M21-1 Manual  /  Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section C

Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure

M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section C

Overview

In This Section

 This section contains the topic “Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure.”


1. Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure


Introduction

 This topic contains information on developing claims for SC for asbestos-related diseases, including
  • evidentiary review for asbestos exposure
  • use of Navy Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to determine probability of in-service asbestos exposure
  • consideration of all evidence in the claims folder in determining in-service asbestos exposure
  • occupational exposure to asbestos, and
  • exposure to asbestos during World War II (WWII) in insulation and shipyard workers to include Navy Veterans.

Change Date

 July 29, 2021

VIII.iii.7.C.1.a. Evidentiary Review for Asbestos Exposure

 In most cases, a Veteran’s service records will not directly document exposure to asbestos. In such cases, after sending the development letter, when required, and obtaining the military personnel records, utilize the table below to determine the most relevant evidence for evaluating the likelihood of asbestos exposure based on the circumstances of the Veteran’s service.
If the Veteran served in …Then review the …
the Navy
  • military occupational specialty (MOS) list in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.C.1.b, and
  • occupational exposure information in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.C.1.c-e.
another branch of the military occupational exposure information in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, 7.C.1.c-e.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.b. Use of Navy MOS to Determine Probability of In-Service Asbestos Exposure

 The table below describes the probability of asbestos exposure by Navy MOS. Important:
  • If a Veteran from another branch of service, including, but not limited to, Coast Guard, held one of the occupations listed below, concede the probability of exposure accordingly.
  • This list is not exclusive and exposure may be otherwise demonstrated on review of the claims folder. Each claim based on asbestos exposure must be adjudicated on its own merit with MOS being one consideration in determining whether there was an exposure event.
MOS CodeJob TitleProbability of Exposure
AA Airman Apprentice Minimal
ABE Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch & Rec Equip) Probable
ABF Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Probable
ABH Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handler Probable
AC Air Traffic Controller Minimal
ACM Aviation Chief Metalsmith Probable
ADJ Aviation Machinist’s Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic) Probable
ADR Aviation Machinist’s Mate Probable
AE Aviation Electrician’s Mate Probable
AFCM Aircraft Maintenanceman (Master Chief) Minimal
AG Aerographer’s Mate Minimal
AK Aviation Storekeeper Minimal
AM Aviation Structural Mechanic Probable
AME Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) Probable
AMH Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics) Probable
AMS Aviation Structural Mechanic (Structural) Probable
AN Airman Minimal
AO Aviation Ordnanceman Minimal
AQ Aviation Fire Control Technician Highly Probable
AR Airman Recruit Minimal
ARM Aviation Radioman Probable
AS Aviation Support Equipment Technician Probable
AT Aviation Electronic Technician Probable
AW Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator Probable
AX Aviation Antisub Warfare Technician Probable
AZ Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Minimal
B Boilermaker (WWII) Highly Probable
BU Builder Probable
BM Boatswain’s Mate Minimal
BR Boilermaker Highly Probable
BT Boiler Technician Highly Probable
CD Construction Driver Probable
CE Construction Electrician Probable
CM Construction Mechanic Minimal
CN Constructionman Probable
Cox Coxswain Minimal
CS Commissaryman Minimal
CT Communication Technician Minimal
CTR Cryptologic Technician (Collections) Minimal
DC Damage Controlman Minimal
DK Disbursing Clerk Minimal
DP Data Processing Technician Minimal
DS Data System Technician Minimal
DT Dental Technician Minimal
EM Electrician’s Mate Probable
EN Engineman Probable
EO Equipment Operator Minimal
ET Electronics Technician Probable
FC Fire Controlman Highly Probable
FN Fireman Highly Probable
FP Pipefitter Highly Probable
FT Fire Control Technician Highly Probable
FTG Fire Control Technician (Guns) Highly Probable
GM Gunner’s Mate Minimal
GSM Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) Probable
HC Hospital Corpsman Minimal
HN Hospitalman Minimal
HT Hull Maintenance Technician Highly Probable
IC Interior Communication Technician Probable
IM Instrumentman Highly Probable
LI Lithographer Minimal
M(ME) Metalsmith Minimal
MA Master-At-Arms Minimal
MLC Molder Probable
MM Machinist Mate Probable
MN Mineman Minimal
MOMM Motor Machinist Mate Probable
MR Machinery Repairman Minimal
MS Mess Management Specialist Minimal
MT Missile Technician Probable
MU Musician Minimal
NC Navy Counselor Minimal
OM Opticalman Minimal
OSPC Operations Specialist Minimal
PC Postal Clerk Minimal
PH Photographer’s Mate Minimal
PHM Pharmacist Minimal
PN Personnelman Minimal
Prtr Printer Minimal
PT Photographic Intelligenceman Minimal
PTR Painter Probable
QM Quartermaster Minimal
RD Radarman Minimal
RM Radioman Minimal
RN Radarman Minimal
SA Seaman Apprentice Minimal
SC Ship’s Cook Minimal
SD Stewart Minimal
SF Shipfitter Minimal
SFM Shipfitter (Metal Smith) Minimal
SFP Shipfitter (Pipefitter) Minimal
SH Ship’s Serviceman Minimal
SK Storekeeper Minimal
SM Signalman Minimal
SN Seaman Minimal
SO Sonarman Highly Probable
SoM Soundman Highly Probable
ST Sonar Technician Highly Probable
STG/SOG Sonar Technician (Surface) Highly Probable
STS Sonar Technician (Submarine) Highly Probable
StM Steward’s Mate Minimal
SW Steelworker Probable
TA Stewart Apprentice Minimal
TD Trademan Minimal
TE Teletype Minimal
TM Torpedoman’s Mate Probable
TN Stewardsman Minimal
UT Utilitiesman Highly Probable
WT Water Tender Highly Probable
Y Yeoman Minimal

