothelioma treatment.

Asbestos Exposure Aboard US Navy Ships

U.S. Navy ships built from the 1930s through the early 1980s used large amounts of asbestos. The lower decks like engine, boiler and pump rooms were areas with the highest exposure risk. Both Navy sailors and U.S. Marines who lived and worked on these vessels were at risk, even if they didn’t handle asbestos directly. 

Poor ventilation and tight quarters allowed asbestos fibers used in insulation, boilers, gaskets and flooring to spread throughout the ship. Destroyers, cruisers and other vessels all contained asbestos. Submarines were particularly dangerous because asbestos insulation lined nearly every surface from bow to stern. Aircraft carriers presented a different challenge because their sheer size meant more asbestos materials with more crew members exposed.

Shipyards, such as Bremerton Puget Sound, Charleston, Long Beach and San Diego, were also higher-risk work sites. Workers building, repairing or dismantling ships often encountered high concentrations of airborne asbestos. Even today, Navy shipyards and older vessels may still present asbestos hazards, making awareness and monitoring important for veterans and their families.

Navy veterans unsure whether their ship had documented asbestos exposure can contact one of our VA-accredited claims agents for help. Our Veterans Department can assist with filing your VA claim at no cost.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Even those who never worked directly with asbestos can still develop mesothelioma from secondary exposure. This happens when asbestos fibers are brought home on clothing, shoes, equipment and hair, putting family members at risk. 

Sailors, shipyard workers and others in shared spaces like barracks or work areas may also expose those around them. Over time, this indirect contact has led to mesothelioma in people who were never directly involved in higher-risk jobs.

Studies have documented mesothelioma in spouses who regularly laundered their partner’s work clothing and in children who greeted a parent at the door after a shift. Family members who believe they developed mesothelioma through secondary Navy asbestos exposure may have independent legal claims and should consult a mesothelioma lawyer.

Asbestos Products Used in the Navy

Asbestos-containing products were used throughout Navy ships, from the deck to the engine room, because of their durability and resistance to heat, fire and saltwater corrosion. Materials like insulation, machine parts and safety gear often contained asbestos and could release harmful fibers when damaged, putting sailors who performed repairs and maintenance at higher risk of exposure.

Naval Asbestos Products

• Adhesives
• Bedding compounds
• Block insulation
• Boiler insulation
• Cables
• Deck covering materials
• Gaskets
• Packing materials
• Paneling
• Paint
• Pipe insulation
• Pumps
• Spray-on insulation
• Textiles
• Valves

Navy veteran Jim A., who served on the USS Renville in the 1960s, told us, “You could say I was shocked about my pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. But not that big of a shock because I had always wondered after hearing so much about how dangerous asbestos turned out to be. I’m told, though, it was caught early.”

Bob Niemiec

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Mesothelioma Survivor, a Navy Veteran, Defies the Odds

Navy veteran Bob Niemiec is a mesothelioma survivor who even doctors say defied the odds. “Every doctor we’ve seen all said it’s impossible medically for this man to still be alive, so it’s just not his time to go,” said Jeannie, his his wife of 55 years. Bob entered the Navy in 1965 at the age of 20. His first assignment out of boot camp was to scrape paint off of the landing ship U.S.S. Hermitage. It turns out the paint he was scraping contained asbestos.

Bob Niemiec

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Read Bob’s Story

Benefits for Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma

U.S. Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for VA benefits such as disability compensation, health care and other financial assistance to help cover treatment costs. Those with a 100% disability rating may receive more than $4,158.17 in monthly benefits and full access to VA medical care.

The VA supports veterans based on service-connected disabilities, medical conditions and financial need. For most veterans, VA disability compensation delivers the greatest financial benefit through tax-free monthly payments based on rating and family status.

Available Benefits for Navy Veterans

• Aid and Attendance: These claims provide monthly payments to those who need help with daily activities.
• Caregiver Benefits: The VA offers a Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers that provides benefits to veteran caregivers, including a monthly stipend, respite care and mental health counseling.
• Funeral and Burial Reimbursement: In 2025, the VA burial and funeral reimbursement provides up to $2,000 for veterans whose death is determined to be service-connected. For nonservice-connected deaths after October 1, 2024, the VA will pay up to $978 toward burial and funeral expenses, plus a $978 plot allowance if the burial isn’t in a national cemetery. 
• Housebound Benefits: Veterans confined mainly to their homes because of their illness may qualify for additional payments added to their VA pension. This benefit is similar to Aid & Attendance but can’t be received simultaneously.
• Special Monthly Compensation: This is for veterans needing in-home care or assistance as a result of their illness.
• VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Also known as DIC, this benefit provides tax-free monthly payments to surviving spouses and dependents of veterans whose death was service-connected. The 2026 base DIC rate for a surviving spouse is $1,699.36 per month. Surviving family members may also qualify to file a separate wrongful death lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers, independent of any claim the veteran filed during their lifetime.
• VA Disability Compensation: This provides more than $3,700 in monthly tax-free payments for married veterans. The amount varies based on family status.
• VA Geriatric and Extended Care: These programs provide respite care, home health care, palliative care and assisted living or nursing home care.
• VA Health Care: Veterans can access free or low-cost VA health care, including treatment from top mesothelioma specialists within the VA health system.
• VA Pension: This provides monthly payments to veterans and their surviving spouses based on certain requirements, including income and net worth.

