Mesothelioma Hope is proud to introduce our new Veterans Advocate, Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret.). With a decorated military career, experience as an attorney, and a personal connection to mesothelioma, Major Nelson is committed to helping veterans and their families access the VA benefits and financial support they deserve.
Introducing Mesothelioma Hope’s New Veterans Advocate
Major Nelson served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Judge Advocate (military lawyer). During his service, he deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, taught criminal law and trial advocacy at the Naval Justice School, and later served as Staff Judge Advocate for the 2nd Marine Division.
Major Nelson joins Mesothelioma Hope as a Veterans Advocate and VA-accredited attorney. In this role, he provides mesothelioma VA claim help, guiding veterans harmed by asbestos through the disability application process to receive benefits.
“Even though I’m retired from active duty, I’m still looking to help others. Working with Mesothelioma Hope allows me to stand alongside fellow service members and make sure they receive the benefits they’ve earned.”
– Major Nelson, Mesothelioma Hope Veterans Advocate
His combination of military experience, legal expertise, and personal connection to mesothelioma makes him a powerful advocate for veterans navigating one of the hardest battles of their lives.
Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn how we can help you secure financial support for you and your family.
A Personal and Professional Commitment
For Major Nelson, the fight against mesothelioma is a personal one. His wife’s grandfather, a proud Navy veteran, developed mesothelioma after years of working aboard Navy ships filled with asbestos during World War II.
Like so many sailors of his generation, he was exposed daily through insulation, piping, and engine rooms where asbestos was widely used. That exposure eventually cost him his life.
Major Nelson’s personal commitment is matched by a lifetime of service. Raised in Virginia just across the street from Marine Corps Base Quantico, he grew up surrounded by the military community. His father was an Air Force veteran and a longtime National Park Service ranger.
“My father’s military service and time in the park service instilled in me a love for the United States, so I knew I wanted to serve my country.”
– Major Nelson, Mesothelioma Hope Veterans Advocate
His mother, an English teacher, encouraged his passion for reading and writing, skills that would later prepare him for a career in law and advocacy.
Major Nelson is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major and VA-accredited attorney at Mesothelioma Hope. He helps veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma receive the VA benefits they may be entitled to. View Transcript.
Duration: 1 min 58 sec
My name is Jonathan Nelson. I am a VA-accredited attorney working with Mesothelioma Hope. I am here to help veterans. I wanted to provide for people who had served their country, protected their country, fought in wars on our behalf, and now are diagnosed with a cancer that, for many of them, was caused by their active-duty service itself. I want to make sure that they have the opportunity to get the benefits they need and are entitled to, and to ensure their families are provided for in the future.
I was in the United States Marine Corps for 15 years. I served as a judge advocate and worked as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and instructor at the Naval Justice School. I also handled appellate government law and served as the staff judge advocate for the Second Marine Division in North Carolina for a couple of years.
When a veteran has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, they need to know there’s support for them. We are able to provide medical information, connect them with good doctors and hospitals, and offer mental and spiritual support as well. Companies that have gone bankrupt due to asbestos litigation have paid into trust funds—money set aside for people diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
There’s currently over $30 billion available for people who have mesothelioma. This means that if you’ve been diagnosed, you may be able to file a claim for some of that money. We also help veterans file for VA disability benefits and guide them on the right path to make sure their families are cared for, even when they’re no longer able to do so themselves.
I like to help veterans who have fought for our country and served our country. I have a great deal of respect for those individuals, and I’m here to make sure they get the help and benefits they deserve.
Standing Up for Veterans Harmed by Asbestos
Major Nelson believes that supporting veterans with mesothelioma is about accountability. He’s seen how mesothelioma can devastate families and knows this cancer could have been prevented if asbestos companies had acted responsibly.
Asbestos manufacturers and suppliers were aware of the health risks for decades, yet continued to push their products into shipyards, bases, and military housing without warnings or protections. Navy veterans faced the greatest risk since asbestos was present everywhere — in ships, barracks, and even protective gear.
In his role at Mesothelioma Hope, Major Nelson works to ensure that veterans harmed by asbestos get justice. He helps veterans pursue VA benefits and legal compensation to ease the financial strain of mesothelioma and hold negligent asbestos companies accountable.
“I feel like monetary compensation is insufficient for people with mesothelioma, but at least they can secure a better financial future for their families and loved ones.”
– Major Nelson, Mesothelioma Hope Veterans Advocate
Connect With Major Nelson for Veterans Support
Major Nelson is uniquely equipped to walk veterans and their loved ones through the VA benefits system, make sure they understand their legal rights, and secure the resources they’ve earned through their service.
He and our team are here to help you:
- File or appeal your VA benefits claim
- Understand your legal rights as a veteran with mesothelioma
- Explore additional compensation options for asbestos exposure
- Connect with mesothelioma specialists and support groups
Call us at (866) 608-8933 or contact us now to connect with Major Nelson and our other mesothelioma advocates.
