Can I Get VA Aid and Attendance for Mesothelioma?
Yes, veterans with mesothelioma often qualify for the VA's Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides additional monthly compensation for veterans who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and medication management. This benefit is paid on top of your regular disability compensation and can add over $1,000 per month to your total benefit.
What Aid and Attendance Provides
Aid and Attendance (A&A) is an enhanced benefit level within the VA's Special Monthly Compensation program. It provides additional monthly payments to veterans who require the regular assistance of another person to perform basic daily activities. For mesothelioma patients, who often experience significant physical limitations as the disease progresses, this benefit can provide meaningful financial support for in-home care, assisted living, or nursing home expenses.
The A&A benefit is paid in addition to your base disability compensation, effectively increasing your monthly VA payment by a substantial amount.
Qualifying for Aid and Attendance
To qualify for A&A, you must meet at least one of the following criteria: you need help from another person to perform everyday tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing, or managing medications; you are bedridden or largely confined to bed due to your condition; you are a patient in a nursing home due to physical or mental incapacity; or your eyesight is significantly limited. Mesothelioma patients frequently meet these criteria, particularly as the disease advances and treatment side effects accumulate.
Your physician provides medical evidence documenting your need for assistance, which is submitted as part of your VA claim. The VA evaluates this evidence along with any existing medical records to determine eligibility.
How to Apply
If you already receive VA disability compensation at 100%, you can request A&A as an additional benefit by submitting VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance), completed by your physician. If you have not yet filed your initial VA disability claim, you can include the A&A request in your initial filing.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney or accredited veterans' service representative can assist with the application to ensure all required medical documentation is properly submitted.
Benefits for Surviving Spouses
Surviving spouses of veterans who died from mesothelioma may also qualify for Aid and Attendance if they meet the same need-for-assistance criteria. This benefit is added to the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) that surviving spouses receive, providing additional financial support during a difficult time.
A&A for surviving spouses is applied for using the same VA form and requires similar medical documentation of the spouse's need for regular assistance with daily activities.
- Additional monthly payment — paid on top of regular disability compensation
- Qualification criteria — need for help with daily activities, being bedridden, or being a patient in a nursing home
- Common for mesothelioma — the physical demands of the disease frequently qualify veterans
- Surviving spouses eligible — spouses of deceased veterans may also qualify for A&A
Reviewed by: Rod De Llano, J.D. — Texas Bar — 30+ years mesothelioma litigation
Last updated: March 15, 2026
Sources: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Aid and Attendance, Veterans Benefits Administration
Our attorneys have handled mesothelioma cases for over 30 years. We can evaluate your situation, explain every option available to you, and answer your questions — all at no cost and with no obligation.
Request a Free Consultation
Your information is confidential and protected. We typically respond within 24 hours.
Call 1-800-400-1805 for immediate help.