VA benefits may include medical care and monthly disability compensation for service-connected medical conditions. Veterans who are married, have dependent children or care for family members with special needs may be eligible for additional compensation. These benefits can also extend to spouses and dependent children after the veteran’s passing. Even if your mesothelioma isn’t officially linked to your military service, you may still qualify to receive mesothelioma treatment through the VA health care system.

Receiving VA disability compensation doesn’t prevent a veteran from also filing a civil lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers. These are entirely separate legal pathways, and benefits from one don’t reduce or offset the other.

How Navy Veterans Can File a VA Claim for Mesothelioma

Navy veterans can file a VA claim for mesothelioma with the help of a VA-accredited claims agent. VA claims agents have the expertise to help you navigate the complicated process, ensuring claims are filed correctly. They can help you gather the military records and medical documentation to support your VA claim, including a written asbestos exposure summary.

Most U.S. Navy ships built before 1983 contained asbestos, and the VA and National Archives maintain records documenting asbestos use on specific vessels. Not having this information yourself doesn’t prevent a successful claim. A VA-accredited claims agent can request ship records on your behalf. You can also find a list of Navy ships with documented asbestos on our Navy ships with asbestos page.

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What Do Navy Veterans Need to Prove Asbestos Exposure Without Complete Records?

Most Navy veterans don’t need to identify a specific exposure incident to file a successful VA or legal claim for mesothelioma. A veteran’s military occupational rating and the ships they served aboard are often enough to establish service connection.

Types of Supporting Evidence

• Buddy statements: Written accounts from fellow crew members who can speak to your exposure
• DD-214: Your military service record showing your rating and duty stations
• Ship records: Deck logs and maintenance records available through the National Archives
• VA ship list: The VA’s published list of ships and occupational ratings associated with asbestos exposure

A VA-accredited claims agent can request these records on your behalf and put together an exposure summary to submit with your claim. You don’t need to gather this evidence yourself before reaching out for help.

Navy Asbestos Settlements and Legal Claims for Veterans

Navy veterans with mesothelioma don’t sue the U.S. government directly. But they can file mesothelioma lawsuits against the asbestos manufacturers that made products used on Navy ships. A legal rule called the Feres Doctrine prevents lawsuits against the federal government for service-related injuries. However, it doesn’t prevent veterans from pursuing VA disability compensation, asbestos trust fund claims and civil lawsuits against manufacturers simultaneously.

Notable Asbestos Verdicts and Settlements Involving U.S. Navy Veterans

• $70.8 Million: U.S. Navy machinist Robert Whalen received this trial award in 2014 for developing mesothelioma after working with John Crane’s asbestos gaskets during his 26-year Navy career.
• $40 Million: U.S. Navy veteran Walter Twidwell received this trial award in 2018 against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Twidwell served as a boiler tender during his service. 
• $6.5 Million: A jury awarded Navy shipyard worker George Parker this award in 2016 after he developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos gaskets while working at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
• $5.2 Million: The surviving family of Richard Walmach received this award in 2007 in a wrongful death case after he developed mesothelioma from removing asbestos insulation at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The court found Foster Wheeler Corp. failed to warn him about the dangers of its asbestos products.

Mesothelioma settlement amounts for U.S. Navy veterans and their families typically range from $1 million to $2 million. In some cases, total awards, including settlements and trial verdicts, have exceeded $70 million for veterans and their loved ones.

Navy veterans and their families can pursue legal settlements to help cover treatment costs, supplement income and pay expenses that VA benefits may not cover. Consulting an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand your options and guide you through filing a lawsuit or claims with asbestos trust funds, even if you don’t qualify for VA benefits.

Treatment for Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma

The VA health care system provides advanced treatment and expert cancer care for Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. Treatment options include immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The VA also offers accurate diagnosis and access to second opinions from mesothelioma specialists within the VA network.

