Navy Occupational Ratings and Asbestos Exposure: Complete Risk Classification Guide
Executive Summary
This comprehensive reference documents all 110 U.S. Navy enlisted ratings and their official VA asbestos exposure risk classifications during the peak asbestos era (1940-1990). The VA Duty-MOS Asbestos Exposure Matrix classifies 18 Navy ratings as "Highly Probable" exposure and 32 ratings as "Probable" exposure—meaning 45.5% of all Navy occupational specialties carried significant asbestos risk. Peer-reviewed research from a 65-year cohort study demonstrates that high-risk engineering ratings face mesothelioma mortality rates 6.47 times higher than the general population. Navy veterans with mesothelioma qualify for both 100% VA disability compensation and legal claims against asbestos product manufacturers, with combined recovery potential exceeding $1 million through trust funds, settlements, and VA benefits.
The U.S. Navy's extensive use of asbestos-containing materials from the 1930s through the 1970s created what epidemiologists now recognize as one of the most significant occupational exposure disasters in American history. Every naval vessel constructed or refitted during this era contained hundreds of asbestos products—from boiler and pipe insulation to gaskets, packing materials, electrical cable wrapping, deck tiles, and fireproofing materials. WWII-era destroyers alone carried 24-30 long tons of thermal insulation, while steam propulsion systems contained approximately 85,000 pounds of asbestos materials. The confined, poorly-ventilated spaces characteristic of shipboard environments concentrated airborne fibers to levels that would be considered catastrophic by modern industrial hygiene standards.
Engineering department personnel bore the greatest burden of exposure. Boiler Technicians (BT), Machinist's Mates (MM), Water Tenders (WT), and Pipefitters worked in direct daily contact with asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing materials. These workers operated, maintained, and repaired steam propulsion systems in fire rooms and engine compartments where exposure levels routinely reached 40-150 fibers per cubic centimeter during maintenance operations—hundreds of times higher than today's OSHA permissible exposure limit of 0.1 f/cc. The documented 6.47 Standardized Mortality Ratio for these ratings means they died from mesothelioma at nearly seven times the rate of the general population.
The legal and compensation landscape for Navy veterans with mesothelioma has evolved significantly over recent decades. The 2019 Supreme Court decision in Air and Liquid Systems Corp. v. DeVries rejected the "bare metal defense" that equipment manufacturers had long used to avoid liability, holding that they have a duty to warn about dangers of asbestos-containing parts integrated into their equipment. This ruling dramatically expanded compensation options for Navy veterans. Today, affected veterans can pursue VA disability benefits (automatic 100% rating for mesothelioma), claims against multiple asbestos bankruptcy trust funds, and civil lawsuits against solvent manufacturers—with combined recovery routinely exceeding $1 million. For detailed information on specific vessels and their asbestos documentation, see the Navy Ships Asbestos Database.
ℹ️ Key Facts: Navy Occupational Ratings and Asbestos Exposure
|
What Is the VA Duty-MOS Asbestos Exposure Matrix?
This section explains the official Veterans Administration classification system that determines asbestos exposure probability based on military occupational specialty, establishing the foundation for service-connected disability claims and legal compensation.
The Department of Veterans Affairs developed a systematic framework to assess asbestos exposure probability by Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), creating the only formal governmental classification system for military asbestos exposure risk. This VA Duty-MOS Exposure Matrix provides presumptive evidence for compensation claims—meaning veterans in classified ratings face reduced burden of proof when establishing service connection.
The 2015 VA Duty-MOS Asbestos Exposure Matrix classifies Navy occupational specialties into three risk categories:
- Highly Probable (18 ratings, 16.4%) — Direct, frequent contact with asbestos-containing materials in enclosed, poorly-ventilated spaces
- Probable (32 ratings, 29.1%) — Regular but less intensive exposure through proximity to high-risk areas or periodic maintenance activities
- Minimal (60 ratings, 54.5%) — Limited direct contact, though secondary exposure remained possible throughout asbestos-contaminated vessels
"The VA's classification system provides critical evidentiary support for veterans seeking service connection," explains Paul Danziger of Danziger & De Llano. "Veterans in 'Highly Probable' and 'Probable' classifications face significantly reduced burden of proof when establishing that their mesothelioma resulted from military service."
The official reference for these classifications is M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.I.3.d of the VA Claims Manual. Importantly, the VA acknowledges that asbestos exposure is not exclusive to rated positions—exposure may be demonstrated through service records independent of MOS classification, meaning veterans in "Minimal" categories can still establish service connection through documented exposure evidence.
Which Navy Ratings Have "Highly Probable" Asbestos Exposure?
