Veterans who received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge may not be eligible for a mesothelioma pension claim. However, the VA provides two ways to appeal a discharge status.
A discharge upgrade allows for circumstances — beyond the control of the individual — that may have contributed to the dishonorable discharge to be reviewed and re-examined years later.
Veterans may also want to explore the VA Character of Discharge review process, which may also help to change discharge status and grant access to a VA pension.