Holt Library: Veterans: Health

Health and military service

Navy: Asbestos
Navy ships contained tons of asbestos. Those serving on a ship prior to 1980 were most likely exposed to asbestos at some point. This is why Navy veterans make up the highest percentage of mesothelioma patients compared to other branches of the military.
Camp LeJeune Water Contamination
If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain diseases later on. If you have qualifying service at Camp Lejeune and a current diagnosis of one of the conditions listed below, you may be able to get disability benefits.
Agent Orange
The U.S. military used Agent Orange to clear plants and trees during the Vietnam War. If you served in Vietnam or in or near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during the Vietnam Era—or in certain related jobs—you may have had contact with this herbicide. We refer to this as having a presumption of contact. Find out if you can get disability compensation and other benefits for illnesses we believe are caused by Agent Orange.
Army: Asbestos
Army veterans are at high risk of military asbestos exposure, which may cause mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure was common in Army installations. Army veterans with service-related mesothelioma can file VA claims for 100% disability compensation and free treatment.
Download a free 2019 Veterans Guide.
Air Force: Asbestos
Many U.S. Air Force veterans have been exposed to asbestos in military bases and aircraft. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma can receive disability compensation and free cancer treatment if they file a VA claim to have their cancer recognized as service connected.
Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard veterans experienced as much asbestos exposure as Navy veterans, who have the highest risk of developing asbestos-related diseases of all the military branches. The Coast Guard is a tenth the size of the Navy, leading to a comparable rate of mesothelioma but fewer cases overall.
Marines
Members of the U.S. Marine Corps have been exposed to asbestos in ships, airplanes and armored vehicles. Military housing for Marines also contained asbestos products. This has caused many Marine veterans to develop incurable diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

National Veterans Sports Programs and Rehabilitation Events

VA Adaptive Sports and Therapeutic Arts
These specialized rehabilitation events aim to optimize Veterans’ independence, community engagement, well-being, and quality of life.

Resources: Health

Mesothelioma Veterans Center
U.S. Veterans account for 30% of all malignant mesothelioma diagnoses caused by asbestos exposure. We’ve helped hundreds of veterans receive VA benefits, find treatment options and access financial compensation.
Caregiver benefits
Family caregivers are often an essential part of health care for U.S. veterans. However, caring for a loved one in need can be physically, financially, and emotionally challenging. Thankfully, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides several benefits designed to give caregivers the support they need.
Jackson County Veterans Office
828-631-2231
Office hours: Monday through Friday - 8:00am-5:00pm
100 County Services Park
Sylva, NC 28779
Vehicles for Veterans
Our donation program is a 501(c)(3) vehicle donation program benefiting disabled veterans.
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Our car donation program offers a simple alternative to selling or trading in your unwanted vehicle. In return for your donation, you receive the maximum possible tax deduction. Best of all, your donation helps organizations to provide assistance to disabled veterans and their families. Knowing that your car donation helps to provide transition services, help for homeless veterans, advocacy, employment assistance and more is something you can be proud of.

You have NO costs.
Free pick-up, running or not.
We take care of all the additional paperwork.
We issue you with an IRS tax receipt for your records.
We'll pick up your donation when it's most convenient
We take cars, boats, RVs, Campers and ATV’s

Asbestos

How Asbestos Makes People Sick
It’s nearly impossible to mention asbestos in a conversation and not have someone reply “doesn’t that give you cancer?” — and, to be honest, yes it can. In fact, that’s just one of the conditions that exposure to asbestos can cause.
Asbestos in North Carolina
Ranking in U.S. for mesothelioma & asbestosis deaths: 12th
Mesothelioma Deaths: 1,083
Asbestosis Deaths: 336
Total Deaths: 1,419

With three large military bases, veterans who served in the state may have been exposed to asbestos at their barracks or training facility. Workers at the state’s mines, power plants, chemical factories and schools may have been exposed to asbestos.

Mines in North Carolina were once a major source of asbestos-contaminated talc. Talc and asbestos often occur together in the same geological formations.

Talc suppliers who operated mines in North Carolina have been sued for exposing consumers to asbestos. One record-setting lawsuit against Whittaker, Clark & Daniels resulted in an $18 million verdict in 2016.

The following year, a government-licensed laboratory in Greensboro, North Carolina, discovered asbestos fibers in cosmetics marketed to young girls, prompting the national retail chain Justice to withdraw a line of products.

However, this time the contaminated talcum powder in question had been sourced from China, rather than local mines.

Occupations and Environmental Areas at Risk

Naturally occurring asbestos is found in the western portion of the state around the Appalachian Mountain range. Known asbestos deposits are found in eight counties, and some of these deposits are former mine locations where many workers were heavily exposed to asbestos.

More information on asbestos in North Carolina can be found here.

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Journal articles

A lifeline in the dark: Breaking through the stigma of veteran mental health and treating America's combat veterans
This article identifies common causes of veteran reluctance to treatment, to combat the negative stigma around veteran mental healthcare, to help veterans be better understood in treatment, and to offer hope to those impacted both directly and indirectly by veteran mental health difficulties.
Comparing cataract surgery complication rates in veterans receiving VA and community care.
Objectives: To compare 90-day postoperative complication rates between Veterans receiving cataract surgery in VA vs Community Care (CC) during the first year of implementation of the Veterans Choice Act.