This section documents the 18 Navy ratings officially classified as having the highest asbestos exposure probability, representing occupations where personnel had direct, daily contact with asbestos-containing materials in confined shipboard spaces.
Engineering and Propulsion Ratings (Highest Risk)
The following engineering department ratings demonstrate the most severe documented exposure levels, with epidemiological studies confirming mortality rates 6.47 times higher than baseline populations:
BT — Boiler Technician [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Boiler Technicians operated, maintained, and repaired steam propulsion boilers—the highest-exposure environment aboard Navy vessels. BTs worked in fire rooms and boiler rooms where they directly handled boiler insulation containing 15% asbestos by weight, replaced asbestos gaskets on boiler doors and manholes, repacked valve stems with asbestos packing materials, and removed deteriorated lagging for inspections. Exposure intensity was extreme: WWII destroyers carried 24-30 long tons of thermal insulation, with steam systems containing approximately 85,000 pounds of asbestos materials.
Legal significance: BT cases have achieved the highest documented verdicts in Navy mesothelioma litigation, including a $40.1 million verdict for a veteran who served aboard USS Independence, USS Truckee, and USS Vulcan from 1973-1993, and a $32 million verdict for a boiler tender who served 18 years aboard seven Navy ships.
Status: Merged into Machinist's Mate (MM) on October 1, 1996. Veterans who served as BT prior to 1996 must establish their actual rating to demonstrate highest exposure classification.
WT — Water Tender [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Water Tenders maintained boiler water levels, operated feed pumps, and tested water quality in fire rooms—working in identical environments and exposure conditions as Boiler Technicians. The rating existed from 1884-1948 before merging into Boiler Tender. Veterans with WWII and immediate post-war service may have WT documented on service records.
Status: Merged into Boiler Tender (BT) in 1948; subsequently absorbed into MM in 1996.
FN — Fireman [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Firemen fired and tended boilers, operated and adjusted pumps, and performed entry-level engineering maintenance under supervision of Boiler Technicians. As the entry-level engineering rating, Firemen worked directly with boiler insulation during their progression toward BT or MM advancement. This non-rated designation (E-2/E-3) served as the pathway to rated engineering positions.
HT — Hull Maintenance Technician [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Hull Maintenance Technicians fabricated, installed, and repaired metal structures; maintained shipboard plumbing and marine sanitation systems; repaired decks, hulls, and ventilation ducting; and critically, installed and repaired insulation and lagging throughout the vessel. HTs experienced among the highest-intensity exposure due to direct pipe insulation work—cutting, fitting, and removing asbestos-containing materials in confined spaces during maintenance and repair operations.
FP — Pipefitter [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Pipefitters (1948-1958) installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems throughout naval vessels, with extremely high exposure from direct handling of pipe insulation—installation of new asbestos lagging, cutting and fitting insulation to pipes, and removing deteriorated materials for pipe repairs. The rating was merged into Shipfitter (SF) in 1958.
UT — Utilitiesman [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Seabee Utilitiesmen installed and maintained plumbing, pipe-fitting, and HVAC systems, operating water and wastewater treatment plants at shore installations. Exposure sources paralleled shipboard HT and FP ratings: pipe insulation installation and removal, gaskets and valve packing, boiler insulation, HVAC duct insulation, and asbestos-cement pipe. This rating remains active.
Fire Control and Sonar Systems (Highly Probable Classification)
| ✅ Why Fire Control and Sonar Ratings Carry "Highly Probable" Classification: Despite working with electronic equipment rather than insulation directly, these ratings achieved "Highly Probable" status because their workspaces were located adjacent to or below engine rooms with shared ventilation systems. Small, enclosed fire control centers and sonar compartments concentrated airborne asbestos fibers migrating from machinery spaces. Electronic equipment itself contained asbestos-insulated components, and extensive cable runs used asbestos-cloth wrapping throughout. |
FC — Fire Controlman [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Fire Controlmen operated, maintained, and repaired surface weapons fire control systems, radar, and fire control computers. Their workspaces in fire control centers and CIC were often located adjacent to engine spaces, with poor ventilation allowing asbestos fiber migration throughout connected compartments. Rating remains active.
FT — Fire Control Technician [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Fire Control Technicians maintained and repaired underwater fire control systems for torpedoes and missiles. Subspecialties included FT (surface) and FT(SS) (submarine). Confined weapons system spaces contained asbestos-insulated equipment and cable runs. Rating remains active.
ST — Sonar Technician [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Sonar Technicians operated and maintained sonar and underwater tracking equipment. Subspecialties include STG (surface) and STS (submarine). Sonar dome insulation, acoustic isolation materials, and electronic equipment spaces contained significant asbestos concentrations in confined, poorly-ventilated compartments. Rating remains active.
