{"id":893,"date":"2020-04-17T13:52:45","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T17:52:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/?page_id=893"},"modified":"2025-12-15T16:28:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T21:28:12","slug":"michael-e-debakey-va","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/cancer-centers\/michael-e-debakey-va\/","title":{"rendered":"Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 id=\"about\">About Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center<\/h2>\n<p>As part of the VA Houston Healthcare System, Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) offers many treatment options to <a href=\"\/veterans\/\">veterans with mesothelioma<\/a>, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks to its partnership with Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and its close ties to the <a href=\"\/cancer-centers\/baylor-lung-institute\/\">Baylor Lung Institute<\/a>, MEDVAMC provides many advantages for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.<\/p>\n<p>This facility can notably treat the two most common types of mesothelioma, which are <strong>pleural mesothelioma<\/strong> (which forms in the lung lining) and <strong>peritoneal mesothelioma<\/strong> (which forms in the lining of the abdomen).<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Dr_Lorraine_Cornwell.jpeg\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>\u201cWe do offer comprehensive care at the VA here in Houston, and we really enjoy taking care of these complicated medical issues.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Dr. Lorraine D. Cornwell, mesothelioma specialist at MEDVAMC<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<p>Around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/\">mesothelioma<\/a> every year, and <strong>one-third of those diagnosed are military veterans.<\/strong> For this reason, it\u2019s critical that veterans across the U.S. have access to doctors and surgeons experienced in treating mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers.<\/p>\n<p>Use our <strong>Free Doctor Match <\/strong>to find mesothelioma specialists near you and get help scheduling an appointment.<\/p>\n<div id=\"25223\" class=\"one-off-25223 widget widget_oscar-vque one-off\" data-vqueid=\"25223\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"one-off\">.one-off-25223{margin:60px auto}.one-off-25223 a{box-shadow:0 4px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,.25);display:block;background:#e4f4f6;padding:20px 25px 200px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;position:relative;overflow:hidden;max-width:360px;margin:0 auto}.one-off-25223 a::before{background:#0FAEBF;border-radius:50% 50% 0 0;content:'';position:absolute;bottom:0;height:19%;width:135%;left:-60px;z-index:0}.one-off-25223 .vque-content,.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{z-index:1;position:relative}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{width:100%;position:absolute;left:-10px;bottom:-15px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;max-width:unset;left:0}.one-off-25223 .heading{font-size:27px;line-height:33px;text-align:center;display:block;max-width:340px;margin:5px auto 25px}.one-off-25223 ul{list-style:none;margin:-10px auto 22px;text-align:left;font-size:16px;line-height:26px}.one-off-25223 ul li{margin:0 0 15px;position:relative;padding-left:35px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{font-family:\"mesohope\"!important;speak:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;content:\"\\e904\";background:#0FAEBF;width:21px;height:21px;display:block;position:absolute;left:0;top:4px;border-radius:50%;color:#fff;font-size:11px;text-align:center;line-height:21px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:center}.one-off-25223 .button{padding:12px 16px;display:block}@media screen and (min-width:768px){.one-off-25223 a{max-width:620px;padding:30px 30px 35px;border-radius:0 0 4px 4px}.one-off-25223 a::before{border-radius:50%;height:155%;width:150%;right:-550px;left:unset;bottom:-295px}.one-off-25223 .heading{text-align:left;margin:2px 0 25px;max-width:unset;font-size:24px}.one-off-25223 ul{margin:-7px 0 30px;max-width:365px;line-height:23px}.one-off-25223 ul li::before{top:1px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap{max-width:unset;position:absolute;right:-25px;bottom:-35px;margin:0 0 -2px;left:unset;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .image-wrap img{position:relative;bottom:0;left:0;width:380px}.one-off-25223 .button{display:inline-block;padding:14px 25px}.one-off-25223 p{text-align:left}}@media screen and (min-width:1150px){.one-off-25223 a{padding:30px}}<\/style><a href=\"\/get-matched\/\" title=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor Ad\"><div>\r\n    <div class=\"vque-content\">\r\n        <strong class=\"heading\">Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor<\/strong>\r\n        <ul>\r\n            <li>Find top specialists near you<\/li>\r\n            <li>Seek compensation for travel & care<\/li>\r\n            <li>Get medical guidance<\/li>\r\n        <\/ul>\r\n        <p><strong class=\"button arrow\" title=\"Get Matched Now\">Get Matched Now<\/strong><\/p>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\"  src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Doctors-ad.png\" alt=\"Get Matched With a Mesothelioma Doctor\" class=\"lazyload\" ><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Mesothelioma Treatments Available at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center<\/h2>\n<p>MEDVAMC offers a wide range of mesothelioma treatment plans tailored to each patient\u2019s cancer stage, overall health, and other factors.