VIII.iii.7.C.1.c. Consideration of All Evidence in the Claims Folder in Determining In-Service Asbestos Exposure

 Asbestos exposure is not exclusive to Naval Veterans and may have been incurred in occupational capacities that are not included on the MOS list. Asbestos exposure may be demonstrated upon review of the claims folder on a basis other than MOS. Any evidence that is probative of (serves to establish) asbestos exposure may be used to support a determination that asbestos exposure occurred. Determining whether evidence proves a Veteran was exposed to asbestos requires an evaluation of all of the evidence in the case, including
  • an assessment of the credibility of the evidence, and
  • whether the evidence establishes that the exposure occurred.
In determining whether asbestos exposure has been demonstrated by the evidence of record, consider
  • occupational exposure
  • exposure information that the Veteran provides in response to the asbestos development letter, to include lay testimony
  • service personnel records
  • service treatment records
  • buddy statements, and
  • all other evidence located in the claims folder or identified by the Veteran relevant to the determination of asbestos exposure.
Notes:
  • The term credibility refers to believable evidence that tends to support the Veteran’s assertion based on consideration of plausibility, consistency with other evidence in the case, and source.
  • Once asbestos exposure has been demonstrated by the evidence of record and the evidence contains competent lay or medical evidence of a current diagnosed disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of disability, accept the Veteran’s lay testimony as sufficient evidence of current symptoms or disease that could potentially be related to asbestos exposure for purposes of requesting an examination and medical opinion.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.d. Occupational Exposures to Asbestos

 Some of the major occupations involving exposure to asbestos include
  • mining
  • milling
  • work in shipyards
  • insulation work
  • demolition of old buildings
  • carpentry and construction
  • manufacture and servicing of friction products, such as clutch facings and brake linings, and
  • manufacture and installation of products, such as
    • roofing and flooring materials
    • asbestos cement sheet and pipe products, and
    • military equipment.
Note: Exposure to any simple type of asbestos is unusual except in mines and mills where the raw materials are produced.

VIII.iii.7.C.1.e. Exposure to Asbestos During WWII in Insulation and Shipyard Workers to Include Navy Veterans

 High exposure to asbestos and a high prevalence of disease have been noted in insulation and shipyard workers. During World War II (WWII), several million people employed in U.S. shipyards and U.S. Navy Veterans were exposed to chrysotile products as well as amosite and crocidolite since these varieties were used extensively in military ship construction. Important: Many of these people have only recently come to medical attention because of the potentially long latent period between first exposure and development of disease.

Source: VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section C (U.S. government work, reproduced for reference). Browse all sections →