SO — Sonarman [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Historical rating (predecessor to ST) with identical exposure profile operating early acoustic detection equipment in confined shipboard spaces.
SoM — Soundman [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Rating changed to Sonarman in 1944; the earliest iteration of acoustic detection specialists facing exposure in equipment spaces throughout WWII.
Additional Highly Probable Ratings
B/BR — Boilermaker [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
B (WWII era) and BR (1956-1971) Boilermakers performed boiler fabrication and installation in shipyards—direct manufacture and installation of asbestos-insulated equipment. Merged into BT rating.
IM — Instrumentman [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Instrumentmen maintained precision instruments, control systems, and gauges throughout machinery spaces, working on instrumentation systems surrounded by asbestos insulation.
AQ — Aviation Fire Control Technician [HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Aviation Fire Control Technicians maintained aircraft fire control systems, weapons computers, and radar aboard aircraft carriers. Merged into Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) in 1991.
Which Navy Ratings Have "Probable" Asbestos Exposure?
This section documents the 32 Navy ratings classified as "Probable" exposure—occupations facing regular asbestos contact through proximity to high-risk areas, periodic maintenance activities, or work with asbestos-containing equipment and materials.
Engineering and Electrical Ratings (Probable)
MM — Machinist's Mate [PROBABLE — Nuclear subspecialty: HIGHLY PROBABLE]
Machinist's Mates operated, maintained, and repaired ship propulsion machinery, auxiliary equipment, steering engines, refrigeration, and HVAC systems. MMs performed organizational and intermediate-level maintenance on marine boilers, pumps, forced draft blowers, and heat exchangers. Subspecialties include MM (conventional surface), MM(SS) (submarine non-nuclear), and MM(N) (nuclear power).
Exposure sources included turbine insulation (internal and external), pump gaskets and packing (hundreds per ship), valve packing materials, condenser and evaporator gaskets, distillation equipment, and feed tank insulation. The $70.8 million verdict for machinist Robert Whalen (2014) and multiple settlements exceeding $5 million demonstrate substantial legal recovery potential. Rating remains active; absorbed BT rating in 1996.
EN — Engineman [PROBABLE]
Enginemen operated, serviced, and repaired internal combustion engines (diesel, gasoline), maintaining ship propulsion and auxiliary engines. Exposure sources included engine gaskets and packing, exhaust system insulation, turbocharger components, and auxiliary generator insulation. Rating remains active.
EM — Electrician's Mate [PROBABLE — Nuclear subspecialty elevated]
Electrician's Mates operated, maintained, and repaired electrical power generation, distribution, lighting, and control systems throughout the vessel. Subspecialties include EM (conventional) and EM(N) (nuclear power). Exposure sources included electrical cable insulation, wire cloth wrapping containing 5-10% asbestos, switchboard backing and insulation, generator and motor insulation, turbine generator components, and electrical panel fire barriers. Rating remains active.
IC — Interior Communication Technician [PROBABLE]
Interior Communication Technicians installed, maintained, and repaired shipboard communication systems, announcing systems, and alarm circuits. Exposure occurred through cable insulation, electrical component housings, and fire barriers in communication spaces. Rating remains active.
ET — Electronics Technician [PROBABLE]
Electronics Technicians operated, maintained, and repaired electronic equipment including radar, navigation, and communication systems. Subspecialties include ET (surface), ET(SS) (submarine), and historically ET(N) (nuclear). Exposure from electronic equipment insulation, cable wrapping, and equipment mounting insulation. Rating remains active.
GSM — Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) [PROBABLE]
Gas Turbine System Technicians (Mechanical) operated and maintained gas turbine propulsion systems. Exposure from turbine insulation, gaskets, and heat shields on modern gas turbine vessels. Rating remains active.
GSE — Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) [PROBABLE]
Gas Turbine System Technicians (Electrical) maintained electrical and electronic components of gas turbine systems. Exposure from cable insulation and electrical enclosure fire barriers. Rating remains active.
MR — Machinery Repairman [MINIMAL per VA but significant exposure]
Machinery Repairmen performed precision machining, welding, and metal fabrication, repairing and manufacturing shipboard machinery components. Secondary exposure occurred through repair of asbestos-insulated equipment. Rating remains active.
