The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center is the main VA treatment center on the West Coast for veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. It houses the Elmo Zumwalt Mesothelioma Program, headed by top mesothelioma specialist Dr. Robert Cameron.
Top VA Cancer Treatment Center
A hidden gem among cancer treatment centers in the western U.S., the West Los Angeles VA is home to the Elmo Zumwalt (EZ) Mesothelioma Program, named after the decorated and highly praised Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, who passed away from pleural mesothelioma in 2000. The Program is currently headed by world-renowned mesothelioma specialist Dr. Robert Cameron, innovator of the lung sparing pleurectomy with decortication (P/D).
Unlike most other VA treatment centers, the West LA VA offers quality treatment to veterans from all parts of the country, not just Southern California. If you’re a veteran who has been diagnosed with service-related mesothelioma, you can receive treatment at the West LA VA. Our Veterans Help Team can help you connect to the EZ Mesothelioma program, regardless of your location in U.S.
A Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program
A part of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare system, the West LA VA is home to the EZ Mesothelioma Program. This program is not only one of the best mesothelioma treatment programs in the Western U.S., it’s one of the best nationwide.
From the start, the EZ Mesothelioma Program has been partnered with the Pacific Meso Center (PMC), a public charitable organization dedicated to funding mesothelioma research and raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos.
It is also currently tapped into a network of top cancer treatment programs, like the UCLA Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program and the Cancer Research and Biostatistics (CRAB) foundation. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to establish a close-knit group of facilities that carries out mesothelioma research.
Accessible to All Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
The EZ Mesothelioma Program is accessible to veterans from all parts of the country, not just those residing in Southern California. This high level of accessibility is made possible through the use of long-distance consultation services (TeleHealth/TeleMedicine) that are already in place within the VA Healthcare network. The West LA VA also uses these long-distance services to help connect veterans with social and financial support during treatment.
Mesothelioma Treatment from Dr. Robert Cameron
The West Los Angeles VA is unique among VA cancer treatment centers in its leadership. Dr. Robert Cameron, head of the UCLA Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program, manages the West LA VA and its EZ Mesothelioma Program.
Dr. Cameron is one of the most recognized and well-known mesothelioma specialists in the U.S. for developing the pleurectomy with decortication (P/D), a highly successful surgery for patients with pleural mesothelioma. The P/D was developed out of Dr. Cameron’s treatment philosophy, and this mission statement guides the mesothelioma programs at UCLA and the West LA VA: do no harm to the patient and make the disease as manageable as possible.
VA Benefits and Disability Compensation
The VA fully acknowledges the connection between service to this country and mesothelioma. Veterans are the group most affected by mesothelioma, the only known cause of which is asbestos. During the 1930s to 1970s, the military used asbestos-containing products extensively and unknowingly put veterans at risk for the development of mesothelioma.
Veterans with service-related diseases like mesothelioma are entitled to a free health evaluation from VA medical facilities like the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. If you’re a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may also be eligible for a number of additional benefits that can help you pay for further treatment at the West LA VA or any other cancer treatment facility.
To be considered for benefits and disability compensation, a veteran must file a claim with the VA. Unfortunately, this process can be complex and require an extensive amount of paperwork. Our Veterans Help Team is experienced with VA claims and can help you file yours so you receive the treatment you deserve.
Contact a member of our Veterans Help Team for more information on filing a benefits claim with the VA.