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During the last century, asbestos has been widely used in the U.S. military, posing a potential exposure threat to service members. While the military discontinued asbestos use in the late 1970s, various locations on bases, ships, and vehicles still contain the toxic material. With asbestos overly present in military properties, avoiding exposure was virtually impossible.
Moreover, many countries where military personnel served also used asbestos and continue doing so even today, perpetuating the risk of inhaling or ingesting these toxic mineral threads. Thanks to its versatility and insulating properties, the hazardous material was liberally applied in nearly every component of naval vessels built before the 1980s. It led to thousands of veterans developing serious diseases decades later as a consequence of their time on these ships.
One incapacitating consequence of exposure to the microscopic asbestos particles is pneumonitis. This condition typically occurs after toxic exposure and due to an extra strong defense response by the body's immune system to an irritating substance. Although slightly similar in name, pneumonitis is not pneumonia. While localized infections cause the latter, pneumonitis refers to lung tissue inflammation and has two primary categories:
- infectious pneumonitis (pneumonia) - is the inflammation and swelling of the air sacs in the lungs caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
- non-infectious pneumonitis - is generally caused by inhaling irritants like smoke, dust, or chemicals.
Pneumonitis generates physical manifestations ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to respiratory failure. Typically, people with pneumonitis experience shortness of breath and sometimes a dry cough; other symptoms may include:
- malaise
- fever
- dyspnea
- flushed and/or discolored skin
- sweating
- small and fast inhalations
Without proper treatment, pneumonitis can turn into chronic pneumonitis, causing fibrosis of the lungs and its effects:
- difficulty breathing
- food aversion
- lethargy
When left untreated, chronic pneumonitis may lead to end-stage fibrosis, respiratory failure, and death. A chest X-ray or CT scan is necessary for the diagnostic process, as pneumonitis is often challenging to recognize and discern from other interstitial lung diseases. Currently available diagnostic procedures include:
- patient history and possible exposure evaluation
- high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT)
- bronchoalveolar lavage with lymphocytosis
- lung biopsy
Asbestos Exposure Behind Lung Tissue Inflammation in Pneumonitis
Most of the lung diseases stemming from asbestos exposure have been diagnosed in former shipyard workers and Navy veterans whose jobs exposed them to airborne asbestos fibers over many years with no respiratory protection or personal protective equipment.
The ship's enclosed working spaces, poor ventilation, and frequent disturbances of asbestos-containing materials were the perfect medium for exposure to considerable amounts of asbestos dust. When the long process of asbestos fibers causing irritation, inflammation, and scarring advances, pneumonitis is the first illness that develops. The disease is classified into several different subtypes:
- hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- radiation pneumonitis
- acute interstitial pneumonitis
- chemical pneumonitis
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is an interstitial lung condition after repeated exposure to hazardous substances. Over time, individuals with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and with a history of occupational asbestos exposure may develop:
- clubbing of fingers and toes
- irreversible pulmonary fibrosis
Due to the irreversible scarring of lung tissue caused by the inhaled asbestos dust, veterans with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis may suffer recurrent exacerbations. These flare-ups are defined by symptoms worsening and can lead to frequent hospital admissions.
Even if it's an incapacitating disease, with a pneumonitis diagnosis alone, veterans are not eligible for compensation. However, given that the rate of misdiagnosis and the cancer risk is high with asbestos exposure, requesting a second and even third opinion outside the VA is strongly recommended. Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests are a necessity in tracking the evolution of benign conditions and can quickly spot malignant transformations; an asbestos cancer diagnosis will qualify veterans for claims.
It's essential to remember that eligibility has a statute of limitations of up to five years from the date of diagnosis. Family members of deceased veterans can file a claim for three years from the date of the loved one's passing.
Assisting Navy Veterans in Receiving Their Rightful Compensation
Navy veterans who served between World War II and the late 1970s and were diagnosed with cancer linked to their asbestos exposure qualify for filing compensation claims with the asbestos trust funds and the VA upon proof of asbestos exposure and medical documents about one of these conditions:
- pharyngeal cancer
- colorectal cancer
- mesothelioma
- laryngeal cancer
- esophageal cancer
- urogenital cancer
- bronchial cancer
- lung cancer
- gastrointestinal cancer
Although asbestos lawsuits are complex, an attorney specializing in asbestos cases and professional competence in the field can significantly help. If your health doesn't allow you to engage in the legal process, a family member can help gather the necessary documents supporting your claim. We can help by contacting you with skillful lawyers who will assist you in receiving the repayment you deserve for your pain and suffering.