Article at a glance
- Many lung conditions are claimable, from COPD and asthma to asbestos-related disease.
- Service exposures matter, dust, smoke, fumes, asbestos and burn pits among them.
- A smoking history does not automatically rule you out. Each claim is assessed on its evidence.
- Asbestos-related conditions can be serious and time-sensitive, so get advice early.
Shortness of breath, a cough that will not shift, getting winded doing things that used to be easy, it is tempting to put it down to age or a few too many cigarettes. But for a lot of veterans, breathing problems trace back to what they were exposed to in service, and that can make them claimable.
This guide covers the lung conditions veterans claim for, the service exposures that matter, and how a respiratory claim is assessed. For related issues, see sleep apnoea and the DVA medical conditions hub.
Lung conditions veterans claim for
Respiratory conditions cover a wide range, and a number of them are regularly accepted as service-related, including:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis
- Asbestos-related conditions, such as asbestosis, pleural disease and mesothelioma
The service exposures that matter
Military environments expose people to things that damage the lungs over time. The exposures that commonly come up in respiratory claims include burn pits and open-air burning, dust and sand on deployment, smoke, diesel and jet fuel fumes, and asbestos, which was widespread in older ships, vehicles and buildings. Chemical agents and other airborne hazards can also be relevant. Whether a particular exposure connects to your condition is assessed against the Statement of Principles for that condition, which sets out the recognised links.
How a respiratory claim is assessed
- Diagnosis. You need a clear diagnosis of the specific lung condition, usually supported by lung function testing such as spirometry, and imaging where relevant.
- Liability. DVA assesses whether your service connects to the condition, measured against the relevant Statement of Principles and your exposure history.
- Impairment. If accepted, how much the condition affects your breathing and your daily life feeds into your compensation, with lung function results a key measure.
If asbestos exposure is involved, act early. Asbestos-related conditions, including mesothelioma, can be serious and progress quickly, and the timeframes around them matter. If you were exposed to asbestos in service, do not sit on it, get advice as soon as you can.
Getting treatment
Once a respiratory condition is accepted, treatment is covered through your Veteran Card, from your GP and respiratory specialists to medication and, where needed, supports like pulmonary rehabilitation. As with any condition, you do not have to wait for a claim to be finalised before seeing your GP about your breathing, and getting it documented helps your claim as well as your health.
Frequently asked questions
Struggling to breathe after your service?
If a lung condition may be linked to your service exposures, our expert team can help you connect it, gather the right evidence, and lodge a strong claim.
Related from KSC Law
- Sleep apnoea and CPAP claims
- Getting the right DVA diagnosis
- DVA medical conditions hub
- DVA claims and the claims process
External resources
Frequently asked questions
Possibly. A smoking history doesn’t automatically rule out a claim. Each claim is assessed on its evidence, and in some cases smoking that started or worsened during service is itself relevant. It’s worth having your circumstances looked at rather than assuming you can’t claim.
A clear diagnosis with lung function testing, and a record of your relevant service exposures. The more clearly your exposure history and your symptoms over time are documented, the stronger the claim.
Asbestos-related conditions often appear decades after exposure, so a long gap doesn’t mean you can’t claim. Because these conditions can be serious, it’s important to act promptly once you have symptoms or a diagnosis. Talk to us early so nothing is left too late.