Aviation Maintenance Ratings (Aircraft Carriers)
| ⚠️ Aircraft Carrier Unique Exposure: All aviation ratings faced unique exposure aboard aircraft carriers, which contained over 300 asbestos products throughout the vessel. Asbestos was sprayed on flight decks, hangar bay bulkheads, and below flight decks to prevent friction fires. Aircraft brake dust during arrested landings created extreme exposure—airplane brakes were lined with asbestos, and friction during braking released significant fiber concentrations inhaled during maintenance operations. Aircraft epoxies and adhesives contained 15% asbestos as strengthening agents. |
AD — Aviation Machinist's Mate [PROBABLE]
Aviation Machinist's Mates (subspecialties ADJ jet engine, ADR reciprocating) maintained and repaired aircraft engines, fuel systems, and hydraulics. Exposure sources included aircraft brake linings (extreme exposure during brake jobs), engine gaskets and packing, exhaust system insulation, and hydraulic system components.
AE — Aviation Electrician's Mate [PROBABLE]
Aviation Electrician's Mates maintained and repaired aircraft electrical systems, generators, and instruments with exposure from aircraft electrical insulation and cable wrapping. Rating remains active.
AM — Aviation Structural Mechanic [PROBABLE]
Aviation Structural Mechanics (subspecialties AMS structural, AMH hydraulics, AME safety equipment) maintained and repaired aircraft structures, hydraulic systems, and flight safety equipment. Exposure from structural epoxies and adhesives, hydraulic component gaskets, and older firefighting gear. Subspecialties merged in 2001. Rating remains active.
AS — Aviation Support Equipment Technician [PROBABLE]
Aviation Support Equipment Technicians (merged from ASE electrical, ASH hydraulics, ASM mechanical in 1990) maintained ground support equipment with exposure from brake linings, gaskets, and electrical insulation. Rating remains active.
AT — Aviation Electronics Technician [PROBABLE]
Aviation Electronics Technicians maintained and repaired aircraft electronic systems with exposure from electronic equipment insulation and cable wrapping. Absorbed AX and AQ in 1991. Rating remains active.
ABE — Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Launch & Recovery) [PROBABLE]
Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Launch & Recovery Equipment) operated catapults, arresting gear, and barricades. Exposure from catapult and arresting gear brake systems, hydraulic equipment gaskets, flight deck coatings, and aircraft brake dust during arrested landings. Rating remains active.
ABF — Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) [PROBABLE]
Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Fuels) received, stored, and transferred aviation fuel with exposure from fuel system gaskets, pump packing, and valve components. Rating remains active.
ABH — Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handler) [PROBABLE]
Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Aircraft Handler) moved, positioned, and serviced aircraft on flight and hangar decks with exposure from flight deck non-skid coatings containing asbestos, aircraft brake dust during towing, hangar bay insulation and fire barriers, and aircraft handling equipment brake linings. Rating remains active.
Weapons and Ordnance Ratings (Probable)
MT — Missile Technician [PROBABLE]
Missile Technicians operated and maintained strategic missile systems (submarine-launched ballistic missiles) with exposure from missile tube insulation, electronic component insulation, and confined missile compartments. Rating remains active.
TM — Torpedoman's Mate [PROBABLE]
Torpedoman's Mates maintained and repaired torpedoes, torpedo tubes, mines, and underwater ordnance with exposure from torpedo tube gaskets, torpedo room insulation, and weapons handling equipment. Rating remains active.
Construction Battalion (Seabee) Ratings
BU — Builder [PROBABLE]
Seabee Builders built and repaired wood, masonry, and concrete structures; installed drywall, paneling, ceramic tile, and flooring; operated carpentry shops. Exposure from asbestos-cement products, floor tiles (vinyl asbestos), ceiling tiles, drywall compound, masonry mortar additives, and roofing materials. Rating remains active.
CE — Construction Electrician [PROBABLE]
Construction Electricians installed and maintained electrical systems and power generation with exposure from electrical cable insulation, panel backing, and transformer insulation. Rating remains active.
SW — Steelworker [PROBABLE]
Steelworkers erected steel structures; fabricated and installed structural steel shapes; performed welding and metal cutting with exposure from welding blankets and protective equipment, cutting torch insulation, structural fireproofing materials, and fire-resistant clothing. Rating remains active.
Additional Seabee Ratings: CM (Construction Mechanic) - MINIMAL, EA (Engineering Aide) - MINIMAL, EO (Equipment Operator) - MINIMAL. These ratings faced brake and clutch lining exposure from heavy equipment but lower overall exposure intensity.
What About Administrative and Support Ratings?
