Question:
I did not want to smoke in the Army. I was told by drill Sargent that I should smoke or pick up every one else's cigarette butts. I could smoke or I could do laps while every one else is smoking. The laps got me. I started smoking. Because of my PTSD, I used cigarettes as emotional pressure relief. I now have COPD. Do I have a claim? am now 70 percent PTSD.
Jim's Reply:
The VA disability system is structured so that a veteran may claim anything he or she feels is connected to their military service. Once we make a claim of disability we have to prove the nexus or connection between our service and our current diagnosed condition. If you're considering filing a claim for COPD because you were told to smoke in basic training, that isn't likely to be productive for you.