Military asbestos exposure and related conditions

Who is covered

Exposures and service VA recognizes:

• Asbestos - Occupational Military Exposure
  Asbestos widely used in Navy ships, insulation, roofing, flooring, cement, pipes, brake linings. High-exposure occupations: shipyard workers, demolition crews, boiler-room personnel, pipefitters.
• Asbestos - Naval Shipboard
  Naval shipboard asbestos (TSI, boiler lagging, gaskets, packing) - pre-1980 Navy steam-plant ships.
• Asbestos - Brake / Clutch Friction Products
  Brake/clutch friction product asbestos exposure (aircraft, tracked vehicles, automotive).

To see how these conditions combine with others, use the combined-rating calculator.

Documents VA asks for

• DD-214: service period and MOS/rating
• Service treatment records / occupational records: documents MOS/rating with known asbestos exposure
• Medical diagnosis: asbestos-related condition (mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, pleural plaques)
• Doctor's nexus statement: links condition to in-service asbestos exposure
• Service records / ship assignment: documents steam-plant ship service
• Personnel records: confirms mechanic / crew chief / wheel shop duty
• Medical diagnosis + nexus letter: VA decides case-by-case

Related guides: Intent to File · C&P exam preparation · nexus letters

Legal authority and sources

VA recognition per https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/asbestos; M21-1 adjudication procedures