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-icon icon-surgery\">Surgery<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/\">Mesothelioma surgery<\/a> involves the removal of tumors or other cancerous tissues. It\u2019s often combined with other treatments for best results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Surgeries performed at MEDVAMC include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/extrapleural-pneumonectomy\/\">Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleurectomy-decortication\/\">Pleurectomy with decortication (P\/D)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both of these surgeries have been used to increase the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with <a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/pleural\/\">pleural mesothelioma<\/a> (cancer of the lung lining). Doctors at MEDVAMC typically combine surgeries with other therapies for best results.<\/p>\n<div class=\"blockquote-w-image \"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Robert-Taylor-Ripley-MD-300x300-1.png\" alt=\"\" \/><blockquote><p>&#8220;We will have to take a multi-prong attack to ultimately provide patients with much better survival with this disease.&#8221;<\/p>\n<footer>&ndash;<cite> Dr. Taylor Ripley, mesothelioma specialist at MEDVAMC<\/cite><\/footer><\/blockquote><style type=\"text\/css\">.blockquote-w-image{position:relative;margin:40px auto}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{background:none;border-left:none;padding:25px;margin-top:0;padding-bottom:0;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote p{margin-bottom:0}.blockquote-w-image img{width:100px;border:none;border-radius:100%;box-shadow:none;position:relative;margin:0 auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative{margin:60px auto}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding:25px 25px 25px 80px;padding-bottom:25px;background-color:#E4F4F6}.blockquote-w-image.alternative img{position:absolute;left:20px;top:25px;z-index:1;width:50px;border:1px solid #fff;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(34,34,34,0.2);border-radius:100%}.blockquote-w-image.with-border{background:none;border-left:4px solid #0FAEBF}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote{background:none;border-radius:0;padding:10px 25px}.blockquote-w-image.with-border blockquote footer cite{font-size:inherit}.blockquote-w-image blockquote:before{display:none}@media screen and (min-width: 769px){.blockquote-w-image img{position:absolute;left:0;top:0}.blockquote-w-image blockquote{padding:0 25px 0 125px;min-height:90px}}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote{padding-left:105px}.blockquote-w-image.alternative blockquote footer cite{font-size:16px}.entry-content .blockquote-w-image.alternative img{width:60px;left:25px}}<\/style><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"heading-icon icon-chemotherapy1\">Chemotherapy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/chemotherapy\/\">Chemotherapy<\/a> is one of the most common mesothelioma treatments and involves fighting cancer with powerful drugs that are administered either orally or through an IV (intravenously). Common chemotherapy medications include <strong>pemetrexed and cisplatin<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Mesothelioma chemotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment, but it\u2019s often combined with surgery and immunotherapy to be more effective.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-icon icon-chemotherapy\">Immunotherapy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/immunotherapy\/\">Immunotherapy<\/a> strengthens the body\u2019s natural defense system to better identify and attack cancer cells.<\/p>\n<p>The two immunotherapy drugs <strong>Opdivo\u00ae and Yervoy\u00ae<\/strong> (nivolumab and ipilimumab) have been approved to treat patients with pleural mesothelioma who don\u2019t qualify for major surgery.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-icon icon-radiation-therapy\">Radiation Therapy<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"\/treatment\/radiation\/\">Radiation therapy<\/a> is used in a similar way as chemotherapy since it\u2019s often administered before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of pumping powerful cancer-fighting drugs throughout the body, radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams and typically has <strong>fewer side effects than chemotherapy<\/strong> as a result.