Mesothelioma VA Disability Rating
Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of respiratory cancer caused by asbestos exposure. The VA rates mesothelioma at 100 percent disabling due to its severe impacts on veterans’ daily functioning. Other asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and pleural plaques, are rated on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent, depending on their severity.
Asbestos exposure is common among veterans. The PACT Act recently classified respiratory cancer, including mesothelioma, as a presumptive condition for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances and burn pits during their service. This presumption means that if you meet the specific service requirements, you do not have to prove that your mesothelioma is service-connected to receive benefits, streamlining the application process and improving access to benefits.
How Does the VA Rate Mesothelioma?
The VA rates asbestos-related conditions differently depending on the nature and severity of the condition.
Mesothelioma VA Disability Rating
The VA disability rating for mesothelioma is 100 percent due to the condition’s debilitating symptoms and impact on daily functioning. A single veteran with no dependents may receive up to $3,831.30 in monthly disability compensation. Additional compensation is available if a spouse, children, or parents depend on you for income.
Generally, to qualify for a VA disability rating, you must demonstrate that your condition is connected to your military service. However, the PACT Act has recently classified mesothelioma and other respiratory cancers as presumptive conditions, meaning you do not have to prove your mesothelioma is service-connected if your military service meets certain criteria.
Asbestosis VA Rating
The VA assigns a disability rating for asbestosis on a scale of 10 to 100 percent. The general rating formula used to evaluate the severity of disease and compensation rates relies on testing.
The VA uses two tests to rate lung disease: forced vital capacity, or FVC, and the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide by a single breath, or DLCO-SB. An FVC test evaluates your lungs’ ability to forcefully expel air, while a DLCO-SB test measures your lungs’ ability to move oxygen into your blood.
Doctors may also evaluate your VO2 max, or oxygen uptake. This test measures how well your muscles can extract oxygen from your blood. However, to qualify for a VA rating based on VO2 results, you must have cardiorespiratory limitations, such as pulmonary hypertension, in addition to asbestosis.
| VA Disability for Asbestosis Rating | Test Results | Base VA Asbestosis Benefits for Veterans Without Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | FVC of 75 to 80% predicted, or DLCO-SB of 66 to 80 percent predicted | $171.23 |
| 30% | FVC of 65 to 74% predicted, or DLCO-SB of 56 to 65 percent predicted | $537.42 |
| 60% | FVC of 50 to 64% predicted, or DLCO-SB of 40 to 55 percent predicted, or maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 mL/kg/min oxygen consumption with respiratory limitation | $1,395.93 |
| 100% | FVC less than 50% predicted, or DLCO-SB less than 40% predicted, or maximum exercise capacity less than 15 mL/kg/min oxygen consumption with respiratory limitation or pulmonary hypertension or requires oxygen therapy | $3,831.30 |
Pleural Plaques and Effusions VA Rating
Pleural plaques are a type of fibrosis in which the outer lining of the lungs becomes inflamed and stiff, impacting your ability to breathe. Pleural effusions are a similar condition characterized by fluid buildup in the same area. The severity of these conditions varies, so the VA assigns ratings on a scale from 10 percent to 100 percent.
The VA primarily assesses the disability ratings for pleural plaques and effusions by measuring DLCO-SB. However, for ratings of 60 percent and 100 percent, VA doctors also account for the VO2 max result to measure the disease’s impact on your cardiorespiratory function.
| VA Disability for Pleural Plaques Rating | Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO-SB) | Maximum Exercise Capacity Minimum Oxygen Consumption with Cardiorespiratory Limitation (VO2 Max) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 66 to 80% predicted | - |
| 30% | 56 to 65% predicted | - |
| 60% | 40 to 55% predicted | 15 to 20 ml/kg |
| 100% | Less than 40% predicted | Below 15 ml/kg |
How Can I Get a VA Disability Rating?
To receive a VA disability rating for your mesothelioma or asbestos-related condition, you must apply for benefits with the VA. Your application must contain a complete medical record demonstrating your condition and its impact on your life. Test results such as FVC, DLCO-SB, and VO2 max are critical for mesothelioma and asbestos-related illness claims, so it’s generally helpful to have these results before you apply.
You must also complete and submit VA Form 21-526EZ. You can complete this form and submit it online, by mail, or in person. Trained veterans’ advocates, such as the attorneys in our network, are also available to help you complete your application.
Once your claim has been received, the VA will review your application. This lengthy process often takes months. If the VA requires more evidence from you, it will send you a packet with additional forms.
Disability Compensation Rates
Disability compensation rates for mesothelioma and asbestos-related conditions vary depending on your disability rating and number of dependents. These rates are determined annually and updated for inflation. The 2025 rates are as follows:
| Disability Rating | Single Veteran with No Dependents | Veteran with Spouse | Veteran with Spouse and One Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $175.51 | $175.51 | $175.51 |
| 20% | $346.95 | $346.95 | $346.95 |
| 30% | $537.42 | $600.97 | $648.42 |
| 40% | $774.16 | $859.24 | $922.16 |
| 50% | $1,102.04 | $1,208.64 | $1,287.04 |
| 60% | $1,395.93 | $1,524.05 | $1,617.93 |
| 70% | $1,759.19 | $1,907.81 | $2,018.19 |
| 80% | $2,044.89 | $2,225.04 | $2,340.89 |
| 90% | $2,297.96 | $2,489.63 | $2,630.96 |
| 100% | $3,831.30 | $4,044.91 | $4,201.35 |
Eligibility for VA Benefits for Mesothelioma & Asbestos-Related Conditions
To be eligible for VA benefits for your mesothelioma or asbestos-related condition, you must meet the following criteria:
- You have been exposed to asbestos during your military service. Generally, the VA requires proof that your condition resulted from your service. However, thanks to the PACT Act, you may not have to prove this exposure through explicit documentation.
- You have developed an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis. You cannot receive disability compensation without proving your disability. You will need to provide medical documentation to demonstrate your condition.
- You received an honorable discharge from the military. You can’t receive disability benefits with a dishonorable or other-than-honorable discharge.
Presumptive Service Connection Under the PACT Act
The PACT Act recently expanded veterans’ access to disability benefits by establishing a list of presumptive conditions. These conditions are automatically presumed to be service-connected, so you don’t need to prove that your service caused the disability. Your mesothelioma or other respiratory cancer is a presumptive condition if you served in the following periods in these combat zones:
| Period of Service | Service Location |
|---|---|
| On or after 9/11/2001 |
|
| On or after 8/2/1990 |
|
Asbestos Exposure Eligibility for VA Pension
Some veterans are eligible to receive a VA pension in addition to disability benefits. If you are over 65, permanently and totally disabled, living in a nursing home, or receiving federal disability benefits, you might be eligible for the pension program.
Your household net worth must fall within certain limits to receive a VA pension. In 2025, the net worth limit, including assets and all household income, is $159,240. If you are married, your and your spouse’s income count toward this limit.
Common Reasons for Denying Mesothelioma Disability Claims
There are a few common reasons that the VA may deny your mesothelioma disability claim. The following are some of the reasons for denial we see most frequently:
Insufficient Medical Evidence
The VA relies on a complete medical record to assess your disability. If you haven’t provided sufficient medical documentation, or if the VA doctor who conducts your compensation and pension exam doesn’t believe there is enough medical evidence of your claim, your claim may be denied. If you’ve never undergone tests for your condition, your claim will likely be denied on the same grounds.
Medical Testing and the PACT Act
Under the PACT Act, all respiratory cancer is presumed to be service-connected if your service meets the criteria. However, you still must provide medical test results to corroborate your diagnosis.
Discrepancies in Documentation
Your medical records must consistently demonstrate that you have the condition you claim to have. If your records are spotty or the descriptions of your condition vary from document to document, you may receive a denial.
What Can I Do if My Mesothelioma Disability Claim Has Been Denied?
If the VA has denied your disability claim for mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, or you feel the rating assessed by the VA is too low, you have options. You can appeal the VA’s initial decision, giving you another chance to have your case examined.
A knowledgeable attorney can help you pursue an appeal and give you the best shot at approval. Your lawyer can walk you through why your claim was denied, refer you for independent medical exams, gather critical evidence, and represent you at a hearing before a judge from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if necessary.
At Veterans Guide, we work hard to help disabled veterans secure the benefits they deserve. If you need to appeal a VA benefits denial or increase an existing VA rating, contact us online today for your free legal consultation.
Client Reviews
SHELLY DONNETT'E MILTON DAVIS Want to Increase Your VA Rating?
