---
title: "Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section C Evaluating Evidence of Asbestos Exposure"
document: "M-21-1"
section: "Part VIII, Subpart iii, Chapter 7, Section C"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/viii.iii.7.c-evaluating-evidence-of-asbestos-exposure"
source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000177463/M21-1-Part-VIII-Subpart-iii-Chapter-7-Section-C-Evaluating-Evidence-of-Asbestos-Exposure"
updated: "2026-09-07T14:37:35.933917Z"
---

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.