This section addresses the 60 Navy ratings classified as "Minimal" exposure, explaining why secondary and bystander exposure still created significant mesothelioma risk for personnel in these occupations.
| ✅ Important for "Minimal" Rating Veterans: The VA acknowledges that asbestos exposure is not exclusive to rated positions. Veterans in "Minimal" classifications can still establish service connection through documented exposure evidence. Navy ships contained asbestos throughout—berthing areas, passageways, galleys, offices, and common spaces. Personnel throughout the vessel experienced continuous secondary exposure from deteriorating insulation, shared ventilation systems, and 24/7 presence in contaminated environments. |
Secondary Exposure Mechanisms
While classified as "Minimal" exposure, personnel in administrative and support ratings faced significant secondary exposure risks:
- Berthing area exposure: Sailors slept in bunks positioned directly below asbestos-covered pipes that shed fibers daily from ship movement and vibration
- Shared ventilation: Poor air circulation distributed asbestos fibers from machinery spaces throughout the vessel
- 24/7 presence: Unlike civilian workers with 8-hour shifts, naval personnel lived continuously aboard contaminated vessels
- Omnipresent materials: Deck tiles, ceiling tiles, wall panels, and pipe insulation throughout all spaces contained asbestos
YN — Yeoman [MINIMAL with documented cases]
Yeomen performed administrative, clerical, word processing, personnel records, and correspondence duties. Secondary exposure occurred in ship's offices surrounded by asbestos-insulated piping. Yeomen also served watches as duty master-at-arms, damage control petty officers, and fire control team members—requiring movement throughout contaminated spaces. Mesothelioma cases have been documented in administrative ratings.
SK — Storekeeper [MINIMAL with documented cases]
Storekeepers (merged into Logistics Specialist (LS) in 2010) performed purchasing, receiving, and inventorying supplies. Exposure occurred in storerooms often adjacent to machinery spaces, through handling asbestos-containing supplies and parts, cleaning damaged insulation from storage areas, and working in powder and shot magazines during wartime operations.
MS — Mess Management Specialist [MINIMAL]
Mess Specialists (changed to Culinary Specialist (CS) in 2004) performed food service and galley operations. Exposure from galley equipment insulation (ovens, grills, steam tables), galley deck tiles and ceiling tiles, and pipe insulation overhead in galley and mess deck spaces.
HM — Hospital Corpsman [MINIMAL]
Hospital Corpsmen provided medical and dental care throughout the vessel. Medical spaces (sick bay) were often located deep in the ship near machinery spaces. HMs served throughout the vessel during general quarters, experiencing bystander exposure during damage control operations. Rating remains active.
BM — Boatswain's Mate [MINIMAL]
Boatswain's Mates performed seamanship, deck operations, cargo handling, and maintenance. Exposure from deck tiles (vinyl asbestos), non-skid deck coatings (some containing asbestos), anchor windlass brake linings, and paint products. VA determinations have confirmed minimal likelihood of exposure for BM rating, though individual cases may demonstrate higher exposure through specific service circumstances.
Additional "Minimal" Ratings: QM (Quartermaster), PN (Personnelman - merged to PS 2005), SH (Ship's Serviceman), DK (Disbursing Clerk - merged to PS 2005), LN (Legalman), MA (Master-At-Arms). All faced secondary exposure throughout contaminated vessels.
What Exposure Levels Did Navy Personnel Face?
This section presents the epidemiological evidence demonstrating the extraordinary mesothelioma mortality rates among Navy personnel, establishing the statistical foundation for legal claims.
The Atomic Veterans Study: 6.47x Mortality Rate
The definitive evidence for Navy rating exposure comes from a 65-year cohort study published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology (2019)—the longest occupational asbestos study in U.S. history. The study followed approximately 114,000 military personnel involved in 230 above-ground nuclear weapons tests between 1945-1962.
"The atomic veterans study provides irrefutable statistical evidence that Navy engineering ratings faced the highest mesothelioma risk of any occupational cohort studied," notes Rod De Llano of Danziger & De Llano. "A 6.47 times higher mortality rate—that's not a marginal increase, that's a catastrophic occupational hazard."
Key Findings:
| Population | Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Overall atomic veterans | 1.56 | 56% higher than general population |
| Navy personnel | 2.15 | 115% higher than general population |
| Enlisted personnel | 1.81 | 81% higher than general population |
| High-exposure ratings (BT, MM, WT, FP, FN) | 6.47 | 547% higher than general population |
| Lower-potential exposure | 1.35 | Moderate elevation |
| Minimal exposure | 1.28 | Slight elevation (secondary exposure) |
The study definitively attributed the large excess of mesothelioma deaths among atomic veterans to asbestos exposure aboard Navy ships—not radiation exposure. No excess mesothelioma mortality was observed in Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps personnel, confirming that naval service created unique occupational hazards.
Engine Room Personnel: 42.5% Asbestosis Rate
A radiological study of 3,324 long-term merchant marine seamen (1985-1987) provides additional quantification of engineering department exposure:
| Ship Department | Personnel Studied | Asbestotic Changes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Department | 920 | 391 | 42.5% |
| Deck Department | 820 | 301 | 36.6% |
| Steward Department | 981 | 278 | 28.4% |
| Multiple Departments | 541 | 167 | 30.9% |
This study demonstrates that engine room personnel experienced exposure intensity sufficient to cause radiologically detectable lung damage in nearly half of all workers—findings directly applicable to Navy BT, MM, EN, and engineering ratings who worked in identical shipboard conditions.
