Understanding Survivor Benefits for Veterans With Mesothelioma
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure, can have a profound impact not only on veterans but also on their surviving dependents. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several compensation programs designed to support spouses, dependent children, and parents who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma.
Understanding these benefits and how to navigate the process can be extremely important during a challenging time.
Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Outlook
Mesothelioma is a fairly rare form of cancer with a long latency period – often of several decades – that’s usually detected quite late in its development. And while treatment options are available, a cure isn’t possible for most people.
“Doctors divide mesothelioma into different types based on what part of the mesothelium is affected,” Mayo Clinic explains. “Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura). This type is called pleural mesothelioma. Other, rarer types of mesothelioma affect tissue in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), around the heart and around the testicles.”
The symptoms of mesothelioma depend on the type a person has. Those with pleural mesothelioma often report chest pain, painful coughing, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and even lumps under the skin of the chest. Those with the peritoneal variety notice signs of abdominal pain, nausea, and swelling, While very rare, those with pericardial mesothelioma often have chest pain and heart murmurs.
The outlook for those with mesothelioma is grim. The current five-year survival rate is just 10 percent for all patients. However, with the proper treatment, certain types – such as peritoneal mesothelioma, can be expected to live 53 months or longer.
Veterans and the Risk of Mesothelioma
U.S. veterans face an abnormally high risk for developing mesothelioma, when compared to the general population. This is due to the military’s reliance on asbestos-based products for decades.
Between 1935 and 1975, the material was the preferred choice for many military bases, vehicles, planes, and ships because of its flame-resistant and high-durability characteristics. It was also cheap to use, fairly resistant to water and chemical corrosion, and was able to withstand the demands of intense military operations.
“The U.S. Navy has by far the highest exposure risk of any military branch,” KenoshaCounty.org explains. “Asbestos was a key construction material in shipbuilding. Sailors responsible for shipbuilding and shipyard work had the highest levels of asbestos exposure. That’s because they were directly handling asbestos-based insulation that would line the entire structure of every warship built in the mid-20th century.”
However, asbestos was also commonly used in other branches, including the Army, Air Force, and Marines. Even Coast Guard veterans who worked closely around gaskets, boilers, insulation, and electrical wiring and piping between the 1930s and 1980s are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
What Are the Survivor Benefits for Veterans?
Because of the disappointing rise in mesothelioma cases among veterans, the VA now offers numerous benefits and programs for surviving dependents.
“When a veteran passes away due to mesothelioma, the VA offers several compensation programs to surviving dependents (spouses, dependent children, and parents),” MesotheliomaGuide.com points out. “Surviving spouses may also qualify for VA-funded health insurance through the VA’s Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA).”
Let’s explore several of the programs:
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
When a veteran succumbs to mesothelioma, eligible survivors may qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to survivors of military members who died due to a service-connected disability or disease. Importantly, a surviving spouse can apply for DIC, even if the veteran never filed a VA Disability Compensation claim for mesothelioma.
Recipients of DIC include surviving spouses, dependent children under 18 (or under 23 if attending school), and dependent parents. The monthly rate for a surviving spouse is $1,562 as of December 1, 2022, with potential increases for those in need of Aid and Attendance, housebound individuals, or those with dependent children.
Survivor Pension
Survivor Pension is another crucial benefit provided to the surviving spouse and dependent children of a deceased wartime veteran. To qualify, the veteran must have served for at least 90 days on active duty, with at least one day during a wartime period. The surviving spouse cannot have remarried before turning 57, and their income must be below a Congress-set limit.
The amount paid under a Survivor Pension is determined by subtracting the surviving spouse’s income from the applicable limit. Different income limits exist based on whether the spouse requires Aid and Attendance, is housebound, or has dependent children.
Aid and Attendance (A&A)
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an additional compensation benefit for a surviving spouse who needs assistance with daily living activities due to mesothelioma’s impact. A&A is paid in addition to DIC or Survivor Pension amounts and is intended to provide financial assistance for tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating.
VA Health Insurance (CHAMPVA)
The VA’s Health and Medical Program, known as CHAMPVA, offers comprehensive healthcare coverage for a veteran’s spouse. Similar to civilian health care plans, CHAMPVA covers a portion of medical services, hospital care, outpatient services, and prescriptions.
Burial Benefits
Finally, the VA provides essential benefits for burial, funeral, and plot expenses for family members of deceased veterans. Headstones and plaques for veterans interred in a columbarium or mausoleum are provided free of charge and shipped worldwide. Additionally, the VA offers a military funeral honors team to play taps and present the next of kin with an American flag.
Adding it All Up
It’s unfortunate that so many of America’s veterans experience mesothelioma, but it’s important that surviving family members are well-versed in the many different benefits that exist. Hopefully, this article provides some useful information to move forward.