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-icon icon-test\">Clinical Trials<\/h3>\n<p>Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center also provides patients access to new and emerging treatments being tested in <a href=\"\/treatment\/clinical-trials\/\">mesothelioma clinical trials<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Current trials are studying:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/mesothelioma\/cell-types\/\">Cell types<\/a> found in and near mesothelioma tumors<\/li>\n<li>Patients\u2019 overall experience with <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/pleural\/\">surgery for pleural mesothelioma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/treatment\/targeted-therapies\/\">Targeted therapies<\/a> and investigational drugs for mesothelioma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Clinical trials are selective, and working with MEDVAMC specialists can help determine if you&#8217;re able to join one or not.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"heading-icon icon-caring\">Palliative Care<\/h3>\n<p>MEDVAMC also offers inpatient and outpatient <a href=\"\/treatment\/palliative\/\">palliative care services<\/a> to help veterans manage their symptoms and live more comfortably.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Examples of palliative care for mesothelioma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alternative treatments<\/strong> such as yoga and meditation to reduce stress and boost overall well-being<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chemotherapy and radiation<\/strong> to shrink the size of tumors that are putting pressure on major blood vessels, organs, nerves, and bones<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medication<\/strong> to minimize pain or relieve nausea from chemotherapy and immunotherapy<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surgical procedures<\/strong> like <a href=\"\/treatment\/surgery\/thoracentesis\/\">thoracentesis<\/a>, which drains excess fluid from the space around the lungs to improve breathing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Palliative care at MEDVAMC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for veterans with mesothelioma, offering comprehensive support through various treatments and therapies.<\/p>\n<h2>Michael E. DeBakey Mesothelioma Doctors and Patient Care Team<\/h2>\n<p>The patient care team at Michael E. DeBakey has received high patient satisfaction ratings from veterans needing specialized cancer treatment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>MEDVAMC has relationships with several trusted mesothelioma specialists, including:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"image-text-wrap simple \"><style type=\"text\/css\">.image-text-wrap ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.image-text-heading{display:block;font-size:22px}html body .image-text-wrap:not(.small) .image-text-heading{margin-bottom:15px}.image-text-heading.with-subheading{margin-bottom:0}.image-text-subheading{margin-bottom:15px;display:block}.image-text-wrap ul li:before{display:none}.image-text-wrap ul li a{color:inherit;text-decoration:none}.image-text-wrap ul li a .image-text-heading{transition:color .25s ease-in-out;text-decoration:underline}.image-text-wrap ul li a:hover .image-text-heading{color:#34d;text-decoration:underline}.image-text-wrap ul li>.image-text{padding:0 0 0 85px;position:relative;display:block}.image-text-wrap.default ul li>*{border:1px solid #E6E7EC;padding:20px 20px 20px 94px;box-shadow:0 20px 20px rgba(34,34,34,0.03);border-radius:10px}span.image-text-visual{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:68px;height:68px}.image-text-wrap.default span.image-text-visual{top:20px;left:20px}span.image-text-visual img{display:block;border-radius:50px}span.image-text-visual i{width:48px;height:48px;display:block;text-align:center;line-height:52px;background:#0FAEBF;color:#fff;border-radius:48px;font-size:30px}.image-text-wrap span.image-text-content>ul{list-style:disc;margin-left:20px;margin-top:0 !important}.image-text-wrap span.image-text-content ul li a{display:inline-block;text-decoration:underline;color:#248AFF}.image-text-wrap span.image-text-content ul li a:hover{color:#34d}.image-text-wrap{margin:40px auto}.image-text-wrap:first-child{margin-top:0}.image-text-wrap:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.image-text-wrap ul li.has-bg{background:#F5F5F5;padding:20px}.image-text-wrap.clean ul li,.image-text-wrap.simple ul li{margin:0 0 35px}.image-text-wrap.clean ul li:last-child,.image-text-wrap.simple ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.image-text-wrap.default.small ul li>*{border:none;background:#EDF8F9;box-shadow:none;max-width:440px;padding:30px 25px 30px 90px}.image-text-wrap.default.small span.image-text-visual{top:50%;margin-top:-24px}.image-text-wrap.default.small{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}.image-text-wrap.simple ul li>.image-text{display:flex;align-items:center;height:68px}html body .image-text-wrap.simple .image-text-heading{margin-bottom:0}@media screen and (min-width: 1024px){.image-text-wrap.default ul li>*{padding:25px 25px 25px 94px}.image-text-heading{font-size:24px}}<\/style><ul><li class=\"has-visual image\"><div class=\"image-text\"><span class=\"image-text-visual\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Dr_Eugene_Choi.jpeg\" alt=\"Dr. Eugene Choi\" class=\"image-text-visual\" \/><\/span><span class=\"image-text-content\"><h3 class=\"image-text-heading\">Dr. Eugene Choi<\/h3><p>Surgical