British and Australian Naval Veterans Study (2023)
A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports examined over 30,000 UK and Australian Navy personnel who served in the 1950s-1960s:
- Naval veterans showed mesothelioma rates comparable to occupations with highest reported incidence worldwide
- Navy-specific elevation not observed in other military branches
- Australian seamen: 27% of lung cancers attributable to asbestos
- British seamen: 12% of lung cancers attributable to asbestos
- Occurrence of asbestosis deaths in British naval veterans indicates threshold exposure of 2 fibers/ml-years exceeded
The study concluded: "Naval veterans have elevated rates of mesothelioma, not found in the other armed services, and attribution to onboard exposure to asbestos is non-contentious."
What Compensation Can Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma Recover?
This section documents the multiple compensation pathways available to Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, establishing that combined recovery routinely exceeds $1 million through simultaneous pursuit of all available sources.
VA Disability Benefits
Navy veterans with mesothelioma automatically qualify for 100% VA disability rating—the highest compensation level available. Unlike other service-connected conditions requiring rating percentage determination, mesothelioma's fatal prognosis triggers automatic maximum rating.
2025 VA Disability Rates for Mesothelioma:
| Veteran Status | Monthly Compensation |
|---|---|
| Single veteran (100% rating) | $3,831.30 |
| Married veteran (100% rating) | $4,044.91 |
| With spouse and child | $4,241.35 |
| Special Monthly Compensation (housebound) | +$134.95 |
| Aid & Attendance | +$2,479.07 |
| Maximum possible monthly | $6,351.87 |
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): Surviving spouses receive $1,612.75 monthly; children receive $342.46 monthly. CHAMPVA health insurance provides healthcare coverage for family members.
Legal Compensation
| ✅ Critical Fact: VA benefits and legal compensation operate completely independently. Navy veterans can pursue both tracks simultaneously—neither reduces the other. Combined recovery through VA disability, trust funds, and lawsuits routinely exceeds $1 million, with some cases achieving $2-3 million total recovery. |
Documented Navy Rating Verdicts and Settlements:
| Amount | Rating | Service Details | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40.1 million | BT | USS Independence, Truckee, Vulcan (1973-1993) | 2024 |
| $32 million | BT | Seven ships, 18 years fire room service | 2011 |
| $20 million | Shipfitter | Vietnam era, three vessels + Brooklyn Navy Yard | 2024 |
| $17 million | MM | Philadelphia Naval Shipyard civilian | Recent |
| $10.2 million | BT | U.S. Navy veteran | Recent |
| $9.9 million | BT | U.S. Navy veteran | Recent |
| $9.3 million | Navy veteran | Massachusetts family claim | Recent |
| $5.5 million | MM | U.S. Navy mechanic | Recent |
| $5.33 million | BT | Also postal carrier | Recent |
| $5 million | BT | USS Charles H. Roan (early 1960s) | 2008 |
| $4.42 million | BT | Boiler room repairman, Indiana | Recent |
Asbestos Trust Funds
Over $30 billion remains available in asbestos bankruptcy trust funds. Navy veterans qualify for expedited processing at trusts established by companies that supplied asbestos products to the military:
Navy-Relevant Trust Funds:
- Johns Manville Trust ($2.5 billion) — Supplied insulation for every U.S. Navy ship
- Owens Corning Trust ($5.2 billion) — Kaylo insulation in every engine room
- Combustion Engineering Trust ($1.8 billion) — Built boilers for 200+ Navy vessels
- Babcock & Wilcox Trust ($1.8 billion) — Boilers on destroyers and carriers
- Pittsburgh Corning Trust ($3.8 billion) — Unibestos insulation products
- Foster Wheeler Trust — Refitted Navy ships 1940s-1980s
Navy veterans typically file claims with 15-20 applicable trusts simultaneously, with combined recovery often reaching $250,000-$500,000 from trust funds alone.
How Did Rating Mergers Affect Exposure Documentation?
This section documents the historical consolidation of Navy ratings and explains how these mergers impact veterans' ability to document their true exposure levels for compensation claims.
BT to MM Merger: October 1, 1996
The most significant merger affecting exposure documentation occurred when Boiler Technician (BT) was absorbed into Machinist's Mate (MM) on October 1, 1996. BT was the 9th largest Navy rating prior to merger, reflecting the fleet's evolution away from steam propulsion toward gas turbines and nuclear power.
