A Possible Risk Factor in Gerd and Barrett’s Esophagus: Asbestos Exposure

During their service years, veterans experience exposure to various toxins and often potentially develop diseases stemming from them later on. Gastrointestinal diseases are one of the severe consequences of military toxic exposure and generate annually around 500,000 ambulatory care visits in the US.

Among the risk factors for veterans developing illnesses of the GI tract is asbestos exposure. The fibrous mineral was the military's go-to material in WW2 for insulation and protection against chemical corrosion. Since the 1970s, asbestos has been classified as a carcinogen. Still, the industry ignored medical science's warnings, and asbestos-containing products were used in military assets, from barracks, airplanes, and vehicles to the ships built for the Navy.

Asbestos exposure is also a risk factor for developing benign or malignant illnesses due to having inhaled or ingested airborne asbestos fibers. Due to the decades-long latency period, asbestos conditions are life-altering, as they often reach advanced stages by their discovery. When asbestos fibers enter the body, they get lodged in the lining of organs, irritating and injuring them until tumors develop over time and eventually turn into asbestos-related cancer, such as:

• pharyngeal cancer
• colorectal cancer
• mesothelioma
• laryngeal cancer
• esophageal cancer
• urogenital cancer
• bronchial cancer
• lung cancer
• gastrointestinal cancer

Former Navy personnel of ships built before the 1980s diagnosed with one of the cancers mentioned above qualify for compensation and are eligible for filing claims if they have proof of asbestos exposure and medical papers stating the diagnosis.

Asbestos Fibers May Indirectly Cause Gerd and Barrett's Esophagus

More and more studies link occupational exposure to varied malignant conditions, some of them reaching back to their origins and revealing diseases that usually preceded cancers. Military toxic exposure appears lately in many contexts, among them the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This condition can either develop due to an event or incident during service but can also arise as a consequence of another illness or due to medication taken for service-connected diseases, including asbestos-related ones.

A simple heartburn isn't a disabling condition, but persistent and continuous acid reflux in GERD can certainly undermine a person's well-being. Among veterans, it is expected to develop GERD as a secondary condition of another service-connected illness and experience symptoms that can become severe enough to impact life negatively:

• regurgitating sour or bitter liquid
• burning pain rising into the throat
• choking sensation
• chest pain
• hyperacidity
• nausea

Acid reflux and GERD are often used as interchangeable terms, but even though both conditions cause the same symptoms, GERD is more severe than acid reflux. Usually, if you experience heartburn twice a week or more, you're most likely suffering from GERD. According to medical statistics, individuals with GERD have a higher risk of getting esophageal cancer. Moreover, in some cases, GERD doesn't manifest symptoms, and the condition remains undiagnosed and untreated until it develops into Barrett's esophagus (BE), which is a pre-malignant disease for esophageal cancer.

BE develops when stomach acid refluxes into the lower esophagus for a long time, damaging the inner lining. The longer someone has reflux, the more likely they are to develop Barrett's esophagus. To make things even more complicated, in most cases, BE may be asymptomatic in a substantial number of patients until the signs of cancer appear. Even though the risk of developing esophageal cancer is small, BE is associated with an increased risk of developing this malignancy. Endoscopy or imagistic tests typically reveal precancerous cells (dysplasia) while patients experience symptoms such as:

• persistent gastric reflux
• severe heartburn
• chest pain
• pain in the upper abdomen
• repeated burping
• water brash
• food stuck in the esophagus
• chronic cough
• sore throat
• hoarse voice

The VA recognizes secondary conditions as disabilities or diseases that emerge due to a service-connected condition. Veterans can access disability benefits for secondary conditions if they demonstrate a clear connection between their primary disease and their secondary disability.

Asbestos Diseases Are Often Misdiagnosed as Common Illnesses

Conditions linked to inhaling or ingesting toxic asbestos fibers are complex because they involve metabolic and immune processes that alter the DNA in major organs. Moreover, they often have symptoms that resemble common respiratory conditions, making an exact diagnosis difficult. Most doctors don't read these symptoms correctly and conclude wrong diagnoses, wasting precious time with treatments unfit for asbestos diseases.

To prevent such situations, veterans should request a second or third doctor's opinion outside the VA. You can considerably help the diagnostic process by being open about your time in the military and mentioning the chance of asbestos exposure during service. Being forthcoming with your doctor could help in timely discovering non-cancerous diseases like:

• pulmonary fibrosis
• asbestosis
• recurrent pneumonia
• emphysema
• rounded atelectasis
• chronic bronchitis
• pleural effusion
• pleural plaques
• pleural thickening
• COPD
• lung nodules and spots
• asthma

Even if these illnesses don't qualify a veteran for compensation, they tend to develop into cancer and should be monitored periodically. Pulmonary function tests and regular chest X-rays can detect malignant illnesses in their early stages, and a cancer diagnosis entitles veterans to file claims.

We Offer Help to Navy Veterans and Their Families

Navy personnel who served onboard ships built before the 1980s and developed service-related cancer have the right to file for compensation from the asbestos trust funds and the VA if they can show proof of asbestos exposure and medical documentation of their malignant disease.

Filing claims is bound to a statute of limitations, so contacting an attorney as soon as possible after receiving a diagnosis is advisable. This way, you can ensure your claims are submitted on time and won't have to deal with payment denial. If you are unsure whether or what type of financial reward you qualify for, we can help you learn more about your benefits. Should you wish to take legal steps, we can contact you with expert asbestos attorneys who will assist with the necessary documentation and represent you through the process.