oncologist<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div><\/li><li class=\"has-visual image\"><div class=\"image-text\"><a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/dr-lorraine-d-cornwell\/\" title=\"Dr. Lorraine Cornwell\" class=\"\"><span class=\"image-text-visual\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Dr_Lorraine_Cornwell.jpeg\" alt=\"Dr. Lorraine Cornwell\" class=\"image-text-visual\" \/><\/span><\/a><span class=\"image-text-content\"><a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/dr-lorraine-d-cornwell\/\" title=\"Dr. Lorraine Cornwell\" class=\"\"><h3 class=\"image-text-heading\">Dr. Lorraine Cornwell<\/h3><\/a><p>Thoracic surgeon<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div><\/li><li class=\"has-visual image\"><div class=\"image-text\"><span class=\"image-text-visual\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Dr_Shawn_Groth.jpeg\" alt=\"Dr. Shawn Groth\" class=\"image-text-visual\" \/><\/span><span class=\"image-text-content\"><h3 class=\"image-text-heading\">Dr. Shawn Groth<\/h3><p>Thoracic surgeon<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div><\/li><li class=\"has-visual image\"><div class=\"image-text\"><span class=\"image-text-visual\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Dr_Pavan_Mukesh_Jhaveri.jpeg\" alt=\"Dr. Pavan Mukesh Jhaveri\" class=\"image-text-visual\" \/><\/span><span class=\"image-text-content\"><h3 class=\"image-text-heading\">Dr. Pavan Mukesh Jhaveri<\/h3><p>Radiation oncologist<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div><\/li><li class=\"has-visual image\"><div class=\"image-text\"><a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/dr-taylor-ripley\/\" title=\"Dr. Taylor Ripley\" class=\"\"><span class=\"image-text-visual\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Robert-Taylor-Ripley-MD-300x300-1.png\" alt=\"Dr. Taylor Ripley\" class=\"image-text-visual\" \/><\/span><\/a><span class=\"image-text-content\"><a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/dr-taylor-ripley\/\" title=\"Dr. Taylor Ripley\" class=\"\"><h3 class=\"image-text-heading\">Dr. Taylor Ripley<\/h3><\/a><p>Thoracic surgeon<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Each <a href=\"\/treatment\/doctors\/\">mesothelioma doctor<\/a> works hard to ensure all veterans and their families are comfortable and supported at every step of the treatment process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The MEDVAMC mesothelioma care team also includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"columns-2\">\n<li>Case managers<\/li>\n<li>Chaplains<\/li>\n<li>Mental health professionals<\/li>\n<li>Nurses<\/li>\n<li>Nutritionists and dietitians<\/li>\n<li>Psychologists<\/li>\n<li>Social workers<\/li>\n<li>Spiritual advisors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<p>Download our <strong>Free Questions to Ask Your Doctor Checklist<\/strong> to help you prepare for treatment-related conversations with your medical team.<\/p>\n<div data-vqueid=\"18575\" class=\"widget widget_oscar-vque outline image-left has-img\"><style type=\"text\/css\" data-style=\"outline\">.widget_oscar-vque.outline{margin:60px auto;max-width:315px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline:first-child{margin-top:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a{border:1px solid #E6E7EC;padding:20px;box-shadow:0 20px 20px rgba(34,34,34,0.03);border-radius:10px;color:#383441;display:block;text-decoration:none}.widget_oscar-vque.outline img{margin:0 auto 20px;max-width:180px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline .vque-content{color:#383441;font-size:16px;text-align:center}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.subheading{color:#100134;display:block;line-height:1;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:5px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.heading{color:#100134;font-size:20px;display:block;margin:0 0 20px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul{font-size:16px;text-align:left;list-style:none;max-width:265px;margin:15px auto 25px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li{padding-left:28px;margin-bottom:10px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li:last-child{margin-bottom:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul li:before{font-family:\"mesohope\" !important;font-display:swap;speak:none;color:#fff;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-transform:none;line-height:1;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;-moz-osx-font-smoothing:grayscale;content:\"\\e904\";border:none;position:absolute;left:0;top:3px;background:#0FAEBF;width:20px;height:20px;border-radius:20px;line-height:20px;text-align:center;font-size:12px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.button.arrow{width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a{position:relative;border-radius:0 10px 10px 0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a:before{content:\" \";position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;width:4px;height:100%;left:0;background:linear-gradient(180deg, #0FAEBF 0%, #fff 100%)}@media screen and (min-width: 768px){.widget_oscar-vque.outline{max-width:620px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline img{max-width:100%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a{padding:0}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a>div{display:block;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:flex-end;flex-direction:row-reverse}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a>div>div{width:41%}.widget_oscar-vque.outline>a .vque-content{width:59%;padding:30px;text-align:left}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.subheading{font-size:16px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.heading{font-size:24px;margin:0 0 13px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline ul{max-width:none}.widget_oscar-vque.outline strong.button.arrow{width:auto}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div{display:block;position:relative;overflow:hidden}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div{float:left}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div:first-child{width:27%;padding:30px}.widget_oscar-vque.outline.image-left>a>div>div.vque-content{width:73%;padding-left:0;color:#383441}}<\/style><a href=\"\/doctor-questions\/\" title=\"Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask\u00a0Your Doctor\" class=\"cte\" data-ce-category=\"In-Content Ads\" data-ce-label=\"Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask\u00a0Your Doctor Ad\" data-desktop-image=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/questions-to-ask-doctor-ipad.png\"><div><div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"95\" height=\"144\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/questions-to-ask-doctor-ipad.png\" class=\"attachment-Medium size-Medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor packet\" \/><\/div><div class=\"vque-content\"><strong class=\"heading\">Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask\u00a0Your Doctor<\/strong><ul>\n<li>Preparing for treatment<\/li>\n<li>Finding clinical trials<\/li>\n<li>Getting a second opinion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong class=\"button yellow arrow\" title=\"Get Your Free Download\">Get Your Free Download<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div>\n<h2>VA Health Benefits for Veterans at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center<\/h2>\n<p>The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs provides VA benefits to sick or injured veterans, including those with service-related mesothelioma.<\/p>\n<p>Veterans with VA benefits can use them to get care from the DeBakey VA Medical Center and facilities within the military health care system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Essential benefits for veterans with mesothelioma include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Free or low-cost medical treatment through the VA health care system<\/li>\n<li>Tax-free <a href=\"\/veterans\/va-benefits\/disability\/\">disability compensation<\/a> worth <strong>$4,158.17<\/strong> <strong>a month<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Aid &amp; Attendance (A&amp;A) payouts to cover caregiving services<\/li>\n<li>Monthly pension payments based on your annual income<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/veterans\/va-benefits\/va-dependency-indemnity-compensation\/\">Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)<\/a> for surviving family members<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These benefits are designed to ensure veterans receive the necessary medical care, daily living assistance, and financial support for their families.<\/p>\n<h2>Get Help Connecting With Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center<\/h2>\n<p>If you or a loved one served in the military and are now facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, <strong>we can walk you through your next steps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>This includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explaining your test results, diagnosis, and treatment options<\/li>\n<li>Connecting you with specialists at the Michael DeBakey VA in Houston<\/li>\n<li>Helping you file for VA disability benefits and other compensation<\/li>\n<li>And much more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Give us a call now at <a href=\"tel:+18666088933\" title=\"Click to call (866) 608-8933\" class=\"in-content-tel-link\" data-ce-category=\"Click to Call\" data-ce-label=\"(866) 608-8933\">(866) 608-8933<\/a> or <a href=\"\/about\/contact\/\">fill out our contact form<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center As part of the VA Houston Healthcare System, Michael DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) offers many treatment options to veterans with mesothelioma, including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and more. Thanks to its partnership with Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and its close ties to the Baylor Lung Institute,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":18164,"parent":153,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-medical-facility.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-893","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=893"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/893\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mesotheliomahope.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}