Mesothelioma Treatment Options for U.S. Navy Veterans

• Chemo: Standard regimens use Alimta (pemetrexed) combined with a platinum agent like Platinol (cisplatin) or Paraplatin (carboplatin).
• Cryotherapy (Cryoablation): Freezing cancer cells to destroy tumors is especially useful for managing recurrent disease or pain.
• Emerging and experimental treatments: These include gene therapy (altering genes in mesothelioma cells), enzyme therapy such as ADI-PEG20 or PARP inhibitors, epigenetic therapy and vaccine therapy.
• Immunotherapy: The FDA approved Keytruda (pembrolizumab) in combination with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for unresectable pleural mesothelioma in September 2024. Opdivo (nivolumab) combined with Yervoy (ipilimumab) is also an FDA-approved first-line combination for unresectable pleural mesothelioma. Clinical trials continue to investigate additional immunotherapies.
• Multimodal therapy: This combines 2 or more treatments, often surgery, chemo and radiation or immunotherapy, for improved outcomes, particularly in long-term survivors.
• Photodynamic therapy: Uses light-sensitive drugs and targeted light to destroy cancer cells and is being studied in combination with immunotherapy for greater effect.
• Radiation therapy: Doctors sometimes use this as part of a multimodal plan, especially after surgery for residual tumor control.
• Surgery: Procedures such as pleural decortication and pericardectomy focus on specific regions of the body. Surgery is generally an option for select patients, often those with early-stage, epithelioid-type disease.
• Targeted therapy: Oral medications like Lynparza (olaparib) and Tazverik (tazemetostat) focus on genetic or molecular targets within cancer cells and show promise in some clinical trials.

Mesothelioma historically carried a poor prognosis, but outcomes have improved meaningfully in recent years. Veterans diagnosed at earlier stages who receive multimodal treatment combining surgery, chemo and immunotherapy have achieved survival measured in years rather than months. A small but growing number of long-term survivors have surpassed a decade.

Your treatment plan will depend on many factors, including cancer stage, cell type, overall health and genetic factors. For veterans who don’t live near a specialist, the VA offers virtual appointments and remote case management, allowing experts to guide your treatment online. Additionally, the VA reimburses travel expenses for veterans who need to travel for covered medical care.

VA Treatment Centers

There are VA mesothelioma treatment centers across the country. VA medical centers in Boston, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Atlanta have mesothelioma specialists.

These VA mesothelioma treatment centers bring together leading specialists and advanced therapies to ensure veterans receive the highest quality care possible. No matter where you’re located, the VA health care system can help connect you to specialized mesothelioma care at a center that meets your needs.

Mesothelioma Specialists Treating Navy Veterans

The VA has mesothelioma specialists across the country who provide cutting-edge treatments to veterans, including many Navy veterans, coping with this aggressive cancer. These experts specialize in mesothelioma care and have extensive experience managing complex treatment plans aimed at helping patients live longer, healthier lives.

Navy veterans bear a hefty burden of asbestos-related cancers linked to their service. To address this, the VA health care system has partnered with some of the nation’s leading mesothelioma doctors to deliver exceptional cancer care tailored to veterans’ unique needs.

Common Questions From Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma

When did the Navy stop using asbestos?

The Navy discontinued the use of asbestos for new ships and bases in the 1980s. Veterans who served on naval vessels between 1930 and 1980 have a high risk of developing mesothelioma.

Asbestos was not completely removed or encapsulated on existing vessels and facilities until the late 1990s. Veterans who were deployed overseas may also have been exposed to other sources of asbestos.

Do Navy ships still have asbestos?

Navy ships are no longer built with asbestos-containing materials. Ships constructed before the 1980s have had any exposed asbestos removed or encapsulated. Asbestos on Navy ships does not present a health risk unless damaged or disturbed, but it can still be found on some older vessels.

What should I do if I believe I was exposed to asbestos while serving?

If you believe you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, speak with your primary care physician about mesothelioma screenings. In many cases, veterans are eligible for VA asbestos disability benefits to cover the cost of medical bills and other expenses.

There are 3 things you can do right away: Tell your doctor about your service history and request a mesothelioma screening. Contact a VA-accredited claims agent to document your exposure and understand your benefit eligibility. And consult a mesothelioma attorney to understand your legal options against asbestos manufacturers.

What compensation is available for Navy veterans with mesothelioma?

Navy veterans with mesothelioma are eligible for monthly VA disability compensation, and may also file asbestos trust fund claims and civil lawsuits against manufacturers. These 3 compensation sources aren’t mutually exclusive, and pursuing one doesn’t reduce or eliminate eligibility for the others.

VA disability compensation for a married veteran at 100% disability is $4,158.17 per month, tax-free. Most mesothelioma lawsuits end with a settlement, and the average payout is $1 million to $2 million, according to the latest Mealey’s Litigation Report.

What is the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program?

In the 1970s, the Navy established the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program. The AMSP monitors the health of veterans and civilians who were exposed to asbestos while working for the Navy and other military branches. This program helps track the medical status of people with known military occupational asbestos exposure to screen for mesothelioma and asbestosis. It also documents service-related exposure. This is important for filing a VA claim.

What happens to my family’s VA benefits after I pass away?

Surviving spouses and dependents of Navy veterans who died from service-connected mesothelioma may qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), which provides tax-free monthly payments. The 2026 base DIC rate for a surviving spouse is $1,699.36 per month. Surviving family members may also file a wrongful death lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers, and the estate can file asbestos trust fund claims after the veteran’s passing.

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