Smoking

[betrayed]

I entered the service in 1976. I didnt smoke. The only thing that we as recruits had to look forward to was called a "smoke and coke" If the company of recruits was good that day we would get a smoke and coke, or anytime something went well we would get a smoke and coke as a reward. Everyone piled into the lounge where there was buckets of sand for butt kits and three soda machines. If you didnt smoke like me you could stay in the barracks practically alone. So I started smoking. I would like to know how many of you started like me? I know that at some point in time my smoking will be the blaim for the denial of some SC issue. I think we should get a electronic depository of statements in support from people like me who were encouraged to smoke in the service. Then if you want print them and use them as evidence. :P

[Berta]

Jim- I heard that cigs were gov issue at one time and servicemen got them in their ditties or ration things.

The OG Pres op of Oct 2003 stated that secondary disability due to tobacco use- IF the initial SC disability might have somehow caused the secondary tobacco usage-this is not a bar to secondary SC benefits-

Vet smokes to calm his PTSD. Vet gets lung cancer. Vet can possibly get SC as secondary for the lung cancer.

The VA has to consider if the SC disability had any cause or nexus to the smoking disability,and

did use of tobacco produce a secondary disability as being a substantial factor in its development, and would the disability have occurred but for the veteran's smoking habit.

[Cavman]

Jim:

Here is one you won`t believe. When I got to Vietnam I had never smoked. I remember how I hated it when I had to pick up butts in boot camp (police call). I hated touching them. I was encouraged to smoke by my platoon Sgt. in Nam. They would come around and ask what kind you wanted and they were brought out in a couple days for free. I remember smokes were free and beer was $2.40 a case for either Falstaff or Black Label. We were told smoking could save our life by keeping us awake when sitting behind a machine gun at 3am on guard in the perimeter, I was even taught how to cup it so charlie wouldn`t see the fire. I remember the first menthol I smoked was in the early afternoon on patrol and it was over 100 degrees and humidity 100. I was stoned for a half hour. I don`t smoke now, but I did for a long time. Its still hard to stay off them.

Cavman

[Cavman]

Berta:

You know I`ve though if needed that I might file a claim like you mention regarding my tonsil?lymphnode cancer. Being they denied my AO claim, this might work. Have you ever heard of anyone being successful with a smoking claim?

If I get 100% on this appeal I won`t file anything else though.

Cavman

[Berta]

Here is one of the claims that were granted due to tobacco secondary disability:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp01/files01/0101135.txt

But this is before the General COunsel Pres op-

Here is a granted claim after the Pres Op was issued:

from:http://www.va.gov/vetapp06/files3/0618637.txt

"Consequently, the Board finds that COPD began as a result of

tobacco use related to tobacco dependency that was incurred

during service, and service connection for COPD is granted"

These are not easy claims and certainly rely very heavily on medical evidence.

[calnight]

I agree with caveman as far as smoking to stay up. I used chewing instead I to started in the military to help stay up on gaurd duty. and after almost 13 years i finally quit it was the hardest thing i have ever done. i was chewing a can a day. at 5.00 bucks a can times 30 days thats a 150.00 a month. chew is more expensive than ciggs. I used the patch and have been chew free for 3 months now. and still crave it bad right after ameal is the worst. my wife hated me for the first month think about living with someone with ptsd and trying to kick a habit more addicting then herion. also gained 10 pounds but its better than cutting off my jaw. the military still does nothing to warn servicemembers about the risks of tobbaco.

[Vike17]

Calnight,

"the military still does nothing to warn servicemembers about the risks of tobbaco."

Within the last 15-20 years the DoD has really been proactive in the fight against smoking while in the service. When I when through basic training smoking wasn't allowed, not even through AIT. Talk about guys bouncing off the barracks walls!!

You should also see all of the "Commercials" on AFN now about the harm smoking and chewing tobacco does. Its' unbelieveable sometimes the amount they broadcast.

Vike 17

Edited January 27, 2007 by Vike17