⚓ U.S. Navy — Attack Submarines

Los Angeles SSN-688

The Los Angeles SSN-688 consisted of 39 vessels. Like all U.S. Navy attack submarines built during the asbestos era, these ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout their engineering plants. Veterans who served in engineering spaces aboard Los Angeles SSN-688 ships may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Exposure Aboard Los Angeles SSN-688 Ships

Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material in U.S. Navy attack submarines built before approximately 1980. Common sources of asbestos exposure aboard Los Angeles SSN-688 vessels included:

  • Pipe lagging and block insulation in boiler rooms and engine rooms
  • Gaskets at pipe flanges throughout the engineering plant
  • Valve stem packing and pump seals
  • Turbine casing insulation and expansion joint material
  • Asbestos rope, cloth, and tape used for sealing and repair work

For detailed information on spaces and products specific to attack submarines, see the Attack Submarines asbestos overview ›

At-Risk Ratings Aboard Los Angeles SSN-688 Ships

The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard attack submarines of this era. If you served in one of these ratings, document it when filing a VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim.

  • Machinist's Mate (MM)
  • Electrician's Mate (EM)
  • Electronic Technician (ET)
  • Interior Communications Electrician (IC)
  • Hull Technician (HT)

Ships in the Los Angeles SSN-688 (39 vessels)

Ship Name Hull No. Notes
USS Los Angeles SSN-688 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Baton Rouge SSN-689 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Philadelphia SSN-690 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Memphis SSN-691 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Omaha SSN-692 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Cincinnati SSN-693 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Groton SSN-694 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Birmingham SSN-695 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS New York City SSN-696 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Indianapolis SSN-697 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Bremerton SSN-698 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Jacksonville SSN-699 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Dallas SSN-700 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS La Jolla SSN-701 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Phoenix SSN-702 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Boston SSN-703 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Baltimore SSN-704 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS City Of Corpus Christi SSN-705 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Albuquerque SSN-706 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Portsmouth SSN-707 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Minneapolis-st. Paul SSN-708 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Hyman G. Rickover SSN-709 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Augusta SSN-710 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS San Francisco SSN-711 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Atlanta SSN-712 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Houston SSN-713 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Norfolk SSN-714 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Buffalo SSN-715 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Salt Lake City SSN-716 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Olympia SSN-717 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Honolulu SSN-718 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Providence SSN-719 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Pittsburgh SSN-720 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Chicago SSN-721 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Key West SSN-722 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Oklahoma City SSN-723 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Louisville SSN-724 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Helena SSN-725 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded
USS Newport News SSN-750 Commissioned 1976-1989; early hulls contain asbestos; SSN-751+ (Improved 688i) excluded

VA Benefits & Legal Options for Los Angeles SSN-688 Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Los Angeles SSN-688 ships may be eligible for:

  • VA disability compensation — monthly benefit; requires diagnosis plus evidence of shipboard service. No manufacturer identification needed.
  • Asbestos trust fund claims — lump-sum payments from trusts funded by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers (Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and others). Requires identifying specific products used aboard.

These two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many veterans pursue both.

Full claim guidance for Attack Submarines ›   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

Did Los Angeles SSN-688 ships use asbestos?

Yes. The Los Angeles SSN-688 was built during the era when asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval construction. Engineering spaces aboard these vessels contained asbestos pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and valve packing. Veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or repair roles had the highest likelihood of exposure.

How do I prove I served aboard a Los Angeles SSN-688 ship for a VA claim?

Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) lists your ship assignments. Additional documentation includes ship deck logs (available from the National Archives), official orders, and buddy statements from fellow crew members. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you gather and submit this evidence at no cost.

What asbestos products were used aboard Los Angeles SSN-688 ships?

Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy attack submarines of this era included Kaylo pipe insulation (Owens-Illinois), Unibestos block insulation (Pittsburgh Corning), 85% magnesia pipe covering (various manufacturers), Flexitallic spiral-wound gaskets, and Johns-Manville pipe covering. A mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims maintains detailed product-identification databases for specific ship classes.

Did You Serve Aboard Los Angeles SSN-688?

If you or a family member served aboard Los Angeles SSN-688, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Sharing your service information is completely voluntary and may help build the historical record of shipboard exposure — information that can be valuable in VA disability and asbestos trust fund claims.

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