⚓ U.S. Navy — Rating Exposure Profile
Damage Controlman (DC) — Asbestos Exposure
Last updated July 11, 2026
Damage Controlmen were responsible for ship survivability — firefighting, flooding control, and hull integrity. DC work took them into every part of the ship under emergency conditions, and their training exercises in damaged or smoke-filled compartments regularly disturbed asbestos insulation that coated pipes, bulkheads, and decking.
Spaces & Work Areas
Damage Controlman (DC) sailors regularly worked in:
- Damage control central
- Void spaces
- Engineering spaces
- Berthing and living spaces
- All damage control stations
How DCs Were Exposed
DCs were trained to work in smoke, fire, and flooding — conditions that aerosolize and spread asbestos fibers from disturbed insulation. Firefighting foams sprayed on high-temperature asbestos surfaces and smothering fires in insulated engine rooms created dangerous fiber clouds. DCs also maintained fire-fighting equipment stored in asbestos-lined lockers and repaired asbestos-containing lagging after damage.
U.S. Navy ships built before approximately 1980 used asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials throughout their engineering plants and throughout the ship. Sailors in the Damage Controlman (DC) rating were among those most regularly in contact with these materials.
Ship Types Where DCs Served
Damage Controlman (DC) sailors were assigned across multiple ship types. Asbestos was used throughout all of these vessel types during the pre-1980 construction era:
VA Claims & Legal Options
DC exposure came through emergency response scenarios — often the most intense, short-duration fiber exposures aboard ships. VA and trust fund claims for DCs are well-supported; your damage control training records may document which ship compartments you worked in.
Two Paths: VA Disability & Asbestos Trust Funds
- VA disability compensation — Monthly benefit for service-connected asbestos-related disease. Requires a diagnosis, evidence of in-service exposure (your rating and ship records), and a nexus statement linking the two.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — Lump-sum payments from bankruptcy trusts funded by asbestos product manufacturers. Requires identifying specific products used aboard your ship class. Multiple trusts may apply to a single claimant.
These paths are not mutually exclusive — many veterans pursue both.
Navy veterans overview › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Damage Controlmen at risk when they were focused on ship safety, not engineering?
Precisely because their job took them into damaged compartments — where fires and flooding disturbed insulation. Burning or steam-blasted asbestos lagging releases fibers at high concentration. DCs responding to fires, flooding, and battle damage were exposed in acute, intense scenarios in addition to any routine exposure from inspecting and maintaining damage control stations.
Does the VA recognize damage control duty as an asbestos exposure pathway?
Yes. The VA's asbestos exposure policy covers all Navy ratings who served aboard ships with asbestos-containing materials, including damage control ratings. The VA does not require you to identify a specific space — demonstrating you served aboard an asbestos-era ship in a rating that involved contact with ship systems is sufficient to establish exposure.