USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers, was commissioned at Bath Iron Works in July 1991 and has served in the Atlantic Fleet conducting carrier strike group operations, ballistic missile defense, and surface warfare missions. Arleigh Burke was the first US Navy surface combatant designed with full nuclear, biological, and chemical protection from the keel up. Powered by four General Electric LM2500 gas turbines, Arleigh Burke established the propulsion and combat systems template for a class that would grow to more than 70 ships. Commissioned in 1991, Arleigh Burke incorporated asbestos-containing hull insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, and construction materials consistent with early 1990s naval construction specifications.

USS Arleigh Burke Hull Construction and Systems Asbestos

Arleigh Burke’s hull construction and onboard systems incorporated asbestos in multiple areas:

  • Hull and structural insulation — Arleigh Burke’s crew berthing, combat information center, engineering spaces, and working spaces were constructed with insulation materials consistent with early 1990s naval construction specifications, which according to publicly filed litigation records included asbestos-containing materials
  • Auxiliary steam and piping systems — Arleigh Burke’s auxiliary steam systems, steam-heated equipment, and associated pipe lagging incorporated asbestos-containing insulation materials consistent with early 1990s construction specifications
  • Gaskets and packing materials — Arleigh Burke’s engineering spaces and mechanical systems incorporated gaskets and valve packing consistent with early 1990s construction specifications, which according to publicly filed litigation records included asbestos-containing materials
  • Fire-protective and thermal barriers — Arleigh Burke’s combat spaces and engineering compartments incorporated fire-protective insulation materials consistent with early 1990s naval construction standards

VA Claims for USS Arleigh Burke Veterans

VA evaluates asbestos-related disability claims on a case-by-case basis. Veterans generally need evidence of in-service asbestos exposure, a current asbestos-related diagnosis, and a medical link between them. Gas Turbine System Technicians, Boatswain’s Mates, Fire Controlmen, Operations Specialists, and crew members who served aboard USS Arleigh Burke and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for VA disability benefits.

Product & Manufacturer Reference

The asbestos-containing products documented on U.S. Navy vessels and at shipyards are catalogued by manufacturer on AsbestosIndex. These records cross-reference which companies supplied which materials and to which facilities.

Pipe Covering & Block Insulation Thermal insulation applied to steam lines, valves, and equipment in engine rooms and fire rooms Marine Products Insulation, gaskets, and packing products specified for naval and commercial marine applications Boilers & Steam Equipment Boiler manufacturers and insulation products — central to the fire room exposure pathway Gaskets & Packing Sheet and ring gaskets used throughout piping flanges, valve bonnets, and pump housings Electrical Products Wire insulation, switchgear arc chutes, and panel liners used throughout electrical spaces Full Product Index Search all 200+ manufacturers and 1,500+ documented asbestos products on AsbestosIndex™

Navy Ratings Most Exposed to Asbestos Aboard Arleigh Burke

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the public asbestos litigation record document that the following Navy ratings worked routinely in spaces where ACM was installed, maintained, ripped out, and replaced:

VA Disability Claims for Asbestos-Related Disease

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates asbestos claims individually. A veteran generally needs medical evidence of a current asbestos-related disease, service evidence supporting in-service asbestos exposure, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Ship assignments, Navy ratings, and equipment records can help document the exposure history but do not create automatic service connection.

Approved claims may provide monthly disability compensation and related benefits. Survivors may separately qualify for Dependency & Indemnity Compensation when the applicable requirements are met. Civil lawsuits and asbestos-trust claims use different standards; claimants should obtain individualized advice about how the processes interact.

How to file a VA disability claim: VA claims are filed directly with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — not with a law firm. Start at VA.gov › Hazardous Materials Exposure, call 1‑800‑827‑1000, or get free help filing from a Veterans Service Organization: DAV, VFW, or American Legion.

VA Claims Guide on This Site › Compare: VA vs. Civil Lawsuit

Source notes: equipment-manifest entries (where shown) are sourced from public-record BUSHIPS (Bureau of Ships) documentation, NARA archives, and the public asbestos litigation record. Manufacturer attributions link to documented asbestos-product histories on AsbestosIndex.com where available. Nothing on this page constitutes medical or legal advice.