Documentation Impact:
- Veterans who served as BT prior to 1996 may have service records showing MM rating if records were updated after merger
- Legal claims must establish actual BT service during active years to demonstrate highest exposure classification
- Post-1996 MM rating includes both former BTs (highest exposure) and traditional MMs (moderate-high exposure)
- Rating lineage: Water Tender (1884-1948) → Boiler Tender/BT (1948-1996) → MM (1996-present)
Other Significant Mergers
| Original Rating | Merged Into | Year | Exposure Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WT (Water Tender) | BT (Boiler Tender) | 1948 | WWII veterans may have WT on records; identical exposure to BT |
| FP (Pipefitter) | SF (Shipfitter) | 1958 | FP had extremely high direct insulation exposure |
| AQ (Aviation Fire Control Tech) | AT | 1991 | Carrier-based; high exposure classification lost |
| AX (Aviation ASW Tech) | AT | 1991 | Similar exposure profile |
| PN (Personnelman) | PS | 2005 | Administrative; secondary exposure |
| DK (Disbursing Clerk) | PS | 2005 | Administrative; secondary exposure |
| SK (Storekeeper) | LS | 2010 | Moderate secondary exposure potential |
| SM (Signalman) | QM | 2003 | Minimal exposure; deck rating |
"When reviewing service records for potential claims, we must carefully analyze the dates of service relative to rating mergers," explains Michelle Whitman of Danziger & De Llano. "A veteran whose DD-214 shows 'MM' might actually have served as a Boiler Technician—the highest-exposure rating in the Navy—if their service occurred before the 1996 merger."
What Did the Navy Know About Asbestos Hazards?
This section documents the Navy's comprehensive knowledge of asbestos health hazards from the 1930s forward, establishing the foundation for manufacturer liability in legal claims.
| ⚠️ Critical Legal Finding: A peer-reviewed 2011 study in Inhalation Toxicology concluded: "The Navy was arguably one of the most knowledgeable organizations in the world regarding the health hazards of asbestos." Despite this knowledge, the Navy continued mandating asbestos use through military specifications until the mid-1970s, creating the foundation for manufacturer liability. |
Timeline of Navy Knowledge
1939: Navy begins recommending exposure controls. Memorandum from Medical Officer H.E. Jenkins to Boston Naval Yard manager recommended thoroughly wetting down asbestos-containing insulating material and that personnel wear respirators and protective gloves.
1941: Official Navy acknowledgment of asbestos as occupational hazard. Captain Ernest Brown, Navy Medical Corps: "One of the most important concerns of the Medical Department of the United States Navy today is industrial hygiene...there is a potential occupation disease hazard due to inhalation of asbestos dust among workers engaged in the manufacture of asbestos insulating covers."
1941: Commander Charles S. Stephenson reported to the Surgeon General: "We are having a considerable amount of work done in asbestos and from my observations, I am certain that we are not protecting the men as we should. This is a matter of official report from several of our Navy Yards."
1942: Dr. Phillip Drinker, Chief Health Consultant to U.S. Maritime Commission, documented health risks among Bath Iron Works shipyard workers—the first formal documentation of asbestos health impacts on Navy/shipyard workers.
Throughout WWII: Navy memorandums discussed use and stockpiling of amosite asbestos while stressing importance of ventilation and respirators. Critical contradiction: Despite documented knowledge, Navy specifications continued to require asbestos-containing materials on ships.
1975: Navy issued policy against using asbestos as thermal insulation.
1980: Navy stopped using asbestos products in new construction.
Legal Implications
The Navy's documented foreknowledge has critical legal implications:
- Navy immune from direct liability under Feres Doctrine (service-connected injuries)
- Product manufacturers NOT protected when they failed to warn of known dangers
- "Duty to warn" existed even when products met Navy specifications
- Courts have found manufacturers liable despite supplying products to Navy requirements
Common defendants in Navy mesothelioma cases include:
- Crane Company — Valves, gaskets, packing (most frequently cited)
- Foster-Wheeler — Boilers containing 250 lbs asbestos per unit
- Burnham, LLC — Commercial boilers
- Elliott Turbomachinery — Feed tanks, turbines
- Goodyear — Various asbestos products
What Documentation Supports Navy Rating Claims?
This section outlines the evidence requirements for establishing service-connected asbestos exposure and maximizing compensation recovery.
Service Record Documentation
Primary Evidence Required:
- DD-214 Discharge Papers — Showing dates of service, rating/MOS, units, and awards
- Service Treatment Records — Any respiratory complaints or exposures noted during service
- Personnel Records — Unit assignments, ship logs, deployment orders
- Rating Verification — Establishing actual rating during service (critical for pre-merger ratings)
Exposure Pathway Documentation
Ship Assignment Records:
Ship logs and assignment records document specific vessels served aboard. The VA and plaintiff attorneys maintain databases confirming asbestos presence on ships constructed before 1980. Key ship classes with documented heavy asbestos content include:
- Aircraft Carriers: All CVs and CVNs before 1980
- Battleships: Iowa-class, South Dakota-class
- Cruisers: Baltimore-class, Cleveland-class
- Destroyers: Fletcher-class, Gearing-class, Spruance-class (24-30 long tons thermal insulation per ship)
- Submarines: All diesel boats, early nuclear submarines
- Amphibious: LSTs, LPDs, LHAs
- Auxiliaries: Oilers, tenders, repair ships
Medical Documentation
- Pathology reports with mesothelioma diagnosis
- Imaging studies (CT, PET scans)
- Pulmonary function tests
- Oncology records and treatment history
- Nexus letter connecting diagnosis to military service (required for VA claims)
How Do Submarine Crews Face Unique Exposure?
This section addresses the elevated exposure risks specific to submarine service, documenting how the unique submarine environment created intensified asbestos hazards.
| ℹ️ Submarine-Specific Risk Factors: While no epidemiological studies directly compare submarine versus surface fleet mesothelioma rates, multiple factors suggest elevated submarine exposure: (1) Continuous air recirculation distributing asbestos throughout the vessel, (2) Tighter confined spaces than surface ships, (3) No escape from contaminated atmosphere during deployment, and (4) Concentrated asbestos in critical areas including control centers, torpedo rooms, reactor compartments, and sonar spaces. |
Submarine-Specific Ratings
MM(SS) — Machinist's Mate (Submarine) and MM(N) — Nuclear ratings operated in environments with continuous exposure. Nuclear submarine machinist cases document insulation dust exposure during shipyard overhauls and gasket replacement operations releasing 300,000 times background asbestos levels.
ET(SS) — Electronics Technician (Submarine) personnel maintained electronic systems throughout the submarine, with cable runs and equipment insulation creating continuous exposure in confined spaces.
STS — Sonar Technician (Submarine) ratings achieved "Highly Probable" VA classification due to work in confined sonar equipment spaces with poor ventilation and concentrated asbestos-containing components.
FT(SS) — Fire Control Technician (Submarine) personnel maintained torpedo and missile fire control systems in confined weapons system spaces with high asbestos concentration.
Related Resources
This section provides navigation to related wiki content for comprehensive mesothelioma claim guidance.
Shipyard Exposure Documentation
Norfolk Naval Shipyard • Brooklyn Navy Yard • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard • Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard • Mare Island Naval Shipyard • Long Beach Naval Shipyard • Puget Sound Naval Shipyard • Philadelphia Naval Shipyard • Charleston Naval Shipyard • Boston Naval Shipyard • Hunters Point Naval Shipyard • Electric Boat
Ship Database
Navy Ships Asbestos Database — Comprehensive database of 3,300+ Navy vessels with documented asbestos exposure
Occupational Exposure Profiles
Marine Engineering Workers • Boilermakers • Insulation Workers • Plumbers and Pipefitters • Power Plant Workers • Construction Workers
Legal and Compensation Resources
Veterans Benefits • Asbestos Trust Funds • Asbestos Manufacturers • Johns Manville Trust • Owens Corning Fiberglas Trust • Pittsburgh Corning Trust • WR Grace Trust
Medical Information
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers • Clinical Trials • Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
Sources and References
This article synthesizes information from the following authoritative sources:
- VA Duty-MOS Asbestos Exposure Matrix, M21-1, Part IV, Subpart ii, 1.I.3.d (2015)
- Jagger et al., "Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma mortality among atomic veterans," International Journal of Radiation Biology (2019)
- Franke & Paustenbach, "Government and Navy knowledge regarding health hazards of asbestos: A state of the science evaluation (1900 to 1970)," Inhalation Toxicology (2011)
- Reid et al., "Asbestos-related cancer in naval personnel," Scientific Reports (2023)
- U.S. Navy Personnel Command rating descriptions and historical manuals
- Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery publications
- Published court decisions and verdict reports in Navy mesothelioma litigation
Get Help Today
If you or a family member served in the Navy and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to substantial compensation through VA disability benefits, asbestos trust funds, and civil litigation.
|
Free, Confidential Case Evaluation Call (855) 699-5441 or visit dandell.com/contact-us No upfront fees • Experienced representation • National practice |
| ⚠ Statute of Limitations Warning: Filing deadlines vary by state from 1-6 years from diagnosis. Texas allows 2 years from diagnosis or discovery. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights. |