Using VA Health Care for Mesothelioma Treatment
The VA health care system is a national network of medical centers and doctors available specifically for veterans. Through this system, U.S. veterans can receive specialty care for service-connected health problems from medical experts.
Since veterans are at a high risk of mesothelioma, the VA has partnered with some of the country’s leading mesothelioma doctors to treat veterans with this cancer. Veterans can access this care by applying for VA health care benefits.
Medical services provided by the VA include:
- Chemotherapy and radiation
- Geriatric and extended care
- Medications
- Mental health services
- Mesothelioma surgeries
- Regular checkups
- VA-sponsored clinical trials
The Mesothelioma Hope team — made up of fellow U.S. veterans, VA-accredited claims agents, and trusted Patient Advocates — can help you pursue VA health care benefits and financial compensation.
Learn more in our Free Veterans Compensation Guide, which you can download right now.
VA Health Care Eligibility Requirements
Your VA health care eligibility depends on your discharge status (you don’t qualify if you were dishonorably discharged) and when you served in the military.
You may have to meet a “minimum duty” requirement if you want to access VA health care. This requirement is usually two years of full service if you joined the military after September 7, 1980, or went into active duty after October 16, 1981.
The minimum duty requirement may be waived if you served before September 7, 1980, or if you were discharged early due to a hardship or service-related disability.
VA Health Care Priority Groups
After applying for VA health care, you will be placed within a priority group, which affects how much you’ll pay for your medical care.
If you have mesothelioma, you will likely be assigned to Group 1 (highest priority) because the cancer is considered a 100% disability by the VA.
Group 1 health care benefits may include:
- No copay for your first three urgent care visits
- No copays for in-hospital care
- No cost for medications
Contact us now for help filing for or increasing your VA benefits to 100% after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Veterans with mesothelioma a wide range of VA benefits after a diagnosis. Call us today at (866) 608-8933 to learn about these benefits and how to access them. View Transcript.
Duration: 00 min 51 sec
Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are entitled to several different types of benefits from the VA to include disability benefits, health care benefits, [and] there are even survivor benefits for those with asbestos-related diseases.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of their service in the military are likely to receive a benefit of $3,500 of monthly income tax-free to the veteran.
Veterans with mesothelioma who are exposed while they were in the service are also entitled to private benefits as well, and we encourage veterans to call Mesothelioma Hope so that we can work together to help them file for VA benefits.
Where Can I Get Mesothelioma Treatment Through the VA?
The VA has three medical centers that treat veterans with mesothelioma. Learn more about each center below.
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
For over 20 years, the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center has worked with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program to treat veterans with pleural mesothelioma.
The facility offers all standard forms of mesothelioma treatment and several newer therapies.
Notable medical treatments available at this facility include:
- Cryoablation: This technique involves using extreme cold to shrink mesothelioma tumors
- Immunotherapy: This treatment trains the immune system to target and destroy mesothelioma cells
- Pleurectomy with decortication (P/D): A surgery that removes cancerous tumors from the lung lining but does not remove the lung itself
The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center also specializes in treating sarcomatoid mesothelioma — the most aggressive mesothelioma cell type.
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center Doctors
The head of mesothelioma surgery at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is Dr. Robert Cameron. As the creator of the P/D surgery, he is one of the world’s leading experts on mesothelioma treatment.
Under Dr. Cameron’s leadership, the care team at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center works to improve patient lifespans and research new, effective treatments.
“We treat mesothelioma like a chronic disease, similar to diabetes or high blood pressure. And these are both diseases that you can’t cure, but people can live for an extremely long period of time if they’re controlled.”
We can help you pursue VA health care services right now: Call (866) 608-8933 to learn more.
VA Boston Health Care System
The VA Boston Health Care System treats pleural mesothelioma through a partnership with Brigham & Women’s Hospital, one of the top mesothelioma hospitals in the world.
Doctors at the VA Boston Health Care System can perform two types of life-extending mesothelioma surgeries: the P/D and the extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), which removes cancerous tumors and the lung closest to them.
Dr. Daniel Wiener currently leads the Boston VA’s mesothelioma treatment team.
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, which works in tandem with the Baylor College of Medicine, established its mesothelioma program in 2019.
Mesothelioma Doctors at the DeBakey VA Medical Center
Dr. Lorraine Cornwell leads the mesothelioma program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA and collaborates with Dr. Taylor Ripley, another leading mesothelioma doctor, to help military veterans get the care they deserve.
“The work we’re doing with the VA as we ramp up and start to see more and more patients with mesothelioma in Houston, has the Baylor program right across the street to support that as it grows.”
In addition, peritoneal mesothelioma specialist Dr. Eugene A. Choi is also available to treat veterans with mesothelioma through this program. This is very important since almost all other VA mesothelioma specialists treat pleural mesothelioma.
Looking to access VA health care services from one of these facilities? Connect with our caring Patient Advocates who can help you get started.
Our trusted advocates with 65+ years combined experience are ready to assist you.
How to Access Local VA Health Care
Local VA hospitals may refer veterans who do not live near Los Angeles, Boston, or Houston to approved civilian mesothelioma cancer centers through the MISSION Act.
The VA must usually sign off on requests for local care. Once this is complete, veterans can receive treatment from a non-VA provider at no extra cost. Veterans who do not get prior approval from the VA may be charged in full.
You can get a list of approved community care providers by visiting the official VA website, va.gov.
Filing for Mesothelioma VA Health Care Benefits
You can apply for VA health care online, over the phone, or by mail. You can also bring your completed application to the VA medical center closest to you.
You’ll need the following to apply for VA health care benefits:
- VA Form 10-10EZ (the application)
- Your latest tax return
- Insurance card information
- Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and your qualified dependents
- Medical records related to your mesothelioma diagnosis
Don’t wait to access some of the best mesothelioma doctors and cancer centers in the country. Our Patient Advocates can help you pursue VA health care, monthly financial payouts, and other benefits. Download your Free Veterans Compensation Guide right now to learn more.
Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The information on this page is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.
VA Health Care for Mesothelioma FAQs
Does mesothelioma qualify for disability?
Yes, mesothelioma may qualify for VA disability benefits, including low-cost VA health care copays, because this cancer is so aggressive.
As a result, you or a U.S. veteran you love can access key mesothelioma treatments without worrying how to pay for them.
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is typically given a 100% rating by the VA. This means veterans with this cancer have little to no costs for VA health care services as they’re considered totally disabled.
Contact us now for help increasing your VA rating after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Our team includes VA-accredited attorneys and fellow U.S. veterans who can make the process easier for you.
Will the VA cover my cancer treatment?
Yes. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma or another service-connected cancer, the VA health care system helps cover many of the costs of treatment by charging little to no co-pays.
Some of the world’s top mesothelioma specialists are within the VA’s network, allowing a veteran you love to get the best care possible.
What types of cancer qualify for VA benefits?
U.S. veterans with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and many other types of cancer may qualify for low-cost or free medical treatments thanks to VA health care benefits.
Call Mesothelioma Hope at (866) 608-8933 to find out how to access VA health care and other benefits.
Do I need VA health care to access other mesothelioma veterans benefits?
No — VA health care is optional. You can still see your primary care providers with private insurance and access other VA benefits like disability compensation.
What is the VA rating schedule for lung cancer?
The VA typically rate sveterans with lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure at 100%. These veterans can get top-notch medical services at little to no cost thanks to VA health care.
How We Can Help
