VA Puget Sound Health Care

About VA Puget Sound Health Care

VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle and Tacoma, Washington is one of the Pacific Northwest’s top VA health systems. As one of the Pacific Northwest’s top healthcare systems for veterans, VA Puget Sound consistently provides patients with innovative and collaborative treatment and care. 

The health system consists of two main hospitals and seven outpatient clinics throughout a 14-county service area, in Edmonds, Everett, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Port Angeles, Puyallup, and Silverdale.

Veterans in Washington coping with Mesothelioma or lung cancer can seek treatment at VA Puget Sound Health Care. Both VA treatment centers in Seattle and Tacoma provide personalized plans involving multiple treatment options for each unique case. 

VA Puget Sound Health Care Locations

The two medical centers are located along the southern portion of the Puget Sound of the Pacific Northwest. With its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the entire area has had a large military presence since World War I. The American Lake VA Medical Center campus in Tacoma was constructed shortly after the war in 1923 at the site of Fort Lewis. The Seattle VA Medical Center opened after World War II and has since undergone extensive expansions.

American Lake VA Medical Center

9600 Veterans Drive Southwest, Tacoma, WA 98493

Main Phone: 800-329-8387

Seattle VA Medical Center

1660 South Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108

Main Phone: 800-329-8387

Health Services Offered at Seattle and Tacoma VA Puget Sound Health Care

Treatment centers in the Puget Sound system offer routine and specialty healthcare services. The experienced staff assists patients throughout each step and provides additional strategies to cope with a cancer diagnosis. The palliative care team focuses on providing comfort and reducing suffering while providing emotional support for patients and their families.

The pulmonary medicine team, in particular,  is well known and works with cancer patients whose disease affects the lungs and breathing. Common pulmonary treatments at VA Puget Sound include oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and extensive lung function tests.

Additional health services for cancer patients at VA Puget Sound include:

• Surgery
• Radiology
• Pain management
• Cancer care

Treatment Options at VA Puget Sound Health Care

VA Puget Sound Health Care partners with the University of Washington’s School of Medicine, ensuring patients have access to the most advanced treatment options. Patients diagnosed with cancer work one-on-one with a team of specialists to come up with the best possible treatment plan. 

Mesothelioma patients at VA Puget Sound Medical Center could undergo a variety of treatment options including surgery to remove tumors. Surgery typically results in the best outcomes, but patients whose disease is in more advanced stages can turn to other life-improving options, including:

• Immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Palliative Therapy

Learn more: Lung Cancer and Other Cancers From Exposure to Smoke in the Military

VA Puget Sound Health Care Staff

As one of the nation’s largest VA hospital systems, VA Puget Sound Health Care approaches each case with quality and efficiency in mind. Lung and thoracic cancer specialist, Dr. Tony Quang, is a board-certified radiation oncologist with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. Likewise, Dr. Aaron M Cheng is a board-certified thoracic surgeon who offers life-extending treatments for cancer patients. 

Working with doctors and specialists with experience in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma can prevent misdiagnosis of the wrong illness and make a significant impact on life expectancy, prognosis, and treatment options.

How Many VA Hospitals and Clinics are in Washington?

There are several options for Veterans seeking healthcare in the State of Washington. The Pacific Coast is home to a large Veteran population. Exposure to toxins occurred throughout many Military bases during the 1900s, including the notorious Fort Ord California base. With the veteran population in need of routine healthcare and the growing number of military-related illnesses, the government-funded dozens of healthcare systems in and near the West Coast states.

VA Medical Centers/Hospitals in Washington:

• Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (Spokane)
• VA Portland Health Care System (Vancouver Campus)
• Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center (Walla Walla)

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics:

• South Sound CBOC (Chehalis)
• Mount Vernon CBOC (Mount Vernon)
• North Olympic Peninsula  (Port Angeles)
• Richland (WA) CBOC (Richland)
• Silverdale VA Clinic (Silverdale)
• Wenatchee CBOC (Wenatchee)
• Yakima (WA) CBOC (Yakima)

Additional VA Cancer Treatment Centers:

• VA Portland Health Care System – Portland VA Medical Center
• Roseburg VA Health Care System – Roseburg VA Medical Center
• San Francisco VA Health Care System – San Francisco VA Medical Center
• Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care – West Los Angeles VA Medical Center
• Central California VA Health Care System – Fresno VA Medical Center
• VA Palo Alto Health Care System – Palo Alto VA Medical Center
• VA Montana Healthcare – Fort Harrison VA Medical Center

Filing With the US Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible to file for VA disability compensation as a result of exposure to asbestos during military service. There are multiple ways to file a claim for benefits or for an increase in benefits. Veterans can apply for and manage their benefits on the VA website.

Veterans who were injured as a result of exposure to asbestos during their service may be eligible to receive additional compensation through asbestos injury claims. The claims are filed by a mesothelioma attorney on behalf of the victim or their family. Injury claims are not filed against the U.S. military, but against the companies that manufactured products containing asbestos.

Read More: Compensation for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination