Too true Marshell!!! I remember ashtrays on every flat surface, and even on the beams!!! Ripped more than one shirt on them.
I think they kept the prices low on purpose, so they could then keep the pay low as well. In Key west in 69 I earned $42 a payday, just enough to get the essentuals for the next 2 weeks and leave a dollars worth of change for the phone and washing machines.
Same way in later years they raised basic pay less than inflation and made up for it with higher rates for allowances.
I didn't think anything about it until it was time to retire and found out how little half of my basic was.....very clever little so and sos!
Tim, Taking responsibility for Smoking and alcholism, both of which I have done, are on thing. But physical problems such as hearing loss, especially in the 50s through 70s when we didn't have the quality of safety equipment as is availible now is another. The majority of my career, 64-86, was spent around jet engines. I always wore my issue ear plugs and muffs, even specially dissigned flight helmets and still lost a good part of my hearing. There is new information coming out about varius health matters from issues that have caused health problems from the periods most of us were in and even in the last few years. Example, 2 years ago I had to have a back fustion, a few weeks ago an article came out that due the the design of the helicopter seats that have always been use have resulted in a high percentage of helo pilots and crewmen have had back fusions, even secretly while still on active duty, and a lot of them had a lot less hours than I have. So how are these health issues my responsibility?
How about cancer from breathing all the carbon dust for those that were in before the vaccum systems were around?? I remember going home and blowing my nose and....well you know the rest.
I used to smoke almost continuously. I figured breathing in through a cigarette was probably more healthy than just breathing in the carbon dust. Hopefully the cigarette burned up the carbon before it got into my lungs....
Greg, Jim,
I recall a few folks in Arg in 66-70 that decided to wear surgical masks for the entire watch and then hung them on the bulletin board. They were coated with carbon dust, (pre-vacuum system) and if I recall were not left hanging on the board too long.
Another issue that may be from the work we did was PAD due to the long hours standing, when Full Annotation was Required. We did not have time to do 40 and sit down before we had to start over.
Chuck
Several years ago I received a letter from the VA informing me that due to the job I had in the Navy I needed to get my lungs checked and reapply for disability benefits. (I assumed it was probably a form letter sent to all retired OT's). I complied with the letter but it didn't do anything for me. I was denied.
I got 10% for hearing loss, 20% for back and 60% for heart 70% total
If you don't mind sharing, how did you equate your heart to your military service? I'm working on a claim. Terry
Was having problems my last 2-3 years while in hawaii and was treated for high clorestrol. had some jaw pain and troule with shortness of breath doing PRT. about 4 years after I retired had 3 angioplasties, filed a claim for my back and coronary artery disease and got both. the doctor said i had to have had the condition while on active duty since it takes longer than 3 years to develop the disease.
Stay on them and get one of the service organizations (american legion, amvets, etc) to help you. If they disapprove appeal it and make sure you have all your records. good luck
Thanks for the info. My back and hearing shouldn't be much of a problem with a couple of new studies that have come out resently, and the heart is still worth a try with the stress signs in my record. Good luck to you too.
I collect benefits for my hearing loss and Tinitus. The key is to show a progressive loss over time. You can do this through your re-enlistment physicals if they show a continuous degreation of hearing. all together my loss equals 50%. check out your physicals and look at the hearing section. The VA will not check these out for you. You have to show them you progressive loss of hearing.
Robin
I retired in 2007 and although I was dubious of the whole VA process, I was amazed how easy it was. Maybe I was lucky and the Bremerton, WA office is especially efficient. The VA person went through my medical record and found things I didn't even remember. She made medical appointments for me to see three different types of doctor. I ended up getting disability for tinnitus and arthritis, the latter caused by a series of foot injuries that were definitely service-related.
I was amazed that the audiologist I saw said I had no hearing loss. My first 12 years in the Navy were in the IUSS, and other than loud watchfloor music, that probably didn't cause much hearing loss. But when I cross-rated to STS, my required audiograms got worse every time. The predominant theory was that when your hearing got significantly worse, Navy medical just changed your baseline figures to reflect the new low. Not sure if that's true or not. I know for a fact that my hearing became progressively worse in my last ten years in the Navy, but the VA doctor said that wasn't the case, so be it. My wife will attest that I am legally deaf.
Hearing loss can be service connected by the VA if you can show that you experienced it during service (compare entrance and discharge physicals) or if you developed a compensible level hearing loss within one (1) year of discharge. That is the norm with VA, but some Regional Offices are stricter, some easier. Best bet is to file a claim, and see what transpires. For tinnitus, you need only show that you have it, have a reasonable explanation for developing it (it results from acoustic trauma) and the one trick question is that it had to have started during service; can't have started after discharge. Can be all the time, or it can come and go. Disability level is set at 10%; can't be any higher than that! Advice to use a VSO (Am Legion, VFW, etc) is good, or use a CVSO if your state has them. Vietnam vets should be aware that VA has just added three (3) new presumptives to the Agent Orange list. Ischemic Heart Disease, Parkinson's and B Cell Leukemia. Anyone who set foot in RVN (or Korean DMZ 69-71) and later develops one of these will be s/c by VA. Big issue at the moment, and lots of vets have been affected. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in American men. If you are or know a VN vet, mention it!