Section C – Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure

Updated Jul 30, 2021

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

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 Code	Job Title	Probability 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.

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